PSA 8 in an old slab versus a newly graded PSA 7?

[Jenx34]

Originally Posted by bk400

The 7 is on the left.

Indeed, there is a fairly noticeable chip on the lower right corner of the 8, and the borders are more yellowish. It's close, but I think the centering is a touch better on the 7, and there is a small, but noticeable stain on the back of the 8.

In my humble opinion, the 7 is a better overall card and, therefore, a bargain at half the price of the 8. But herein lies all the debate.

The 7 has some surface noise that the 8 doesn't. Aside from the ink in the lower left border, there's also stuff in the lettering near the top (dirt? ink overspray?. Near the beard too. Just not as clean of a surface/image.

Centering has zero effect on the grades here. Personal eye appeal, perhaps.

Most of the time, small issues on the surface is what knocks cards at this level.down, and it's the easiest to miss.