PSA’s Grading Change: What It Means for Collectors & Card Values

Did PSA Just Tighten UP on 10s?

If you’ve ever sent a card to PSA hoping for that sweet, sweet GEM MINT 10, buckle up—because PSA just made it harder to get one.

Without a major announcement, PSA updated its grading criteria for centering. Previously, a PSA 10 could have 60/40 centering (meaning one side could be slightly wider than the other). Now, it has to be 55/45, meaning tighter standards and fewer 10s hitting the market.

Collectors first noticed this when fewer PSA 10s were popping up on recent submissions. Then, someone did the digging and found that PSA had updated their website quietly—no emails, no press releases, just a casual switch-up of the rules.

Why This Change Matters

For years, PSA has been the king of grading, and the pop reports reflect that. Take Luka Doncic’s 2018 Prizm Rookie PSA 10s—there are over 30,000 of them floating around. If you’re thinking, “Dang, that’s a lot,” you’re right. The more 10s in circulation, the less rare (and valuable) they become.

With stricter grading, the next wave of cards graded by PSA could be worth more because there will be fewer 10s in existence. But this also raises some big questions…

1. Does This Mean PSA 9s Will Go Up in Value?

Since getting a PSA 10 is now harder, PSA 9s may see an increase in desirability. Some collectors might opt for a strong 9 instead of gambling on a 10.

2. Will This Make SGC 9.5s More Valuable?

SGC has long been considered stricter than PSA, and their 9.5s don’t get the same love as PSA 10s. But with PSA now enforcing tighter standards, could an SGC 9.5 become more equal to a PSA 10 in collectors' minds? It’s possible.

3. What Happens to Old PSA 10s?

Here’s where it gets tricky. If PSA is now grading with a stricter standard, do the old PSA 10s still hold up? If you crack a PSA 10 and resubmit, will it come back a 9?

Collectors have already voiced concerns about reholders—if you send in an old slab for a new label, does it get re-evaluated under new standards? PSA has yet to clarify this.

Why Didn’t PSA Announce This?

That’s the million-dollar question. PSA floods our inboxes with promo emails and upcharges, but something as important as changing the grading standard? Silence. This lack of transparency has rubbed some collectors the wrong way.

One theory? PSA didn’t want to scare off bulk submitters. If people knew grading had gotten harder, they might hold off on submissions, affecting PSA’s revenue.

Final Thoughts

• This change will reduce the number of PSA 10s, potentially making them more valuable.

• SGC 9.5s and PSA 9s could see a rise in demand.

• PSA’s lack of communication leaves many unanswered questions—what happens to old 10s? Will people trust their standards going forward?

What do YOU think? Is PSA doing this to increase value, or is this just a sneaky way to control pop reports? Drop a comment below! 🚀👇