Trading Card Grading Guide

This guide is designed to help collectors and investors understand the complex world of professional trading card grading. Third-party grading services like PSA, SGC, BGS, CGC, and TAG play a crucial role in establishing a card's value and authenticity. Understanding their different scales, philosophies, and nuances is essential for making informed decisions in the collectibles market.

This interactive guide is designed to help collectors and investors understand the complex world of professional trading card grading. Third-party grading services like PSA, SGC, BGS, CGC, and TAG play a crucial role in establishing a card's value and authenticity. Understanding their different scales, philosophies, and nuances is essential for making informed decisions in the collectibles market.

The assessment of a trading card's condition by all major grading companies is based on four fundamental attributes. While the pillars are consistent, the specific tolerances and weighting can vary. This section breaks down these core elements and other important grading distinctions.

📏 Centering:

Refers to how well the card's artwork is centered within its borders, both front and back. The alignment of the card's image within its borders. Measured by the ratio of border widths on opposite sides. Perfect centering (e.g., 50/50) is ideal.

📐 Corners:

Assesses the sharpness and integrity of the card's four corners. Any rounding, fraying, or dings will lower the grade. The condition of the card's corners. Sharp, pointed corners are desirable. Flaws include fuzziness, rounding, dings, or creasing.

🖼️ Surface:

Evaluates the condition of the card's surface for scratches, print defects, or other imperfections. The overall condition of the card's surface. Look for scratches, scuffs, print spots, or other blemishes that affect the visual appeal.

📏 Edges:

Examines the card's edges for whitening, dings, or other forms of wear. The condition of the card's edges. Look for whitening, chipping, or rough edges that can indicate handling or storage issues.

Most companies use a 1-10 scale. Some (SGC, BGS, CGC, TAG) offer half-points (e.g., 9.5, 8.5) for finer distinctions. PSA uses whole numbers only. This means a PSA 9 might encompass a broader condition range than an SGC 9.

Several companies offer grades above a standard "Gem Mint 10" to denote exceptional, near-flawless cards, such as "Pristine" (SGC, BGS, CGC, TAG) or BGS's coveted "Black Label" (for perfect subgrades on modern cards).

Authentic (AU/A/V): This designation means the card is genuine but cannot receive a numerical grade. Reasons include being undersized, having missing stock, extremely damaged, or if the submitter only requested authentication.

Authentic Altered (AA): This indicates a genuine card that has been modified (e.g., trimmed, recolored, restored). Such alterations almost always significantly decrease market value. Companies have different policies: some encapsulate with an "AA" label, while TAG will not grade altered cards at all.

Each major grading company has its own philosophy, market reputation, and specific nuances in their grading approach. Understanding these differences can be crucial for deciding where to submit your cards and for interpreting grades in the secondary market.

While PSA, BGS, CGC, and SGC are widely considered the "Big Four" and dominate much of the market, innovative newcomers like TAG are rapidly gaining traction. Beyond these key players, numerous other grading companies exist, offering varying degrees of credibility and resale value, some of which we will touch upon later.

Widely regarded as the industry standard, especially for sports cards. Known for its straightforward 1-10 whole-number scale and emphasis on overall eye appeal. It has distinctive red labels for its standard slabs, with newly introduced blue ones for autograph-only authentication.

Its detractors argue that it is inconsistent with its grading standards. They also note its long turnaround times and unpredictable upcharges for high-value cards.

Scale: 1-10 (whole numbers only, e.g., no 8.5).
Top Grade: PSA 10 Gem Mint.
Key Features: Strong market liquidity. Uses qualifiers (e.g., OC for Off-Center, PD for Print Defect) for cards with specific flaws that don't classify as altered.
Authentic Designations: "Authentic" (genuine, ungradable due to size/damage/request) and "Authentic Altered" (genuine but trimmed, recolored, etc.).
Market Nuance: The lack of half-points can create significant value jumps between grades (e.g., PSA 9 vs. PSA 10).

Highly respected, particularly for vintage cards, often recognized by its black "tuxedo" slabs. Uses half-points for precision.

SGC was recently acquired by the same parent company as PSA, which has led to some questions about the future of the company. However, SGC has thus far maintained its independence and not changed any of its well-regarded practices.

Scale: 1-10 (includes half-points, e.g., 9.5, 8.5).
Top Grades: SGC 10 GM (Gem Mint) and SGC 10 PRI (Pristine).
Key Features: Strong vintage appeal. Clearer labeling for altered cards in recent years.
Authentic Designations: "Authentic" (genuine, specific reason for no grade now often stated on label). Historically, "A" could be ambiguous. Does not numerically grade altered cards but may encapsulate with specific "Authentic" label indicating the alteration.
Market Nuance: The "tuxedo" slab is aesthetically popular and can enhance eye appeal, especially for vintage cards.

