Grading 201: Why Pack-Fresh Cards Still Miss a 10 | Mike Baker
From Collector Nation by Collector Nation
June 2, 2026 · 46 min · Season 1 · Episode 80
About this episode
Ryan Alford and Mike Baker discuss the nuances of card grading beyond surface-level opinions.
Welcome to Grading 201 — the next-level conversation collectors need after they already know the basics. Ryan Alford and Mike Baker break down what actually changes a grade once you move beyond surface-level opinions and start looking at cards the way a grader does. From edge chipping and centering to die-cuts, autos, and the factory issues that collectors often overlook, Mike explains why some cards that look perfect still fall short of a 10. The conversation also touches the bigger grading landscape, including PSA’s volume, scaling challenges, digital review, and how tech can improve efficiency without replacing experienced eyes. This is the episode for collectors who want to submit smarter, buy sharper, and develop a more disciplined eye for grading. Topics Covered What actually makes a card a 10 Why “pack fresh” can still grade lower How graders look at corners and edges Why some defects are obvious and others are subtle The role of centering and surface in modern cards Why different card types need different eyes How Mike Baker thinks about grading at scale What collectors should take from grading 201 Links Collector Nation https://www.collectibles.show/…
People in this episode
Host: Ryan Alford
Guest: Mike Baker
Topics covered
- card grading
- grading standards
- pack-fresh cards
- grading defects
- collector insights
- grading technology
Keywords
- grading
- cards
- 10 grade
- defects
- centering
- surface
- collectors
- PSA
- grading technology
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: Collector Nation, PSA, MBA
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