4-STAGE AUTHENTICATION & GRADING QUALITY SOP
Standard Operating Procedure adhered to for every secondary-market graded card prior to vault storage and customer shipment.
| Inspection Stage | Technical Methodology | Equipment Employed | Pass / Fail Criteria | Auditor Signoff |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stage 1: Optical Casing & Seam Audit | High-magnification perimeter stereomicroscopy along the ultrasonic sonic weld seam. | Stereoscopic Microscope (40x), Precision Caliper | No ultrasonic weld fracturing, frosting, or micro-gap splitting. | Senior Vault Conservator |
| Stage 2: 365nm UV Narrowband Fluorescence | Exposure to dual 365nm ultraviolet radiation in darkbox environment. | Dual 365nm UV Narrowband Laboratory Lamps | No counterfeit paper brighteners; PSA silver security watermark glows true. | Authentication Specialist |
| Stage 3: PSA Database Handshake | Bar-code scanner query directly against the official PSA Population & Cert Registry. | Handheld Laser Barcode Scanner & PSA API Feed | Exact match: cert number, card name, grade, set year, and high-res scan. | Compliance Officer |
| Stage 4: Archival Packaging & Vault Tagging | Insertion into resealable archival sleeve, rigid polycarbonate shield, and vault shelf assignment. | Archival Polyethylene Sleeves, Tamper Seals | Zero dust ingress, tamper-evident security tape intact prior to boxing. | Logistics Lead |
Optical Test Station
Calibrated illumination and stereomicroscope station utilized for high-resolution edge and surface examination.
Armored Transit Storage
Impact-resistant, waterproof Pelican-grade cases used for secure vault transport and high-value slab holding.
Packing & Sealing Hub
Barcoded parcel generation and tamper-evident sealing before scheduled Royal Mail dispatch.