Known for its detailed subgrade system (Centering, Corners, Edges, Surface) and the coveted "Black Label." It rides on the Beckett brand, which has a strong reputation in the collectible market that dates back to Dr. James Beckett and his iconic price guide magazines. Former sub-brands were BVG and BCCG.

Scale: 1-10 (includes half-points). Final grade derived from four subgrades.
Top Grades: BGS 9.5 Gem Mint, BGS 10 Pristine (Gold Label), and the ultimate is the BGS Pristine 10 (Black Label)--perfect 10s on all four subgrades.
Key Features: Subgrades provide transparent assessment. Black Label commands significant premiums.
Authentic Designations: "Authentic-Altered" for genuine cards that have been modified (trimmed, recolored, etc.).
Market Nuance: The pursuit of a Black Label drives demand for modern card grading with BGS. Subgrades offer detailed insight into a card's strengths and weaknesses.

Offers comprehensive grading for TCGs, sports cards, and non-sports cards, using a 10-point scale with half-points.

Its sports grading division was formerly called "CSG," but this division was consolidated under the CGC brand to strong brand recognition in other areas of trading cards. However, this has led to confusion. The new slab design is well regarded for its aesthetic appeal and clear plastic, but it had many previous iterations that again led to confusion.

Scale: 1-10 (includes half-points).
Top Grades: CGC 9.5 Mint+, CGC 10 Gem Mint, CGC 10 Pristine (special label).
Key Features: Strong reputation from comic book grading. Clear labels for various conditions.
Authentic Designations: "Authentic (AU)" (unaltered but ungradable) and "Authentic Altered (AA)". May use qualified labels (like their green label for comics with significant defects) to denote issues while still grading.
Market Nuance: Growing presence in the card market, leveraging trust from other collectibles areas.

Differentiates with a technology-backed grading solution, scoring cards on a 1000-point scale translated to an industry-standard 1-10 grade. Its slabs are clear and very attractive, with laser-etched labels and a modern, clean design.

TAG is considered the new kid on the block. Some don't consider it to be relevant due to its currently microscopic marketshare. However, others consider it the future of card grading due to its objective, tech-driven approach. If there is one place of innovation in the card grading space, it is TAG.

One important note is that TAG has by far the most limited scope of what kind of cards it will grade. Due the in depth training required, there are may categories of cards that TAG will not grade. One of the key ones being that they will not currently grade vintage cards (before 1989).

Scale: 1-10 (includes half-points, except between 9 and 10). Derived from a 1000-point TAG Score. It also offers five subgrade for detailed assessment, all on a 100-point scale.
Top Grades: TAG 10 Gem Mint (TAG Score 950-989), TAG 10 Pristine (TAG Score 990-1000, less than 1% of cards).
Key Features: Focus on objective, tech-driven precision. Detailed digital reports. Its website has by far the most comprehensive report of any grading company. It has detailed photos of every card grading, with specific indicators of each and every defect that its AI uncovered.
Authentic Designations: "TAG V (Verified Authentic)" for encapsulation without a numerical grade. Strictly does NOT grade cards determined to be trimmed or altered (returned unslabbed).
Market Nuance: Appeals to those valuing cutting-edge technology and objective data in grading. The 1000-point scale allows for fine distinctions within a grade.

While PSA, Beckett Grading Services (BGS), Certified Guaranty Company (CGC), and Sportscard Guaranty Corporation (SGC) are widely considered the "Big Four" and dominate much of the market, innovative newcomers like TAG are rapidly gaining traction. Beyond these key players, numerous other grading companies exist, offering varying degrees of credibility and resale value. Below are some other grading companies that have gained at least some notoriety in the card collecting hobby:

HGA (Hybrid Grading Approach): Known for its custom, color-matched labels that can be designed to complement the card's aesthetics, often appealing to collectors who prioritize display. They also utilize AI in their grading process.
GMA Grading: Often cited as a budget-friendly option with quick turnaround times and attractive bulk rates, appealing to collectors looking to slab cards for protection without a high premium on resale value.
ISA (International Sports Card Authentication): Specializes in quick and efficient turnaround times at affordable rates, offering a practical option for cost-conscious collectors across various card types.
KSA Certification (Canada): A prominent Canadian grading company that handles a wide variety of collectibles, including sports cards, TCGs, and autographs, and is well-known within the Canadian market.
MNT Grading (Canada): Another significant Canadian grading service, recognized for its sleek, clear slabs and consistent grading, often favored by collectors in Canada.
CGA Grading: Known for its affordability and often offering flat-rate shipping, making it an accessible option for those looking to protect their cards on a budget.
Rare Edition: A newer player focused on high-end and rare cards, emphasizing detailed digital reports and a premium presentation.
Get Graded: Offers competitive pricing and aims for fast service, often targeting the modern and TCG card market.
APEX Grading: Gaining recognition for its detailed digital reports and innovative approach to grading, particularly for modern cards.
ARS Grading (Japan): A well-regarded Japanese grading company, particularly popular among collectors of Japanese TCGs, known for its specific grading scale and slab design.
Red Rocket: This is a satire company that was dreamed up on Facebook and has become an inside joke. If someone tells you to use them, they are laughing at you and think they are being clever. Block them immediately.

