PSA and Back Scratches

General
1

Hi everyone,

I was just wondering how much a small scratch or two on the back of a card would affect it’s grading at PSA. Is it an automatic point deduction or more? Or would the card still have a chance at a 10 if the rest was perfect (centering, edges, corners, front surface). Just trying to get a feel for what PSA lets slide when it comes to a reasonable 10 range (and 9, 8, etc).

I know I’ve seen some 10’s with one or 2 minor defects (factory line, slight edge silvering) but overall the card has great eye appeal. Just hoping to learn from all the people who have sent in cards with small scratches when you catch it in the right angle. I’ve attached a pic as an example. Thanks!

2

They take the whole card into consideration including scratches like you’ve shown.
Is just that enough to knock it out of Gem Mint status? Possibly.

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3

You MIGHT be lucky enough to get a 10 but you’re likely to get a 9 grade.

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4

This is why you put the cards down on a clean playmat and not directly on a table.

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5

Yeah I wish people would realize this more often. Such a shame. I was recently in my local card shop and they were showing me cards to buy out of sleeves and then just sliding them across the glass display cases and tables in the back… Unbelievable.

It’s also very difficult to see any of these small scratches when buying online. Makes me really want to only buy graded cards in the future and only send in stuff I pull myself from packs.

6

I was going to make my own thread but I’ll add it hear as its relevant.

What would psa make of this? The rest of the card is pristine. I know know there guidelines say it could automatically be bumped to a 5/6

imgur.com/dH9lqEa

7

I guess it could but I doubt it.

8

In your experience what would that usually knock it down to? Assuming the rest if the card is pretty much perfect? Wondering if its worth sending to psa or not

9

I’ve quit guessing on cards I can’t see in person cause it’s not fair to you if I’m wrong;)
Is that card super rare so you can’t find another to grade?

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10

Its 1st edition shining mewtwo, not super rare but fairly costly to buy another in decent condition.

11

That’s true. I’d send it in;)