PSA 9 Question
 

This question was inspired by the thread about altering cards to get high grades. But I thought it was different enough to deserve its own thread.

The first card shown in the other thread is a PSA9 1963 Topps King. Even in altered form, it still has a diagonal scratch on his elbow and a small white scuff or snow in the same area. Putting aside the alteration, should this have gotten a 9? I don't collect ultra-high grade stuff, so I don't really know. But I always assumed a 9 would not have surface damage like this.

That's a good question
 

Paul,

According to PSA's grading standards:

A PSA Mint 9 is a superb condition card that exhibits only one of the following minor flaws: a very slight wax stain on reverse, a minor printing imperfection or slightly off-white borders. Centering must be approximately 60/40 to 65/35 or better on the front and 90/10 or better on the reverse.

So in theory a minor stratch doesn't influence the grade. However, in practice a card with mint looking corners and a lot of surface wear should throw up red flags to the grader. Four razor sharp corners with some surface wear? No way.

It sounds to me like those fisheyes would still allow for a 9. But other flaws, like the scratches should disqualify it, just like a crease would.