Collectors Universe has a new CEO.

Executive Chairman Nat Turner (at left) has been appointed to the role after Joe Orlando stepped down from the spot in the company where he has worked for 20 years. Collectors Universe is the parent company of Professional Sports Authenticator and Professional Coin Grading Service which was recently acquired by an investor group led by Turner, D1 Capital Partners and Cohen Private Ventures.

"I’m so proud of everything we’ve achieved as a team at Collectors Universe over the last 20 years," Orlando said in a prepared statement. "I know this is the right time for me to step aside because the company is stronger than ever. Nat has already demonstrated that he knows what’s required to scale the business in order to meet customer demand while also protecting the company’s reputation that has been carefully built on trust, integrity and transparency. This was a hard decision for me but I’m looking forward to spending more time with my family and staying active in the hobby, my personal passion."

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Professional Sports Authenticator hit a milestone for Pokémon cards this month, proving that grading of gaming cards is a growing trend that isn't slowing down any time soon.

The one millionth Pokémon card graded was a Full Art Charizard GX from the 2019 Pokemon Sun & Moon Hidden Fates expansion set -- a PSA 10 copy -- and it's the latest big card among many graded since just 2016 when grading of this gaming franchise's cards exploded in popularity.

“The support shown by the Pokémon collecting community has been tremendous. The majority of the million cards were graded inside the last three years, which is quite remarkable,” Collectors Universe CEO Joe Orlando said in a prepared statement. “There is also a lesson to be learned here: Every generation defines what is nostalgic to them. Pokémon started its rise in the U.S. during the late 1990s. Today, the young people who were playing the classic game then are now well into adulthood. As a result, the game has enjoyed a kind of rebirth in the hobby. That fact coupled with the continued global popularity of the game enabled PSA to reach the million-card milestone.”

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Professional Sports Authenticator has a new president.

Steve Sloan has been tapped to lead PSA and PSA/DNA Authentication Services, according to an announcement from the company released on Tuesday. He'll replace Joe Orlando, who has served as its president since 2002 as well as the CEO of Collectors Universe since last October and will continue in his CEO role.

"While I will still be involved in PSA each day, my responsibilities have increased so it was time to pass the baton to someone who can focus on the day-to-day business," Orlando said. "Since taking on the role of Collectors Universe CEO, I have been working with Steve on the transition. Steve will be responsible for the performance of PSA moving forward and there is no doubt in my mind that he is the right person for the job.

"My contributions to PSA will continue, but it’s important that I further immerse myself in the other segments of the business, namely our coin division [PCGS] at Collectors Universe. ... The services and collectibles information we provide have become staples of the hobby for more than three decades. We simply want to build upon the outstanding foundation Collectors Universe already has.”

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As you may have seen here via The Buzz Twitter account last night, a PSA 9 copy of Mickey Mantle's iconic 1952 Topps baseball card sold for a whopping $2.88 million via Heritage Auctions. 

It set a new record for The Mick but came up short of the record of $3.12 million set by a PSA 5 copy of the famed T206 Honus Wagner tobacco card.

“The 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle is more than just a baseball card, it is pop culture art and the symbol of the card-collecting hobby itself,” said PSA President Joe Orlando. “This new auction record is not only a record for a 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle or any post-WWII baseball card, it is now the new standard for any card other than the 1909-11 T206 Honus Wagner."

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The longest-running sports card and memorabilia authenticator has hit a milestone.

PSA has authenticated and slabbed its 30 millionth collectible and it's an iconic one -- a 2000 Playoff Contenders Tom Brady Rookie Card. The milestone came earlier this week with a submission of cards from a collector based in Tampa, Fla.

“PSA is certainly very proud of reaching this significant number,” said PSA President Joe Orlando. “We’ve had so many different collectibles come through the doors here over the years that it seems only appropriate that future NFL Hall of Fame quarterback Tom Brady’s signed Rookie Card was recognized as our 30 millionth certified piece.”

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PSA has a couple of fan-friendly things to consider at this year's National Sports Collectors Convention if you're headed to Chicago.

If you visit the company's booth, you can enter for a shot at winning one of three game-used bats, pose for a photo with the bat you prefer for your own baseball card, and have it placed into a PSA slab -- free.

"The National Sports Collectors Convention is like the Super Bowl of the hobby, and each year we challenge ourselves to go bigger and better," said PSA President Joe Orlando. "So, this year we’re giving away Frank Thomas, Derek Jeter and Kris Bryant signed bats, all game-used and totaling over $10,000 in value. Each bat is graded a PSA/DNA GU 10. And that’s just the beginning of what will be available at the PSA booth."

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He was honored in Indy this weekend and his card sold for a big price. This 1998 Peyton Manning autographed card closed at $52,580: pic.twitter.com/pE4GUKU7A6

— Joe Orlando (@JoeOrlandoPSA) November 21, 2016

Sometimes a big sale speaks for itself, but a PSA 10 copy of one of Peyton Manning's top autographed Rookie Cards might say even more.

That's not a typo -- $52,580 for a card that's less than 20 years old. (Not bad.)

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Collectors who submit certified autograph cards to PSA in the future will notice something extra noted on their slabs now if they opt for an added feature from the grading and authentication company.

It's a grade noting the quality of the autograph.

"PSA has long been in a unique position since we offer the top certification brands in both PSA trading card grading and PSA/DNA autograph authentication," said PSA President Joe Orlando. "For years, we have provided card and autograph grading services in separate fashion, but now those services can be provided in one complete package."

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