What are Qualifiers?
In PSA grading, a qualifier is a symbol indicating that while a card may reach a certain numerical level overall, one important metric fails to meet that level's standards and is therefore marked after the score. These symbols do not lead to a card being rejected for grading (unless it is so serious that it cannot be graded), but they often affect its market value and perceived value by collectors.
According to GRADEx's compilation, commonly used qualifiers in PSA include OC, MC, ST, PD, OF, and MK. These symbols indicate which part of the card is the reason for "not receiving a clean score".
Ratings and Market Impact: How Do Symbols Change Card Value?
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Symbols reduce value
According to Pre-War Cards' analysis, the market value of a signed card (such as 9 OC) is typically considered to be within the range of "two levels lower than an unsigned card." In other words, a 9 OC might be priced closer to a 7 than a 9. -
Symbol and Fraction Selection
Some collectors will choose "unsigned versions" of the cards, even if the score is slightly lower, because the cards are cleaner and easier to identify when displayed.
However, for extremely rare or high-priced cards, even if there are symbols or defects, they may still be accepted by collectors, as long as the overall appeal and rarity are strong. -
PSA Practice Changes in Recent Years
Some users have reported that PSA now prefers to include certain defects directly in the numerical score rather than adding symbols. Whether or not to add symbols for OC/ST/PD/OF will be determined by the appraiser on a case-by-case basis. -
Symbol severity will also be taken into account.
Two cards, both labeled MK, have vastly different values depending on the markings: one has slight pencil marks, while the other has large areas of imperfection. This illustrates that while the label indicates direction, the degree of flaw is the key factor influencing pricing.
Common symbols and judgment criteria
Below are the six symbols you originally listed, supplemented with explanations and judgment logic from online resources.
|
symbol |
English name |
Problem Type |
Key points and precautions for judgment |
|
OC |
Off-Center (Poor Centering) |
Image not fully centered |
Cards may be marked as OC (Out of Target) if the image deviates from the center of the border or if the left/right or top/bottom borders are unbalanced. PSA has a tolerance range (±5%) for certain score levels (e.g., ≥7 points). If the deviation is too large (e.g., 65:35), it may be marked as OC even if other conditions are good. |
|
ST |
Staining |
The surface has stains or discoloration. |
If the card is contaminated with glue, wax, pigments, moisture, or packaging residue, it may be marked as ST. If the stain is minor and not noticeable to the naked eye, it may not be marked. |
|
PD |
Print Defect |
Printing process defects |
If ink splatter, printing lines, printing misalignment, color difference, or ink spots occur during card printing, it is considered a PD (Printed Product) defect. These defects mostly originate from the production line rather than subsequent processing. |
|
OF |
Out of Focus (out of focus/blurred) |
Image is blurry and unclear |
If a photograph or image is printed blurry and the outline of a person is difficult to discern, it may be marked as OF. This is usually caused by poor printing focus or image alignment. |
|
MK |
Marks (marks/handwriting) |
The card was written or marked |
Cards with pen, pencil, or ink writing or embossing marks will be marked MK. These are traces that may be left during later use. |
|
MC |
Miscut (poor cutting quality) |
Cutting process error |
If the card is not cut accurately, the border is asymmetrical, part of the pattern is cut off, or part of the adjacent card is exposed, it is considered a miscut (MC). Compared to an incorrectly cut (OC) card, an MC error is more serious and is usually caused by factory cutting problems. |
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