When did PSA add half grades?

I'm doing some late night searching for the first time and noticing PSA half grades, which I don't remember seeing before. Was this a change they made in the last few years or was I just oblivious previously? If it was a recent/semi-recent change what was the overall reaction? Did everyone with a 5 suddenly wonder if they had a 4.5/5.5? My OCD is making me cringe at the possibilities!

They did it a few years ago. Revnues were falling and the easiest way to generate more submissions was to start doing half grades. This also got the registery guys to resubmit more card. An 8 that they knew had no hope for a 9 now had a chance for an 8.5.

Long story short, PSA started doing what SGC and others have been doing for a long time.

Jay

Certainly it helped PSA increase its submission numbers. I wouldn't be surprised if someday someone starts grading things to exact percentages, like 8.62 or 4.19. Then everyone could resubmit in the hope of a slightly better grade!