What does pop report mean?
A pop report is a census database maintained by grading companies like PSA and BGS that tracks the total number of copies of a specific sports card that have been graded and the numerical scores they received.
A Population Report (or "Pop Report") is a live database maintained by third-party grading companies like PSA (Professional Sports Authenticator), BGS (Beckett Grading Services), and SGC (Sportscard Guaranty Corporation) that tracks the total number of specific cards graded and their respective numerical scores. Collectors use these reports to determine the relative scarcity of a card in high-grade condition, which serves as a primary driver of market value.
Key Components of a Pop Report
- Total Population: The total number of copies of a specific card submitted to that grading company.
- Grade Breakdown: A distribution table showing how many cards received a specific grade (e.g., PSA 10, PSA 9, PSA 8).
- Pop Higher: The number of cards graded higher than the one being viewed. If a card is a "Pop 5, None Higher," it is among the five finest known examples in existence.
- Population 1 (Pop 1): A term used for a card that is the only one in existence at its specific grade, often commanding a massive price premium.
How Investors Use the Data
Investors analyze the PSA 10 Rate (the percentage of submissions that achieve a Gem Mint grade) to evaluate the difficulty of a specific set. For example, the 1986 Fleer Michael Jordan #57 has a total PSA population over 25,000, but only 324 have earned a PSA 10, making the "Gem Mint" version significantly more valuable than the "Pop 3,000+" PSA 9.
Market Limitations
The Pop Report is not a perfect census. It can be inflated by resubmissions or "cracks," where a collector breaks a card out of its plastic holder (slab) and resubmits it hoping for a higher grade without returning the original label (flip). This causes the same physical card to be counted twice in the database. Despite this, Pop Reports remain the industry standard for verifying supply and liquidity.
Related questions
What does "Pop 1" mean?
Pop 1 refers to a card that is the only example in existence to receive that specific grade from a grading company, indicating maximum rarity.
How often are PSA pop reports updated?
PSA updates their population report in real-time as soon as a grading order is finalized and shipped, providing the most current market data.
How does a low pop report affect card value?
A low pop report suggests high scarcity, which generally leads to higher market prices, especially for modern 'ultra-modern' cards where supply is often high.
Can a pop report be inaccurate?
Yes, pop reports can be inflated when collectors crack cards out of slabs and resubmit them for a higher grade without returning the original certification label.