What’s New
PSA has officially reintroduced the minimum grade option for Value Plus and higher service levels. This allows you to set the lowest grade you are willing to accept on a submission. If the card falls below that grade, it will either be returned raw or encapsulated as PSA Authentic.
This feature had been paused since the COVID-era backlog. Now that PSA is processing over 1.5 million cards per month, it is back with a cleaner user experience and renewed focus on collector control.
Why Collectors Care
You now have the power to avoid receiving a PSA 6 or 7 when you only wanted a 9 or 10. This gives you more control over your collection and helps avoid low-value slabs.
However, PSA still charges the full grading fee even if your card does not meet your minimum. So while you can avoid an unwanted grade, you cannot avoid the cost.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Avoid low grades that hurt resale value
- Get back cards raw if they do not meet your standards
- Better control over your personal collection or flip strategy
Cons
- Full fee applies even without a grade
- Could slightly slow turnaround times due to added steps
- More pressure on your prep game to hit the mark
What It Means for Grading Companies
This change could reduce the number of low-grade slabs entering the market. It also helps PSA preserve slab quality and customer satisfaction. On the business side, it allows PSA to increase revenue per submission without increasing slab production.
Other grading companies may follow with similar control-based options, especially as competition in the space grows.
Why Your Prep Now Matters More Than Ever
If you are setting a minimum grade, you are telling PSA only to slab the best. That means the way you clean, sleeve, and ship your card is critical. A fingerprint, scratch, or ding during transit could cost you a grading fee with nothing to show for it.
That is why collectors are turning to the Grader’s Choice Shipping Kit.
How Grader’s Choice Helps You Hit the Grade
Our all-in-one shipping kit is designed to help you submit with confidence.
- Full-size microfiber cloth doubles as a prep mat
- Premium penny sleeves and semi-rigid holders
- Foam-protected Card Armor Box
- Secure outer box with no tape or razor required
- Clear barcode sticker for PSA submissions
- Practice sleeve and easy instructions included
Whether you are grading for long-term collecting or resale, the Grader’s Choice Shipping Kit helps protect your cards from the moment they leave your hands.
Final Thought
PSA minimum grade is a win for collectors who care about quality. But it also raises the bar for how you prep and protect your submissions. Avoid wasted fees and raw returns by using a kit built for serious grading.
Submit smarter. Protect your 10. Use Grader’s Choice.
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