Can someone explain these PSA grades?

[The-Cardfather]

I recently submitted these three 1975 Hostess cards to PSA for grading. I cut them myself from a pristine box using a professional cutting tool. I made sure that each card measured 2 & 1/2 by 3 & 1/2 inches so they wouldn't utilize a mylar sleeve (which aesthetically, I hate). I also made sure that the dotted lines remained intact and were well within my cuts. I fully expected all three cards to receive a grade of 10. I would have been disappointed if they received a 9 and an 8 would have surprised me. But I was absolutely dumbfounded when they each came back to me with a grade of 5. Am I missing something here? Can anyone explain this? Also, does anyone know if PSA has an appeal (for lack of a better word) process?

[RaidonCollects]

I just had a look at some 9 and 10s on ebay and it looks like they were cut down to the dotted line border. Maybe the grading standards need that size card for higher grades?

Owen

[glynparson]

usually a card graded a 5 that appears to be mint may have either some sort of staining or hidden wrinkles or creasing or factory indentations (such as roller marks). also if cut on severe angels even if extra it can and does effect the grade.

[puckpaul]

it was cut from a box, what does a 9 or 10 mean anyway?

[Republicaninmass]

IME a 5 is a wrinkle on the back, a 3 is a wrinkle on the front. All box bottoms are very tough, and usually have some printing or handling defects under close inspection

[swarmee]

Your centering and tilt on them are also pretty bad; If you are going to add that much border, you needed to have the dotted lines centered. Your goal of having 2.5x3.5 cards was probably unnecessary. You could still crack those cards out, trim them closer, and likely get a much higher grade.
That is presuming the backs are clean and no wrinkles.

[KCRfan1]

Originally Posted by RaidonCollects

I just had a look at some 9 and 10s on ebay and it looks like they were cut down to the dotted line border. Maybe the grading standards need that size card for higher grades?

Owen

Spot on +1

[rsdill2]

Originally Posted by The Cardfather

I fully expected all three cards to receive a grade of 10. I would have been disappointed if they received a 9 and an 8 would have surprised me.

When submitting to a TPG, never expect a 10 (or a 9...or maybe even an 8)

[Webster]

I just submitted some 52 Wheaties for grading at PSA. Was told "we no longer give numerical grades to hand cut cards" (They were slabbed Authentic, despite a full, crisp, cut).

Do they, or don't they currently give numerical grades to hand cut cards?

[RedsFan1941]

Originally Posted by rsdill2

When submitting to a TPG, never expect a 10 (or a 9...or maybe even an 8)

+1

[sflayank]

Read psa grading guidelines
They specifically state cards should be cut close to border for highest grades

[SMPEP]

The real question isn't "why didn't these cards get a 9 or 10?"

The real question is "Why on Earth would PSA give these numerical grade in the first place as they are obviously the wrong size?"

Another good question is "IF you choose to assign a grade to these, why on Earth would you choose a 5?" That seems pretty random. You could argue for a 1-3 (wrong size), or any number 7-10 (because these could be NM) just as easily as a 5. Which is all the more reason to assign an A grade.

[jhs5120]

Centering matters with hand cut cards. They don’t give the “OC” designation, but hose won’t grade about a 5 either.

[frankbmd]

Resubmit to Lucky Larry.

Guaranteed all will be 10s.