PSA Flips/Holders - Tracking Changes Over Time

[Bosox Blair]

This has come up tangentially in other threads - the changes over the years are confusing when trying to ensure PSA cards are legit. Is there a thread anywhere on this Board, or a webpage anyone knows of where the changes over the years are discussed and illustrated with scans?

If not, I was thinking of starting on that with this thread. Please reply if you know of something already out there.

Cheers,
Blair

[MVSNYC]

i might be missing one label, but i just did a quick search on the internet to illustrate the evolution of PSA labels...

4- square corners, number listed below grade designation (current)
3- square corners, bolder type face (most of the 2000's)
2- round corners, thinner type face, old "PSA" type face at top, hologram on back (mid 90's-2000-ish)
1- round corners, "typewriter" type face, old "PSA" type face at top, hologram on back (original) (early to mid 90's)

[terjung]

Thanks for posting that.

Can we also show with pictures what the backs look like and with which front? (ie. this front goes with this back)

[Bosox Blair]

Thanks for the posts so far. I have it as a couple more than illustrated above. Plus the hologram changed from the PSA one to a Collector's Universe one. I should be able to organize a detailed post on this tomorrow.

Cheers,
Blair

[Bosox Blair]

OK - in the following several posts I'll try to define the different styles I have found in my collection...and borrowed (for the earliest style). So far I have 7 different styles, but I'm learning too, so I'm happy to hear from other members about any omissions...(I'll edit this post as I add scans and styles):

Style 1

I think this is the oldest style - this was used in the mid-90s I believe. Widely rounded corners on the white of the flip. Typewriter font. Zeros have strokes through them. Fat "PSA" top centre. (I don't have one of these in hand, so I'm not sure about the reverse of the flip, or about the slab markings, if any.) This scan was borrowed from a post by jp1216:

[Bosox Blair]

Style 2

This style was used in the late 1990s. The white corners are still rounded, but not as widely. Type font is changed to the one that has remained ever since (though at times it has been more bold/dark). "PSA" at top center remains fat and same font style. Reverse of the flip - the markings are on the holder, not the reverse of the flip. To the left, the white print is on the holder and can be felt with the finger. To the right, the hologram is PSA on a ball. On the holder itself there is a small raised PSA symbol in the lower right front corner (on this style, it is not on the reverse of the holder, nor is there a reverse numerical character...see later styles):

[Santo10Fan]

Originally Posted by Bosox Blair

This has come up tangentially in other threads - the changes over the years are confusing when trying to ensure PSA cards are legit. Is there a thread anywhere on this Board, or a webpage anyone knows of where the changes over the years are discussed and illustrated with scans?

If not, I was thinking of starting on that with this thread. Please reply if you know of something already out there.

Cheers,
Blair

I believe I have a style 6 according to your thread. One interesting quirk about my flip is that it is "bumpy" or "wavy" which I have seen discussed once or twice on this board. I checked the ink/spacing/font under magnification and there are no errors like the forged examples I’ve seen. The card is authentic 1969 Topps and holds true to PSA 8 standards. Plastic has the PSA logo in correct spots and no signs of scratching from reholder. I think board consensus on bumpys is likely human error but these slips always give me irrational pause…anyone else?

I agree with your theory on style 7 that the “numerical grade has been moved down to the line below the letters of the grade” but I think on the longer lines like "NM - MT" one it reverts back to the older spacing.

Good looking out Blair and I hope this thread continues to move forward.

[bobbyw8469]

This the THE ULTIMATE thread of the flips...

https://forums.collectors.com/discus...rchived-thread

The older ones anyway......