Who decides which is worse??

[JollyElm]

When a card is submitted for grading to PSA and it has multiple problems, conventional wisdom says the grader chooses which is the worse of the bunch and attaches that particular qualifier to the card, since they only use one on the slab. (I'm reasonably sure that statement is not 100% accurate, but rather I use it as a general assessment of the issue.)

With that being said, I ran across this card on ebay (not my card, nor do I know the seller, etc.) and saw the 'ST' qualifier. I thought to myself, "Seriously? The picture is falling off the side of the card! Shouldn't it be OC??"

s-l1600.jpg

In quickly looking at the auction pics, the 'stain' is not readily apparent, so it is most likely of the general see through gum/wax variety on either the front or the back. If that is indeed the case, wouldn't most collectors believe this card's O/C or MC anomaly is much more egregious than whatever stain is on it?? Granted, the slab isn't in hand (I know, I know, buy the card not the grade. Ugh!), so it's possible, but not very likely, that the stain is more serious than it seems.

My question is this: Who decides what specific qualifier a card gets when multiple issues are present? Is it up to the grader(s) alone, or is there an official hierarchy of qualifiers that determines which is 'worst,' sort of like how a flush beats a straight in poker?

[swarmee]

I don't see an answer on PSA's page or their message board.

My guess is if the flaw is difficult to see with the naked eye (like small stains or marks), they would go with that since the off-centeredness is easy to determine through the slab. If they're both visible/noticeable, then probably the worst one. You'd have to send them an email and find out in 6-8 weeks.

[savedfrommyspokes]

Or, when the grader was selecting a qualifier from his grading software he mistakenly hit the "ST" instead of the "MC"....

[JollyElm]

Originally Posted by savedfrommyspokes

Or, when the grader was selecting a qualifier from his grading software he mistakenly hit the "ST" instead of the "MC"....

Wait, you mean human error. No way! That's not possible!

[Empty77]

Originally Posted by swarmee

I don't see an answer on PSA's page or their message board.

My guess is if the flaw is difficult to see with the naked eye (like small stains or marks), they would go with that since the off-centeredness is easy to determine through the slab. If they're both visible/noticeable, then probably the worst one. You'd have to send them an email and find out in 6-8 weeks.

Exactly my thought before scrolling down to see it already articulated---that the most logical approach would be to provide the info that's less obvious to any non-expert observer (or an observer PSA presumably guesses is most likely to buy it based only on scans, as I suspect at least 90% of modern transactions are, and not be even more peeved when they get it in hand than they already are at themselves, for agreeing to buy only half a card in the first place ).

[JollyElm]

I don't care how bad the stain is, how does such a ridiculously miscut card, where you can actually see parts of 2 or possibly 3 other cards, not get the MC or OC qualifier first and foremost???

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[frankbmd]

My white whale is any card graded 10(ST).

Still searching.

[tschock]

Originally Posted by frankbmd

My white whale is any card graded 10(ST).

Still searching.

Frank, still searching for that perfectly centered, game used Lewinsky RC...

[jchcollins]

Originally Posted by frankbmd

My white whale is any card graded 10(ST).

Still searching.

No such animal. 10's can't have qualifiers.

[sshissler]

I have wondered the same thing, for example, how can 2 cards that are obviously off center, have the same grade and one not have the off center qualifier.

For example, following are a few cards, all sent in for grading at the same time, with the option checked to include a qualifer. In my opinion, the grades are sort of all over the place. Some are obviously off center with no qualifier. Maybe the lower the grade they don't use the qualifier?

Ernie Banks Graded Collection by steveshissler, on Flickr

Ernie Banks Graded Collection by steveshissler, on Flickr

Ernie Banks Graded Collection by steveshissler, on Flickr

Ernie Banks Graded Collection by steveshissler, on Flickr

Ernie Banks Graded Collection by steveshissler, on Flickr

[swarmee]

https://www.psacard.com/resources/gr...andards/#cards
Yes, the lower the grade, the more lenient standards for centering. Same for some stains.