Condition intelligence
Understand the signals that make a card more or less likely to gem.
Compz helps collectors think probabilistically about grading — not just ‘send it’ or ‘skip it.’ Learn how spread, PSA 9 downside, population trends, and condition risk affect the decision.
Free signal examples
The PSA 9 floor is healthy enough that even a missed gem still returns profit. The PSA 10 upside is significant. Condition risk for this set is typically low — making this signal reliable when the copy is clean.
The raw-to-PSA 10 upside is real, but the PSA 9 floor is thin — a missed gem at this raw price is close to break-even or negative. The economics only work on a copy that is clearly above average.
The PSA 10 upside is large, but the gem rate for this card or finish is known to be low — and the submission fee is significant relative to the PSA 9 value. The math requires a gem to be profitable. If it doesn't gem, fees erase the margin.
The PSA 10 upside looks attractive, but the PSA 9 market value is close to the raw cost after fees. A PSA 9 result doesn't destroy you — but it leaves almost no profit. The card only makes sense when the copy is visually outstanding.
This set, parallel, or finish has a documented condition sensitivity — print lines, surface dimples, or holo texture that PSA grades more strictly than raw copies suggest. The card can still grade well, but you need to see the copy in hand before committing.