Gem Mint. A PSA Gem Mint 10 autograph is a virtually
perfect autograph.
Attributes include bold writing, and no signs of
skipping, retracing by the original signer, or otherwise.
The autograph must be strong and clear for that particular
signer.
A PSA Gem Mint 10 autograph must not only be aesthetically
beautiful in terms of placement but it must also be
representative of the common/traditional autograph
patterns of that person.
MINT 9:
Mint. A PSA Mint 9 is a superb condition autograph
that exhibits only one minor flaw.
Some of the acceptable flaws include a very light
skip, a slight acceptable variance in boldness of the
autograph, or some other aesthetic issue such as undesirable
location if the location of the autograph hinders the
eye-appeal of the autograph, slightly, in some way.
NM-MT 8:
Near Mint, Mint. A PSA NM-MT 8 is a super high-end
autograph that may appear to qualify as a Mint 9 at
first glance but upon closer inspection, the autograph
may exhibit one or more flaws.
Some of the acceptable flaws include a slightly more
noticeable skip in the autograph, slightly inferior
boldness of the autograph, very slight fading, or some
other aesthetic issue such as undesirable location
if the location of the autograph hinders the eye-appeal
of the autograph, slightly, in some way.
NM 7:
Near Mint. A PSA Near Mint 7 is a very strong autograph
that may exhibit one or more flaws.
Some of the acceptable flaws include the fading of
the signature, a minor blemish or the existence of
wear on the autograph, significant skipping or bleeding,
or any other aesthetic flaw that may hinder the eye-appeal
may be allowable.
EX-MT 6:
Excellent-Mint. A PSA EX-MT 6 is a very presentable
autograph that may exhibit one or more flaws.
Some of the acceptable flaws include some degree
of even fading to the entire signature, a minor blemish
to one of more of the letters, extensive skipping or
bleeding.
A very slight retrace, by the original signer, may
be acceptable.
The location of the autograph may also be a more
significant issue within this grade if the display
quality is hindered in a more dramatic way.
EX 5:
Excellent. With PSA EX 5 autographs; aging is becoming
evident. The autograph is no longer bold but it is
still legible with the naked eye.
Smudging in a limited area of the autograph may be
present.
Fading or skipping with possible blemishes in a few
minor areas is acceptable.
A more significant retrace, though still limited
to approximately 25% or less of the signature, by the
original signer, may be acceptable.
VG-EX 4:
Very Good-Excellent. A PSA VG-EX 4 is an autograph
that may feature advanced fading where some letters
within the signature can only be deciphered under close
scrutiny.
The autograph must still be approximately 75% visible
to the naked eye.
A more significant retrace, though still limited
to approximately 35% or less of the signature, by the
original signer, may be acceptable.
VG 3:
Very Good. A PSA VG 3 is an autograph that is noticeably
faded throughout.
The autograph must still be approximately 50% visible
to the naked eye.
Advanced degrees of the above mentioned defects might
be more noticeable at this stage with major eye-appeal
issues clearly visible.
GOOD 2:
Good. A PSA Good 2 is an autograph that exhibits
significant flaws.
The autograph may have lost up to approximately 75%
of it visible content, to the naked eye.
PR-FR 1:
Poor to Fair. A PSA PR-FR autograph is one that exhibits
extreme loss of eye-appeal and can barely be deciphered,
even by experts.
The autograph is virtually unrecognizable to the
naked eye and even experts may need the assistance
of advanced technology to identify the signer.
Most of the autograph may be worn away or faded leaving,
perhaps, on a few visible letters or worse.
For additional information on grading standards,
please visit: PSA/DNA
