Poll: should PSA adopt a qualifier for exceptional centering?

[Peter_Spaeth]

I think this is a simple yes or no in terms of the poll part of it.

[lowpopper]

PCGS (same company as PSA) has put positive qualifiers on
their coins for many years now. Although the majority of us
who are “in the know” can make our own judgement calls,
the more novice consumer can certainly benifit from this concept.

Also, for what it is worth, I like what Card Country is trying to do
with their PC stickers.

This is coming directly from the Purple guy.

[vintagebaseballcardguy]

No. If I can't judge centering for myself, I don't need to be spending $ on cards. Also, if a TPG is going to add a qualifier for exceptional centering, we might as well do it Beckett style a break down all of a card's aspects.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

[MVSNYC]

I voted no.

If a card grades an 8 in most categories, for example, but is exceptional in one (or more) particular area (centering, registration, color, corners, etc), but is not quite a 9...it should then grade an 8.5 (in theory). This is what half grades are for.

[conor912]

Absolutely not. Centering is a criteria, just like corners, creases, etc. It should be baked into the grade. You start separating those out and the whole system becomes even more of a mess than it already is.

[Shankweather]

The simpler the system the better. We can look at a PSA 10 and see with our eyes whether it's 50/50 or 55/45. And if we want to know if it's 50/50 instead of 51/49 then eye roll emoji.

[jefferyepayne]

I'm in favor of less qualifiers vs. more. So I would say 'no'.

jeff

[PiratesWS1979]

I vote yes. Why, because it's starting to seem like the average collector has no clue and needs to be spoon fed.

[ruth_rookie]

Originally Posted by MVSNYC

If a card grades an 8 in most categories, for example, but is exceptional in one (or more) particular area (centering, registration, color, corners, etc), but is not quite a 9...it should then grade an 8.5 (in theory). This is what half grades are for.

As I was voting “no” I was mentally preparing the written defense of my decision. No need for me to explain my decision now, since MVSNYC suppliied my exact theory. In fact, I couldn’t have said it any better. IMO that’s what the half grade should be for. A technical 7 with damn near perfect centering should become a 7.5... not a 7 with a goofy little sticker.

[jcc6252]

No. If my net54 memory serves me correctly, some collectors even have differing opinions on what is considered centered for certain issues, such as T206. Is the name part of the border (my choice), or does the border start after the name?

[brian1961]

Absolutely not. The last thing we need is for PSA to have another lasso of leverage to have millions of previously-graded cards hauled back to them, just to have PSA study each one for a few seconds, and change the cert. In all likelihood, arguments would erupt, hearts would be punched with pain, and PSA stock will ascend with all the influx of business.

Collectors delight in gauging centering themselves, and the great pieces are pure "res ipsa loquitur" --- that great Latin phrase meaning, at least in the collectibles world,

The thing speaks for itself.

--- Brian Powell