This table shows how different grading companies evaluate the same card conditions. Grades are aligned based on their equivalent conditions across companies.

Grade	Common Name	PSA	SGC	BGS	CGC	TAG
10	Pristine	N/A	10 PRI	10 Black Label	10 Pristine	10 Pristine
10	Gem Mint	10 Gem Mint	10 GM	10 Gold Label	10 Gem Mint	10 Gem Mint
9.5	Mint+	N/A	9.5 Mint+	9.5 Gem Mint	9.5 Mint+	N/A
9	Mint	9 Mint	9 Mint	9 Mint	9 Mint	9 Mint
8.5	NM/Mint+	N/A	8.5 NM/MT+	8.5 NM/MT+	8.5 NM/Mint+	8.5 NM MT+
8	NM/Mint	8 Near Mint-Mint	8 NM/MT	8 NM/MT	8 NM/Mint	8 NM MT
7.5	Near Mint+	N/A	7.5 NM+	7.5 Near Mint+	7.5 Near Mint+	7.5 NM+
7	Near Mint	7 Near Mint	7 NM	7 Near Mint	7 Near Mint	7 NM
6.5	EX/NM+	N/A	6.5 EX/NM+	6.5 Excellent Mint+	6.5 Ex/NM+	6.5 EX MT+
6	EX/NM	6 Excellent-Mint	6 EX/NM	6 Excellent Mint	6 Ex/NM	6 EX MT
5.5	Excellent+	N/A	5.5 EX+	5.5 Excellent+	5.5 Excellent+	5.5 EX+
5	Excellent	5 Excellent	5 EX	5 Excellent	5 Excellent	5 EX
4.5	VG/EX+	N/A	4.5 VG/EX+	4.5 Very Good/Excellent+	4.5 VG/Ex+	4.5 VG EX+
4	VG/EX	4 Very Good-Excellent	4 VG/EX	4 Very Good/Excellent	4 VG/Ex	4 VG EX
3.5	Very Good+	N/A	3.5 VG+	3.5 Very Good+	3.5 Very Good+	3.5 VG+
3	Very Good	3 Very Good	3 VG	3 Very Good	3 Very Good	3 VG
2.5	Good+	N/A	2.5 GOOD+	2.5 Good+	2.5 Good+	2.5 GOOD+
2	Good	2 Good	2 GOOD	2 Good	2 Good	2 GOOD
1.5	Fair	N/A	1.5 Fair	1.5 Fair	1.5 Fair	1.5 FAIR
1	Poor	1 Poor	1 Poor	1 Poor	1 Poor	1 POOR
A	Authentic	Authentic (A)	Authentic (A)	N/A	Authentic (AU)	TAG V (Verified Authentic)
AA	Altered	Authentic Altered (AA)	Explicitly labeled (e.g., "Altered", "Color Added")	Authentic-Altered	Authentic Altered (AA)	Not Graded/Returned Unslabbed

While this table provides a general guide to grade equivalencies, there can be variations in how different companies evaluate specific cards. Always consider the specific card and company grading standards when making comparisons.

The decision of whether to submit a card for professional grading or to keep it "raw" (ungraded) is one of the most fundamental and often debated choices in the card collecting hobby. There are valid reasons for both approaches, influenced by factors such as the card's value, rarity, condition, your personal collecting goals, and market liquidity. Understanding these factors is key to making an informed decision for your collection.

Professional third-party grading offers several significant advantages, particularly for certain types of cards:

Authentication and Protection: Grading companies provide expert authentication, verifying a card's legitimacy and detecting counterfeits or alterations. Once graded, the card is encapsulated in a tamper-evident, protective slab, offering superior long-term preservation against environmental damage and handling.
Value Enhancement and Liquidity: A high grade from a reputable company like PSA or BGS can dramatically increase a card's market value, often by multiples compared to an equivalent raw card. Graded cards, especially those with high grades, are also more liquid in the secondary market, as buyers have confidence in their authenticity and condition.
Consistency and Standardization: Third-party grading provides an objective, standardized assessment of a card's condition, reducing subjectivity between buyers and sellers. The established grading scales and population reports allow collectors to understand a card's rarity at a given condition level.
Improved Display: For many collectors, the encapsulated slab offers a professional and aesthetically pleasing way to display their most prized cards.
Insurance and Estate Planning: Graded cards have clear, verified values, which simplifies insurance valuation and estate planning processes.

