What is the PSA Tolerance for Card Measurements?

vintagetoppsguy · #1 06-05-2019, 10:25 AM

If PSA is measuring cards, don't you think that's a sign of their incompetency? Measuring tools shouldn't even be available to the graders. If they can't look and tell a factory cut from a non-factory cut, something is wrong. Measurements are easy to manipulate. A factory cut is not.

steve B · #2 06-05-2019, 10:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vintagetoppsguy

If PSA is measuring cards, don't you think that's a sign of their incompetency? Measuring tools shouldn't even be available to the graders. If they can't look and tell a factory cut from a non-factory cut, something is wrong. Measurements are easy to manipulate. A factory cut is not.

I do think they should be measuring.

If they rely only on size, yes that's incompetent.

Older cards have a lot of difference in size. So edge quality is the primary thing, and at least in T206s, it usually survives a ton of abuse.

New cards are cut differently, and in most cases should all be exactly* the same size. Any variance should invite a lot of scrutiny.

*Many are die cut, some like Gypsy Queen, are sometimes die cut on some edges, and blade cut on others. I'm not sure of the natural accuracy of die cut cardboard, but the acceptable variance I believe should be less than 1/100th of an inch, likely a LOT less.

Peter_Spaeth · #3 06-05-2019, 01:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vintagetoppsguy

If PSA is measuring cards, don't you think that's a sign of their incompetency? Measuring tools shouldn't even be available to the graders. If they can't look and tell a factory cut from a non-factory cut, something is wrong. Measurements are easy to manipulate. A factory cut is not.

David, if you have followed BO you'll see Gary apparently is quite adept at mimicking factory cuts.

JollyElm · #4 06-05-2019, 03:16 PM

This thread I started a few years back about the cutting of 1962 Topps Green Tints may be of interest to you...

http://www.net54baseball.com/showthread.php?t=226221

So many of those cards seemingly came out of the factory short side to side. And I've seen quite a few GT's in PSA slabs that were clearly not 2.5 inches wide, so there is definitely some leeway in the measurements.

swarmee · #5 06-05-2019, 04:46 PM

I have never seen a specific tolerance requirement listed on PSA's website.

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