A History Of PSA “Flips” (And How To Detect Fakes)

PSA (Professional Sports Authenticator) transformed card collecting by introducing a standardized grading system to the hobby.

The PSA slab, as it is known, is a sealed plastic case that protects a card and displays a condition grade. The card grade is presented on a label on the top of the case. Sometimes, collectors refer to this PSA label as a ‘flip.’

Over the years, PSA has changed the labels on its PSA holders (aka ‘flips’) and the actual plastic ‘slabs’ themselves.

Some variations are harder to distinguish, but it’s important to know the difference when buying graded cards.

This guide will help you distinguish the different PSA ‘labels’ and ‘slabs’ to help identify fake holders and labels.  

I haven’t encountered many fake PSA slabs, but they can usually be spotted if you know some telltale signs. 

We hope this guide on PSA holders is a useful resource.

PSA Flip Type #1 – The OG (1991-1992)

This is the first holder issued by PSA. The first ever card graded by PSA with the Cert# 00000001 was the famed Gretzky T206 Wagner card. And the one got PSA in a lot of hot water.

These initial PSA holders were only issued for two years and look quite different from modern PSA labels.

First, the font on these ‘flips’ (or labels) completely differs from those used in later labels. Also, the zeros have a distinct line, and the serial number bar code is much longer than in later versions.

Here’s the back of the Type One PSA holder.  Note the PSA hologram on the back of the flip, with the PSA logo on the left-hand side.  

PSA-graded cards in these holders were only issued for a few years and thus rarely come up for sale compared to later PSA holders. 

PSA Flip Type #2 – New Font, Smaller Barcode, PSA ‘Stamp’ (1992-1999)

The second holder issued by PSA had a completely new font that would remain (mostly) until today.  Note also the slashes removed from the zeros. The ‘flip’ still has rounded white corners, but the bar code is much smaller in width. The PSA text at the top of the label is no longer bolded.

Note that PSA also started stamping ‘PSA’ on the bottom right corner of the plastic case.  These PSA Slabs were issued from 1992 to 1999.

The rear of the PSA flip is mostly the same. 

PSA Flip Type #3 – New Hologram on the Rear of Flip (2000-?)

The third holder issued by PSA has a similar front label but a minor change to the flip’s rear.

The biggest change on the back of the slab is the hologram on the flip, which changed from PSA to a Collector’s Universe logo.

The other change is that the PSA logo is now imprinted on both the front bottom left corner and the rear right corner.

PSA Flip Type #4 – Font Change, Bar Code Aligned Left, No Changes to Back (early 2000’s)

PSA took an odd step back by changing the font to one like on their first issued flip, without the slashes in the zeros. Notably, the barcode was shifted to align with the left side of the label.  

Also, the grade of the card was pushed to the left and not aligned on the right like previous slabs.

The rear of the label wasn’t changed and still has the Collector’s Universe hologram.  These were Issued for an unknown period of time in the early 2000s.  

PSA Flip Type #5 – Fonts Changed Again,  Rear Label Changed

The fonts on the Type 5 flip were reverted back to the style on the Type 2 and Type 3 flips. Also, the white container on the label has been changed to square corners.  Another noticeable change is with the ‘PSA’ lettering in red on top of the flip. This is actually a tougher to find holder.

On the rear of the flip, the hologram is removed and the paper is a light blue.

PSA Flip Type #6 – Front Label Unchanged, Rear Label is Changed

The font and borders are identical to the Type 5 flip.  

The PSA logo on the back of the flip is identical to the Type 5, yet the paper is a darker royal blue, and the right-hand wording is changed to ‘A Division Of Collectors Universe’ from ‘A Collectors Universe Company.’.

PSA Flip Type #7 – Grade Number Moved To Next Line

Only significant change is that PSA moved the card’s numerical grade to the line below the condition descriptor (NM-MT in case of Dr J below).  

Rear of flip is unchanged.

PSA Flip Type #8- New Hologram On Front Label and Back Flip Lettering is New Hologram (2015-)

A small ‘PSA’ hologram has been added to the bottom middle of the front label. Otherwise, the rest of the label is identical to the previous flip. PSA introduced this new hologrammed flip in 2015.  

The back wording and lettering are identical to the previous generation flip, yet as shown below, the lettering is hologrammed.  

PSA Flip Type #9-  Cert Number and Barcode Added To Back of Flip

The front of the Type 9 Flip is identical to the Type 8, with only variations on the back of the label.

As shown below, the card’s barcode and cert number are added to the back label.

PSA Flip Type #10- New Lighthouse Flip Introduced (2017-Present)

In 2017, PSA stepped it up by introducing their new ‘Lighthouse’ holders.  As shown on the front, a new PSA hologram was “upgraded to proprietary Lighthouse ™ technology, creating an “on/off” illumination effect when rotated.”

