How the index is built — and why it can't be gamed.
The PSAI Score is the engine behind every number on this site. We publish exactly what goes into it — and keep the sub-formulas confidential so no one can reverse-engineer or manipulate it.
THE PSAI SCORE
Seven variables. One score.
Each variable is independently normalized to a 0–100 scale before weighting. The exact normalization methodology for each variable is reviewed annually by the Index Committee and is not published.
PSAI Score = ( SPI × 28% ) Sale Price Index
+ ( PRS × 20% ) Pop Report Scarcity
+ ( GP × 15% ) Grade Premium
+ ( PP × 14% ) Player Performance
+ ( HS × 12% ) Historical Significance
+ ( ML × 7% ) Market Liquidity
+ ( RW × 4% ) Recency Weight
The largest single weight. A rolling weighted average of verified sale prices across approved platforms, normalized against a 90-day baseline. Outlier transactions are identified and excluded before scoring.
EBAY VERIFIEDGOLDINALTPWCCHERITAGEOUTLIER REMOVAL
POP REPORT SCARCITY · PRS20%
Derived from PSA's population report at the specific grade level. Scarcity at grade is scored inversely — a PSA 10 with 12 copies in existence scores dramatically higher than one with 1,200. Cross-graded comparison is normalized.
PSA POP REPORTGRADE-SPECIFICCROSS-GRADE NORM
GRADE PREMIUM · GP15%
The price multiple commanded by this grade versus the same card at PSA 9. Measures how condition-sensitive the market is for this specific card. A high grade premium signals strong collector demand for perfection.
PSA 10 vs PSA 9CONDITION SENSITIVITYROLLING 180-DAY
PLAYER PERFORMANCE · PP14%
A composite of on-field statistical performance, award recognition, and career trajectory scoring. Updated via live sports data feeds. Allows rookie cards to rise in score even during periods of low sales activity.
LIVE STATS FEEDAWARDS INDEXTRAJECTORY MODELCAREER STAGE
HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE · HS12%
The most subjective variable — and the only one determined annually by the Index Committee rather than algorithmically. Accounts for a card's place in hobby history: first appearances, landmark moments, era importance, and cultural weight.
Sales velocity — how frequently this card trades hands across approved platforms over a rolling 90-day window. Distinguishes between cards that are genuinely valued and those that simply sit without changing hands.
90-DAY VELOCITYCROSS-PLATFORMVOLUME-ADJUSTED
RECENCY WEIGHT · RW4%
Intentionally the smallest weight. Measures how recent sales compare to the 6-month average — an early-detection signal for emerging trends. Kept low to prevent short-term hype from inflating scores.
6-MONTH BASELINEMOMENTUM SIGNALLOW WEIGHT BY DESIGN
INTEGRITY DESIGN
Why this formula is manipulation-resistant
Every design decision was made to prevent gaming, pump-and-dump schemes, and short-term distortion.
1×
ANNUAL REBALANCING
Composition changes only once a year. You cannot pump a card into the index mid-season.
7
INDEPENDENT VARIABLES
No single signal drives the score. Gaming one variable doesn't move the needle enough to matter.
4%
RECENCY CAP
Recency weight is capped at 4% of score. A viral week cannot override two years of market history.
90d
ROLLING WINDOW
Sale Price Index uses a 90-day rolling average. A single auction result cannot move the index.
∅
OUTLIER EXCLUSION
Statistical outliers are automatically identified and excluded before any score is calculated.
✓
COMMITTEE OVERSIGHT
Historical Significance scores are set by the Index Committee — not by algorithm or public vote.
DAILY PIPELINE
How values update every day
An automated pipeline runs each market day. No manual intervention — values publish by 9am ET.
01
INGEST
Pull verified sales from all approved platforms via API
Rebalanced PSA 100 / 1000 / 5000 take effect. Daily value updates resume under new composition.
FOR BUSINESS
How PSAindex generates revenue — without charging the hobby.
The index data is free. Always. That's what builds the authority that makes everything below valuable.
REVENUE ROADMAP
Three phases. Growing from authority.
Each phase builds on the credibility of the previous one. No monetization happens before the index is trusted.
PHASE 1 · MONTHS 1–12
Premium API Access
$2–5K
PER MONTH · EARLY ADOPTERS
Once reporters are citing the index, hedge funds, card investment apps, and auction platforms need programmatic access. The public site is free — the firehose is not.
Historical index data going back to launch
Real-time score feeds for individual cards
Bulk PSAI Score queries for portfolio valuation
Webhook alerts when scores cross thresholds
HIGHEST POTENTIAL
PHASE 2 · MONTHS 6–18
Index Licensing
$10–50K
PER DEAL · ANNUAL LICENSE
The S&P 500 doesn't just publish numbers — it licenses its brand to financial products. PSAindex can do the same. This is where the real money is.
Card investment funds that track the PSA 100
Auction platforms displaying the PSAI badge
"PSAindex Certified" grading integration
Media partnerships (ESPN, The Athletic, et al.)
Insurance and appraisal services using PSAI values
PHASE 3 · YEAR 2+
Sponsored Reports & Intelligence
$1–3K
PER REPORT · RECURRING
Weekly and monthly intelligence reports sold to serious collectors, dealers, and institutional buyers. Sponsored sections from hobby businesses that want to be associated with the standard.
A paid verification layer that lets sellers, dealers, and auction houses display an official PSAindex valuation alongside a listing. Like a Carfax report — but for cards.
Official PSAI Score at time of sale
Shareable certificate with QR verification
Integration with eBay, Goldin, Alt listing APIs
Bundle pricing for dealers and auction houses
PHASE 1–2 · QUICK WIN
Speaking & Consulting
$2–10K
PER ENGAGEMENT
As the creator of the industry standard, you become the go-to expert for hobby conferences, media appearances, legal disputes requiring expert valuation, and estate appraisals.
National Sports Collectors Convention
Expert witness — insurance & legal valuation
Media consulting for hobby stories
Corporate speaking on hobby as asset class
PHASE 1 · FIRST REVENUE
Pro Membership
$19–99
PER MONTH · INDIVIDUAL
Individual collectors and dealers who need more than the free public index. Access to historical data, portfolio tracking against the index, and early access to rebalancing nominees.
Full index history since launch
Portfolio builder — track your cards vs the index
Email alerts for score changes on tracked cards
Early access to rebalancing nominee list
THE FLYWHEEL
Why the free index is the business
Every Bloomberg terminal subscription, every S&P licensing deal, every Zillow Zestimate mortgage integration started the same way — with free data that became the reference standard. The moment a reporter writes "according to PSAindex" in a national publication, the licensing calls start coming.
STEP 1
Free index builds trust
Reporters cite it. Collectors reference it. The hobby adopts it as the standard.
STEP 2
Authority attracts business
Platforms, funds, and media want to be associated with the authoritative source.
STEP 3
Licensing pays the bills
API access, certification badges, and brand licensing generate real revenue.
STEP 4
Revenue funds better data
Better data makes the index more authoritative. The flywheel accelerates.