The Weird Popularity of Collecting PSA 1s

When most people think about sports card collecting, the goal seems obvious: chase Gem Mint 10s and build the sharpest, highest-graded collection possible. But a strange counter-trend has taken off in recent years collectors are actively seeking out PSA 1 cards, the lowest grade a card can receive. Yes, we’re talking about creased, scuffed, and even damaged cards in PSA slabs, and they’re more popular (and valuable) than you might think.

So, what’s behind the weird popularity of collecting low grade sports cards?

The Charm of Imperfection

A PSA 1 card tells a different story than a pack-fresh Gem Mint. The creases, rounded corners, and faded colours represent decades of actual use, kids flipping cards on playgrounds, tucking them in wallets, or storing them in shoeboxes. For many collectors, that lived-in look adds character. A beat-up 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle in PSA 1 doesn’t just feel like cardboard—it feels like history.

Affordable Access to Iconic Cards

One of the biggest reasons people collect PSA 1s is affordability. High-grade vintage grails are out of reach for most collectors. But a low-grade version still gives you ownership of the same legendary piece of the hobby, often at a fraction of the cost. For example, a PSA 1 Shohei Ohtani rookie might sell for thousands instead of hundreds of thousands. It’s still a grail, but one regular hobbyists can actually afford.

The Counterculture Appeal

In a hobby obsessed with perfection, chasing low grade sports cards has become a form of rebellion. PSA 1 collectors enjoy going against the grain—while everyone else is chasing pristine slabs, they’re building quirky collections of the “worst possible” copies. There’s a certain irony (and pride) in owning the bottom of the barrel, especially when it comes to iconic cards.

Every Card Has a Story

Unlike high-grade slabs that have spent most of their lives in storage, a PSA 1 almost always has a story. The damage raises questions: Who owned this before? How did it survive? Was it a kid’s favourite card that lived in their pocket? Collectors love that sense of mystery and connection to the card’s journey.

Collecting the “Bookends”

Some collectors even try to own both ends of the spectrum: the highest possible grade and the lowest possible grade of the same card. A PSA 1 and a PSA 10 side by side makes for a powerful display, showing the extremes of rarity, condition, and value.

The rise of PSA 1 collecting shows that the hobby isn’t just about perfection or investment. Sometimes, the flaws make a card even more interesting. Whether you’re priced out of high grades, love the look of worn cardboard, or just enjoy zigging when others zag, PSA 1s offer a fun, affordable, and meaningful way to collect.

At the end of the day, a low grade doesn’t mean low value, at least not to the collectors who see the beauty in imperfection.