The white paper of the flip was also upgraded. As PSA notes: “Instead of mere white behind the label copy, the wave-like brush strokes of “fugitive ink” embellish the background.”

The back of the flip was also updated.  As PSA notes:

The company’s trademark blue still spans the back of the label. While, a large, centered PSA Lighthouse logo is flanked by a stylized “PSA” (in lieu of “Professional Sports Authenticator”) and a QR code.  Tamper-evident fugitive ink graces the area below the blue background.

Note that these are the current PSA holders, so if you make any submissions today, you will receive these PSA holders.  

Tips For Detecting Tampered PSA Holders and Flips

There are several ways in which scammers will try to tamper with legitimate PSA slabs. 

The most common is when a scammer cracks a legit PSA slab and reinserts the card with a counterfeit or altered card.  

Thus, let’s say said scammer buys a PSA 9 card on eBay, they would then ‘crack’ the holder, removing the card.

They would likely buy a raw, lower-grade card for much less money and trim it to get close to Mint condition. Then, they could sell the newly resealed slab while resubmitting the initial ‘cracked’ card back to PSA.

Thankfully, the new Lighthouse holders make this process impossible due to the ‘fugitive ink’ and new holograms.  

Trying to piece together one of the newer holders is likely a tall task. However, the early holders are the ones that the scammer’s target, usually the ones without a hologram, as they are easier to split and would easily frost over when the halves were split,t and the seal was broken

PSA has a great security guide on its website discussing some of the things to look out for with cracked holders.   They note some of the key things to look out for with tampered slabs:

Frosting Along The Edges Of The Slab

When purchasing a graded card online, inspect the PSA slab for a frosted-type look around the outside edges. When scammers break a PSA holder (or ‘crack’) the holder in half to remove the card, the normal clear edges will become frosted.

From PSA:

One way the PSA holder may show tampering is what is commonly referred to as “frosting” along the edges, where the clear plastic starts to exhibit a cloudy appearance. In some cases, you can see minor fractures or cracks in the plastic as a result of the violation. This occurs when the sonic weld is broken and can be seen in various degrees. 

Here’s a cracked PSA slab with significant frosting on the left-hand side of the case. Image courtesy of Collectors forum.

I actually went to look up this CERT on the PSA website. I got the note that “Certification number 08121713 has been temporarily DEACTIVATED as a precaution due to its use on a known counterfeit in the market.”

Doubled Up Labels Used To Cover Up Original Flip

Another common scam is cracking a PSA slab and creating a new label to post over the original flip.  As PSA notes in their security guide:

Sometimes, a forger may attempt to simply add a fake front to a real PSA label. In turn, an extra layer of paper is used. As a result, if you attempt to do what we just described above while using a lamp or strong light, you will not be able to see through it. In essence, the label is now too thick to see the opposing side of the label. By utilizing this technique, you may also be able to see portions of the authentic label underneath, which may now be covered by the fake label on top. This is not always the case with forgeries, but it is an example of what some criminals will attempt to do and another way to avoid fraud. Furthermore, while the embedded hologram technology on the current PSA label acts as a deterrent, some forgers will try this technique by attempting to replicate an older style PSA label.

Fake Flips To Replace Original PSA Label

I’ve seen many Michael Jordan fake cards in cracked PSA holders that use forged PSA labels. When this happens, you must pay close attention to the style and fonts used by PSA. We also discuss Jordan rookies in fake flips more in detail here.

Here’s a fake card in a real PSA holder with a fake label using a legit PSA cert number for a PSA 9 Jordan.  

Here’s another thread from Blowout Forums showing a fake PSA 10 Jordan.  

Note: Look up the cert number on any PSA-graded cards before buying. On PSA’s website, you can also see any recent sales at eBay or auction houses. If data is available, look at the recent sales and ensure that the card for sale is the same card sold at any past auctions.

What To Do If You Have A Fake PSA Holder?

Unfortunately, PSA isn’t required to reimburse anyone who purchases fake PSA-graded cards. The onus in this scenario lies squarely on the buyer. However, I still recommend contacting PSA to help ensure the card in question is taken out of circulation or to help track down someone creating counterfeit PSA slabs.

The PSA Contact Number is (800) 325-1121. 

Additional Card Grading resources

• Sports Card Grading 101: The Definitive Tutorial
• PSA Grading Costs: 2024 Update
• Should I Get My Sports Cards Graded?
• Sports Card Grading Calculator
• The Best Card Grading Companies: A Collector’s Survey
• Collectors Forum PSA Flip History Guide