When it comes to grading, there are grading scales, but then there also centering standards, requirements for the card surface, and other sub-issues that require a deeper dive in order to fully understand what you’re in for.
So, while we have recently talked about centering examples and the card centering tools, those things don’t really mean much unless you know what PSA allows, and will ding you for (or reward you for).
As such, here is a rundown of the PSA centering standards:
- PSA 10: Front 55/45 to 60/40, Back 75/25
- PSA 9: Front 60/40 to 65/35, Back 90/10
- PSA 8: Front 65/35 to 70/30, Back 90/10
- PSA 7: Front 70/30 to 75/25, Back 90/10
- PSA 6: Front 80/20, Back 90/10
- PSA 5: Front 85/15, Back 90/10
- PSA 4: Front 85/15, Back 90/10
- PSA 3: Front 90/10, Back 90/10
- PSA 2: Front 90/10, Back 90/10
- PSA 1: Front 90/10, Back 90/10
Looking at the above, here are a few takeaways.
Yes, 75/25 on the back for a PSA 10
One thing that stands out, and something I often forget about is the fact that while we are enamored with the front of the card, the back’s centering doesn’t matter as much.
Watched a Stryker video last night where he showed off a PSA 10 Julio Gold, and I realized i'm being way too critical when it comes to centering on the back of cards. This one is way off on the back side. pic.twitter.com/91lOG0jcE8
— Sox Stacks Matt (@SoxStacks) February 8, 2023
In fact, you know how many cards I haven’t graded because the back centering wasn’t great? A lot. I’m actually going to go back to my stash and make sure I don’t have anything that can realistically get a 10 in lights of this new information (or reminder, rather).
60/40 is much different 75/25
One thing people don’t realize is that when a card is in fact off-center, there are different degrees. Meaning, as you get further away from 50/50, the off-centering is going to be much more obvious.
Without getting too scientific, if you look at a card and you have to reason with yourself “is it 50/50 or is it off a bit more?” then it is most likely 60/40.
Those who would consider themselves PSA experts, do you think this is within PSA's 60/40 on centering? My card, and it's flawless otherwise. SGC definitely dinged it on centering pic.twitter.com/Q4BsLRdgv9
— Grand Salami Sports Cards (@GrandSalamiSC) March 11, 2022
On the other hand, if you look at a card and the centering immediately strikes you as being off, you’re probably dealing with something that is closer to 75/25 (or at the least, centered worse than 60/40, and thus taking it our of PSA 10 range).
As long as a card has a back, it can be a 9
Of course, this is a bit tongue in cheek, but the point remains. Back centering of a card really isn’t a huge concern for PSA given the fact that a PSA 10 could be off as much as 75/25, and a PSA 9 (and anything lower) can be 90/10.
PSA will give a card a 8 or 9 with 90/10 back centering with Rickey rookies. Why I always ask for the back pic regardless of grade
— ???Steel Wheels ??? (@wheeler281) August 28, 2023
So again, really, as long as the card has a back, and it hasn’t been completely torn off or misprinted to the point that it’s unrecognizable, the centering just needs to be decent for it to get a PSA 10, and existing (90/10) for it to be a PSA 9.
