What do OC, ST and PD mean on a PSA slab?
A flaw noted beside the grade.
The codes
What each one means
A qualifier is a two-letter code PSA prints beside the grade when a card has one flaw worse than the rest of it. A PSA 8 (OC) would be an 8 but for its centering.
| Code | Means | What PSA saw |
|---|---|---|
| MK | Marks | Any cards with writing, ink marks, pencil marks, or evidence of impression left from writing. |
| MC | Miscut | Cards that exhibit an atypical cut for the issue, which may result in portions being cut off or more than one card being visible. |
| OC | Off Center | Cards that are off center beyond acceptable parameters for the grade. A 5% leeway is given to front centering for PSA 7 or better. |
| ST | Staining | Cards with staining present that may impact the grade or receive this qualifier designation. |
| PD | Print Defect | Cards with printing defects that may impact the grade or receive this qualifier designation. |
| OF | Out of Focus | Cards whose picture is out of focus or out of register beyond what the grade allows. |
What it does
The grade stays, with a mark against it
- Buyers pay less for it. A qualified card sells for less than the same grade without one.
- You can ask for none. Say so when you submit and PSA gives a lower grade with no code instead, where it can.
- The rest of the scale. The PSA scale has every grade, and N1 to N9 are the cards PSA won't grade.
More terms, a line each, in the glossary.