Grading means sending a card to a professional company that inspects it, gives it a condition score, and seals it in a tamper-evident plastic case called a slab. Graded cards are easier to buy and sell because buyers trust the grade.
The main grading companies
- PSA (Professional Sports Authenticator): the largest and best-known for sports cards.
- BGS (Beckett Grading Services): known for subgrades and the rare “Black Label”.
- SGC (Sportscard Guaranty): popular for vintage cards, with fast turnaround.
- CGC: a well-known grader of comics that also grades cards.
The same card at the same grade can sell for different amounts depending on the company, so compare like with like.
What the numbers mean
Most companies use a 1 to 10 scale. At PSA, a 10 is “Gem Mint” and a 9 is “Mint”. BGS uses half-points and adds four subgrades.
What graders look at
| Area | What they check |
|---|---|
| Centering | How evenly the borders line up, front and back |
| Corners | Sharpness, with no rounding or dings |
| Edges | Smooth with no chipping (common on coloured borders) |
| Surface | Scratches, print lines, dents, stains or creases |
Should you grade your card?
Grading costs money and takes time. Before you send a card, ask yourself:
- Is it valuable enough? Look up recent sold prices for the card raw and in high grades. If a high grade wouldn’t sell for well above the grading fee plus shipping, it’s usually not worth it.
- Is the condition really strong? Look under a bright light, ideally with a magnifier. Off-centre cards and soft corners rarely get top grades.
- Do you want it for your own collection? Grading also protects and authenticates a card you plan to keep.
Grading fees and turnaround times change often. Always check the company’s current price list before you submit.
How to submit (the short version)
- Create an account on the grading company’s website and pick a service level.
- Put each card in a penny sleeve and a semi-rigid “card saver” holder.
- Fill in the online form and pack the cards securely.
- Ship with tracking and insurance, then wait for your grades.
Want to see what graded copies sell for? Use the eBay sold links in our Price Guide and add the grade, such as “PSA 10”, to the search.
Look up what your card sold for
Our Price Guide links straight to real sold listings.