How does PSA treat autographs they don't authenticate?

Thinking about getting a card signed by one of my favorite guitarists who isn’t authenticated by PSA, and was just curious what happens if I get that card graded? Would it be considered “damaged” because the autograph isn’t in PSA’s system or would they just ignore the auto and grade the card as if it wasn’t there?

They can authenticate the card for you, I don’t think they could grade it. Unless you’re happy with a super low grade. Or just get the PSA case signed?

Okay thanks! I know with autographs in their database they just grade the card as if the autograph wasn’t there, but you think it’ll be a super low grade because they view it as damage? I’ll probably just keep the card in one of those thick screw down cases then! :blush:

They won’t grade the card if they can’t authenticate the signature.

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I think so yes, but perhaps other members can confirm. Green label or authentication would be the way to go IMO.

Edit: Well there you have your answer… Hope you’re not getting a super valuable Gem Mint? card signed.

So they wont grade the card or signature itself, But will they Authenticate the card and slab it? Or at least put it in a custom encapsulation?

I don’t see why they wouldn’t authenticate the card itself, but personally I’m not a huge fan of those green “Authentic” slabs so I’ll probably just put it in a nice screw down case!

I have never had them authenticate or grade the card if the Auto was not in their system.

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Makes sense to me they’re not grading the card itself, since you could just cover up some damages with a fake autograph.

Agreed, plus it would also be unfair to grade a flawless card super low.

OP, look into getting a custom/green label. You can add 4 lines of text with whatever you want.

The reason they don’t grade the signed cards that they can’t authenticate is because I can send in a bunch of fake signatures, get them graded and sell them as “authenticated” signatures. Obviously this would indirectly cause damage to PSA’s reputation

Yeah makes sense, although you could also have someone cover up damage with a real autograph that is in their system, it’d just be a much bigger hassle. And yeah I’ll look more into the custom green labels! Haven’t decided which card I’m gonna get signed yet, I was just wondering if I should take gradability into account, which I won’t now! Have a CoroCoro Shining Mew in excellent condition that I think will be a nice piece signed :blush:

cards in green slabs haven’t been authenticated btw, green slabs are custom encapsulation

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