The word "Graded" as is applies to PSA & SGC item titles

[drcy]

When I was little and would ask if something was "a" or "b," my professor dad would say "There may be other possibilities" or "It might not be an either/or. It might be a both/and."

Now you know where I got it from.

[botn]

Neither SGC nor PSA list Authentic on their list of "grades" however I think most collectors consider a card in a holder as graded even if the outcome is Authentic.

Not all card assessed as Authentic are altered. Cards which are larger or smaller than the factory specs, for instance, will get encapsulated with an A, if the submitter wants. And not all cards assessed with an A are NM or better. I see more that are chewed up.

[drcy]

Originally Posted by botn

Neither SGC nor PSA list Authentic on their list of "grades" however I think most collectors consider a card in a holder as graded even if the outcome is Authentic.

Not all card assessed as Authentic are altered. Cards which are larger or smaller than the factory specs, for instance, will get encapsulated with an A, if the submitter wants. And not all cards assessed with an A are NM or better. I see more that are chewed up.

And many autographed card submitters looking for the "A" don't even ask for or want a number grade, but just designation that the card (and autograph) is authentic.

[botn]

Originally Posted by drcy

And many autographed card submitters looking for the "A" don't even ask for or want a number grade, but just designation that the card (and autograph) is authentic.

Great point. I vaguely recall in the very early days of grading there had even been a discussion to not assign a numerical grade but to simply assess the card for authenticity. It was suggested that using a numerical grade distracted from the main purpose of assessing cards--to determine if they were altered. Anyone else recall that?