Separate genuine identity from condition
Authentication asks whether the item is genuine. A numerical grade places its condition on a defined scale. When the label does not provide a number, do not invent one from a photograph. “Looks like an 8” is an opinion about appearance, not the certification result being sold.
Authentic can appear in different service and item contexts. A hand-cut issue, a minimum-size decision or an authentication-only choice may need a different explanation. Authentic Altered expressly adds an alteration conclusion. Older label wording and the online record can vary, so transcribe both before comparing examples.
What the designation establishes and leaves open
This original reading table helps separate the recorded conclusion from questions for further research. It is not a diagnosis of any particular slab.
| Result | What to record | Next useful question |
|---|---|---|
| Authentic | Complete label and service context | Why was no numerical grade assigned? |
| Authentic Altered | Alteration designation and any documented detail | What alteration is known or visible? |
| No numerical grade; returned raw | Specific no-grade reason, if supplied | Was it rejected, ineligible or condition-related? |
| Questionable authenticity | Exact rejection wording | What evidence is needed before representing it as genuine? |
Common alteration questions
PSA’s standards describe issues such as trimming, recoloring, restoration, changed stock and cleaning as reasons a card may not receive a numerical grade. Some outcomes may qualify for Authentic Altered at the grader’s discretion. Read the applicable result instead of assuming every rejected card can be encapsulated.
For a buyer, the practical task is to understand what has changed and whether that matters to the collection. Ask for clear edges, corners, surface and reverse images. If the seller does not know the specific alteration, preserve that uncertainty in your notes. A visible mark is evidence of that mark, not proof of every possible prior treatment.
Do not confuse an intended hand-cut issue with later trimming
Some cards were originally distributed on panels or packaging and intended to be separated by hand. That context is different from cutting down a card that was normally distributed as an individual factory-cut card. The issue’s original format matters before anyone interprets its dimensions.
Use the manufacturer’s release information or an established issue reference to identify how it was distributed. Do not crop a card’s border to make it resemble a better example. For an already encapsulated card, document the relevant format and designation rather than opening the holder to investigate.
Build a comparison group that matches the problem
An altered card should not silently enter a price table for numerically graded, unqualified examples. Search for the same issue and similar designation, then compare the known alteration, visual appeal and completeness. A carefully centered but trimmed copy and a heavily recolored copy can attract different buyers despite sharing a designation.
Illustrative comparison: two Authentic Altered copies are offered at $200 and $300. The cheaper one has an unidentified alteration and limited photos; the other documents the altered edge. The $100 difference alone does not establish which is better value. First decide whether the evidence and appearance satisfy your collecting purpose.
Describe the actual result when selling or cataloging
Use the full designation in the title or condition description, and photograph it legibly. Keep the certification record with your inventory. If the alteration is documented, state it; if it is not, say the specific alteration is unconfirmed rather than inventing the least concerning explanation.
Authentication can still be useful to a collector who accepts the item’s condition and disclosure. The right question is whether the known object fits that collection at its price. Do not frame a future resubmission as a reliable way to erase the designation or manufacture a numerical-grade premium.
Frequently asked questions
Is PSA Authentic the same as PSA 1?
No. Authentic is a non-numerical designation. A PSA 1 is a numerical condition grade under the company’s scale.
Does Authentic always mean trimmed?
No. The designation can arise in different contexts. Read the complete label, service information and any documented reason rather than assuming trimming.
Can an altered card still be genuine?
Yes. Identity and originality of condition are separate questions. A genuine card can have been physically altered.
Will PSA always slab an altered card?
No. Eligibility and the exact outcome depend on the company’s rules and examination. Some no-grade outcomes can qualify at the grader’s discretion; others cannot.
Should altered and unaltered sales be mixed?
Keep them separate when estimating value. If an altered sale is included as context, clearly identify it and explain why it is not an equivalent comp.
Can I promise an Authentic card will grade numerically later?
No. That would claim an outcome not established by the current result. Describe the card and existing certification accurately.
Sources
Product checklists, definitions, and policies can change. These sources were reviewed on 2026-09-30.
- PSA grading standardsNo-grade definitions, discretionary encapsulation and intended hand-cut issues.
- PSA termsAuthentication, alteration and service decisions.
- PSA certification verificationCheck the complete recorded result for the specific item.
Card Collector Capital publishes educational research, not financial advice. Card prices, populations, checklists, and grading policies can change. Verify the exact card and current information before buying, selling, or submitting a card.