PSA Brings Back Minimum-Grade Submissions — What It Means for the Hobby in 2025

In a move that balances collector control with professional grading standards, PSA (Professional Sports Authenticator) has reintroduced minimum-grade submission options for select service levels. Effective immediately, collectors using the Value Plus tier and above can specify the lowest grade they're willing to accept when submitting cards.

This policy change, quietly one of the biggest hobby developments of May 2025, gives submitters more protection and confidence — and it marks a partial return to an era when grading had a tighter relationship with market value.

What Is a Minimum-Grade Submission?

In simplest terms, a minimum-grade submission lets you say, “Only slab this card if it hits a certain grade. If it doesn’t, don’t encapsulate it.”

Here’s how it works:

• You send in a card and indicate a minimum acceptable grade, say a PSA 9.

• If PSA evaluates the card and determines it falls below that grade:

  • It will be returned ungraded, or

  • It will be slabbed and labeled “PSA Authentic”, based on your choice at submission.

This option was previously available in PSA’s system years ago but was paused due to high submission volumes during the 2020–2021 grading boom. Its return signals renewed confidence in PSA’s operational capacity and collector trust.

Who Can Use It?

PSA is currently offering this option to:

• Value Plus

• Regular

• Express

• Super Express

The basic Value tier (lowest-priced) still does not allow minimum-grade declarations — likely to prevent overuse and maintain high-volume efficiency.

More details can be found on PSA’s official submission guidelines page:
👉 PSA Services & Pricing

Why It Matters: Collector Impacts & Strategic Use

The reintroduction of minimum-grade submissions gives collectors a strategic safety net. Here's why it matters:

1. Protects ROI on Expensive Cards

Not every card is worth grading at PSA 7 or 8. For modern hits, especially chromes and autographs, anything below a 9 can destroy resale value. This option allows collectors to opt out of encapsulating under-performers, saving money and reputation.

2. Precision for Flippers and Breakers

Breakers, group submitters, and dealers now have more flexibility to grade only “gem-worthy” material, making bulk submissions more efficient and predictable. This also reduces the "junk slab" phenomenon of low-grade, low-value slabs flooding the secondary market.

3. Authentic-Only Strategy for Rarities

For vintage or ultra-rare cards where condition is secondary to authenticity, the “PSA Authentic” option still provides encapsulation and provenance without the stress of a numerical grade.

Think:

• Damaged Mickey Mantle rookie cards

• On-card signed memorabilia with edge wear

• Game-used cards with poor corners

Hobby Trends: Is PSA Shifting with the Times?

PSA's reintroduction of this feature feels like a smart move in response to:

• Market maturation: Collectors are savvier now and more grade-aware than ever.

• Submission trends: Many are cherry-picking top raw cards from breaks, shows, and eBay for flips.

• Grading competition: SGC and BGS still cater to niche collectors, but PSA’s dominance in resale comps gives it the edge — especially if it returns flexibility tools like this.

It’s also worth noting that PSA turnaround times and capacity have vastly improved in 2025 compared to the pandemic surge years. Minimum grades would have been unmanageable during the 2021 backlog — now, they’re a sign PSA is stable and ready for advanced collector tools again.

How to Use It in Your Next Submission

If you’re planning to use this new (or reintroduced) feature, here’s a quick checklist:

✅ Use the online submission center — choose Value Plus or higher
✅ Under “Grading Options,” look for “Minimum Grade” and input your threshold (e.g., PSA 9)
✅ Choose what you want PSA to do if the grade isn’t met:

• Return ungraded

• Slab as “Authentic Only”

✅ Package as usual and send with your declared value

You can always combine multiple cards with and without minimum-grade requests in the same submission form — but make sure to double-check your declared values to avoid pricing mistakes that bump you into higher tiers.

Bonus Tip: Use This With eBay Flip Strategy

If you’re buying raw cards on eBay with the intent to grade and flip, this feature could be your best friend.

For example:

• Find undervalued raw Prizm rookies or Bowman Chrome autos

• Use your eye for surface and centering

• Submit with a minimum of PSA 9 or PSA 10

• If the card fails? Get it back and resell raw — without being locked into a slab that kills the value

This “grade screen” tactic was popular among advanced flippers in 2018–2020, and it's poised to make a return.

📣 Final Thoughts

The return of minimum-grade submissions is a quiet but powerful change to PSA’s ecosystem — one that gives collectors more control, reduces risk, and enhances the overall grading experience. Whether you’re a dealer, investor, or a collector chasing high grades, this tool puts the power back in your hands.

As the hobby matures and grading companies evolve, it's exciting to see industry leaders like PSA reintroducing collector-focused tools that reward knowledge and strategy.