PSA is rolling out new holders with what it calls “increased security features”. The company first indicated new plastic encapsulation material was on the way during a luncheon at last summer’s National Sports Collectors Convention but it wasn’t until Tuesday they were ready to unveil the finished product to the public.
At first glance, the new holders may look exactly like the familiar holders PSA has used since its launch in the early 1990s. But in addition to now adding a hologram on the back of the inserts, a major yet subtle change to the holders themselves is aimed at improved safety and security for the PSA and PSA/DNA-certified collectibles they house and protect.
“On their face, the old and new holders look virtually identical, and the front of the new holder retains the familiar PSA look. It’s the construction on the side of the holder and the way it functions that clearly separates the two versions,” explained Joe Orlando, President of PSA and PSA/DNA.
“Most of the holders used by PSA since 1991 until now were constructed in such a way that the two components, the ‘male’ and ‘female’ parts, met in the middle where the sonic weld is placed. Along the edges of the previous holder, where the two parts come together, you will find a groove that extends around the perimeter of the plastic,” Orlando pointed out.
“The new holder is different because instead of two pieces meeting in the middle, the top piece now envelops the bottom. This removes the groove that existed along the edge and leaves a smooth appearance around the outside instead. In addition, while the new holder is slightly thicker, they have a stackable reverse which works with old holders as well. In other words, even if you mix old and new holders, they can still be stacked together.”
PSA has also upgraded the back of the PSA insert labels, replacing the simple, silver foil stamp along the back with a reflective hologram.
The new holders are now being used to encapsulate standard-size cards and thicker, modern patch cards certified by PSA. In the coming months, PSA will be rolling out various new holders to accommodate the different-sized cards it grades.
“As part of our ongoing enhancements of products and services, such as adding embedded holograms on Certificates of Authenticity and Letters of Autheticity, we’ve also been working with collectors and dealers for many months about ways to improve our holders,” said Orlando.
“This is a better, more secure holder that looks great while preserving the look of PSA brand. We plan to announce a re-holder special for those who wish to have their cards encapsulated in the new model. That announcement will be made after all of the new sizes are available from the manufacturer.”
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