Tracking a PSA Certified Item

[isaac2004]

I have gone on the PSA website and looked around to find an answer to my question but haven't gotten anywhere. I am looking to purchase an item that is inside a PSA tomb. I know that with most items, they rub that "DNA" ink on the item, but does that contain the sequence number for the item as well? Also, does PSA track the original person that obtained the COA? I am asking because the seller doesn't know how long the item has been in the tomb since he bought it in the tomb a few years back. Any info would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

[travrosty]

the number on the tomb is the only number you can put in the database to see if it is "deemed" authentic. the dna daubed "ink" on the item is ridiculous. best bet is to look at the signature to see if it is real, and if you buy it, bust it out of the tomb and enjoy the card or autograph the way God intended.

[RichardSimon]

"does that contain the sequence number for the item as well?" NO

Also, does PSA track the original person that obtained the COA? NO

Ask them if the tomb is acid free.

[Exhibitman]

So answering the OP question, you can look up the card by cert # on the PSA web site to confirm the cert # matches the slab cert # for the item [e.g., a Mantle signed card on the site should be a Mantle signed card in the slab]. It does not tell you when it was slabbed, who sent it in, etc., nor does it mean that the item is necessarily the item that was sent in. There was a scandal a few years ago over a dealer cracking cases and putting in lower grade cards then sealing and selling them. I suppose the same could be done to a signed item in a slab if a crook was so inclined. If you question the item itself, best to pass on it but if all you are looking to do is confirm that the item listed for the cert # matches the item you are looking to buy, then the site will give you that. As for the ink, as far as I know, it is just a streak and it fluoresces under a special wave length of black light. Pretty much useless for your purposes.

[isaac2004]

Thanks all, I was just interested in the origin of the item, since the seller had no clue.

What do you mean acid free?

[Baseball Fan]

Is it OK that, even though I don't care about PSA/DNA, that I love having my checks tombed by them because it looks attractive and I feel it protects them better than in my top loaders?

Because that's why I use PSA. I consider them my personal framer.

[mighty bombjack]

Originally Posted by Baseball Fan

Is it OK that, even though I don't care about PSA/DNA, that I love having my checks tombed by them because it looks attractive and I feel it protects them better than in my top loaders?

Because that's why I use PSA. I consider them my personal framer.

Why wouldn't it be OK? Though that could get to be a pricey service with bigger names, that's your prerogative in your hobby.

And you can always crack them out rather easily. Just PLEASE don't ask them to put a sticker on anything. That's nasty looking (and while people here love to slam TPAs for doing that, it is again at the prerogative of the collector/dealer/hobbyist who sent it in and specifically requested and paid them to do so).

[Runscott]

Originally Posted by Baseball Fan

Is it OK that, even though I don't care about PSA/DNA, that I love having my checks tombed by them because it looks attractive and I feel it protects them better than in my top loaders?

Because that's why I use PSA. I consider them my personal framer.

I feel the same way about their plastic slabs for postcards. In fact, I don't understand why the postcard printers didn't originally put an extra border all the way around them, with a red and white label on one end for the recipient to add notes. Not only would it make ALL postcards look so much better - it would be practical as well. You could then laminate the entire thing with some sort of rubber-like laminate so that they would be perpetually protected AND unbendable. Anyone know what it takes to get a patent?

Scott <=== dumbly continues to just put his in top-loaders

[RichardSimon]

Originally Posted by isaac2004

Thanks all, I was just interested in the origin of the item, since the seller had no clue.

What do you mean acid free?

Paper and plastic contain acid which can damage your item over time.
Does PSA use de-acidified plastic for their tombs??

[travrosty]

only their hairdresser knows for sure.


i wouldn't encase my collectible in a tomb for any amount of money. why are we entombing our collectibles. you can't hold it, you cant feel it, you cant inspect it.

its just under plastic, to what end? i dont like it.

i bust them out. i dont care how much the original person spent having it encased. they lost that money, not me. i once bought a james jeffries signed index card for 320, encased in psa plastic, i busted it out, and later sold it for about the same 320 unauthenticated. and the market had gone down slightly due to recession. i didnt lose any money, but the person who sold it to me spent 150 dollars to get it plasticized. they lost.