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🎯 PSA Brings Back Minimum Grade Option — What It Means for Collectors

  • Writer: Papi
    Papi
  • May 7
  • 2 min read

psa grade label with checkmark
Courtesy: PSA

📢 Big News for Card Graders: PSA Reintroduces Minimum Grade Option


Professional Sports Authenticator (PSA) is officially bringing back its Minimum Grade option. This move has been welcomed by collectors and dealers alike who want more control over whether their cards get slabbed—especially when chasing high-value grades like PSA 9s and 10s.


🔍 What Is PSA’s Minimum Grade Option?


The Minimum Grade feature allows submitters to set the lowest acceptable grade for a card to be encapsulated. If a card fails to meet that threshold, PSA will return it ungraded—keeping it raw rather than encased in a slab with a less desirable grade. Now, you could also choose to have it encased "AUTH" or authentic.


This is an option for collectors and sellers who only want cards encased if they meet premium grade criteria, like a Gem Mint 10 or Mint 9.


⚙️ How It Works: Step-by-Step


  1. Choose your Minimum Grade (e.g., 9 or 10) during the submission process.

  2. PSA will evaluate the card.

  3. If the card meets or exceeds your minimum, it gets slabbed.

  4. If not, it's returned ungraded—but the full grading fee still applies.


📈 Why It Matters for the Hobby


✅ Value Protection Cards graded lower than expected can hurt resale value. This option prevents that risk.

✅ Collector Confidence It ensures that only cards you're proud of get slabbed—keeping your display cases sharp and consistent.

✅ Strategic Submitting Especially important for high-end vintage or modern rookie cards, where a PSA 8 or below might not be worth the slab.


💸 Things to Keep in Mind


  • 🧾 Grading fees still apply even if the card is returned ungraded.

  • 🔍 Be realistic: Overestimating your card’s condition could waste grading fees.

  • 📉 No refunds for missing your minimum grade.


🧠 Wax Street Takeaway


The return of PSA’s Minimum Grade option is a win for serious collectors who are looking to maintain control over their card portfolio's perceived and market value. It adds another layer of strategy to the submission process—and gives you more say in what gets a slab.

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