A PSA 10 is essentially a perfect card—extremely well-centered, pristine corners, and no surface damage, blemishes, or imperfections. A PSA 9 is nearly perfect with only one minor flaw, such as a minor printing imperfection or very slight off-centering. A PSA 8 may look like a PSA 9 at first glance and is in excellent condition, but may show the slightest fraying on one or two corners or a minor printing imperfection or be very slightly off-center.
A PSA 7 may have surface wear like minor fraying or a small printing blemish and might be off-centered. A PSA 6 may have more visible surface wear or a printing defect that doesn’t detract from the overall appeal—more visible fraying, rounding of corners, or a light scratch. PSA 5 cards show minor rounding of the corners, more visible surface wear or printing defects. A PSA 4 has more visible surface wear, or several light scratches, and may be more noticeably off-center.