While grading offers many benefits, keeping cards raw is often the preferred choice for various reasons:

Cost Savings: Grading fees can be substantial, especially for high-value cards or large submissions. Keeping cards raw avoids these costs, along with shipping and insurance expenses.
Immediate Liquidity and Flexibility: Raw cards can be bought, sold, or traded instantly without the waiting periods associated with grading submissions. There's no commitment to a specific grading company's standards or turnaround times.
Personal Preference: Some collectors simply prefer the tactile feel and direct interaction with a raw card. They might find slabs cumbersome or prefer to display cards in binders or top-loaders.
Lower Value Cards: For cards with a relatively low market value, the cost of grading often exceeds the potential increase in value, making it economically unfeasible.
Avoiding Disappointment or Devaluation: A card might appear Near Mint or better to the naked eye but could receive a lower-than-expected grade upon professional scrutiny, potentially devaluing it. Keeping it raw avoids this risk.
Condition Tolerance: Collectors building sets or focusing on specific players might be less concerned with perfect condition and more with simply acquiring the card.

High-Value Modern Rookies/Inserts: Almost always recommended to grade if the condition is strong. The potential for significant value increases is high, and buyers demand third-party authentication.
Key Vintage Cards: Strongly recommended to grade. Authentication is paramount for older cards prone to counterfeiting or alteration, and graded vintage cards command a substantial premium.
Bulk/Common Cards: Rarely worth grading unless a specific card has an unexpected surge in demand or a unique, verifiable error. The cost of grading will almost certainly outweigh the value.
Mid-Tier Modern Cards: This is where the decision is often debated. If the card is likely to receive a Gem Mint (9 or 10), grading might be worthwhile. If it's a 7 or 8, the value increase might not justify the cost, and keeping it raw could be preferable.
TCGs (Pokémon, Magic, etc.): High-grade chase cards from popular sets often benefit significantly from grading due to the strong collector demand for authenticated, protected examples. For play copies or lower-value cards, raw is typically sufficient.
Autographed Cards: If the autograph is authenticated (e.g., by PSA/DNA or Beckett Authentication), grading can add significant value and buyer confidence, especially for on-card autos.

Ultimately, the choice comes down to a collector's individual goals. For maximum value, authenticity, and long-term protection, grading is often the superior choice for high-value cards. For accessibility, flexibility, and cost-effectiveness, keeping cards raw remains a perfectly valid and popular option.

Navigating the world of card grading introduces several terms critical to understanding value and market dynamics. Here are some key concepts, particularly relevant when interacting with PSA:

Pop Count (Population Report):
The "Pop Count" refers to the total number of cards of a specific issue that have been graded by a particular grading company at a specific grade level. For example, a "PSA 10 Pop 5" for a 1986 Fleer Michael Jordan rookie card means only five copies of that card have received a PSA Gem Mint 10 grade. The Population Report (often available on the grading company's website) provides detailed breakdowns of all graded cards by year, set, card number, and grade.

Importance: Pop count is highly relevant for cards that are frequently submitted for grading and are likely to achieve high grades. A low pop count for a desirable card, especially in a top grade like PSA 10, indicates scarcity and can significantly drive up its market value. Conversely, a high pop count for a common card in a common grade may not add much premium. PSA is widely considered the ultimate source for population data due to their sheer volume of graded cards. For other grading companies, while they provide their own pop counts, consider the overall volume of that specific card type they grade to assess the true rarity indicated by their pop report.
Gem Rate:
The "Gem Rate" (often associated with "Gem Mint 10") refers to the percentage of a specific card submitted to a grading company that achieves the highest possible grade (e.g., PSA 10). It's calculated by dividing the number of Gem Mint cards by the total number of that specific card submitted for that specific issue.

Importance: A low gem rate for a particular card suggests that it is inherently difficult to find in pristine condition or challenging to grade a perfect 10, making those few 10s even more valuable. Collectors may consider a grading company's overall gem rate for certain card types when deciding where to submit, as some companies are perceived as "tighter" or "looser" graders, though official standards are in place.
Qualifiers:
A "Qualifier" is an additional designation PSA may add to a card's numerical grade. It indicates that while the card meets the criteria for its assigned numerical grade in most aspects, it has a significant flaw in one specific area that prevents it from getting a higher straight grade. Common qualifiers for PSA include:
- OC (Off-Center): The image on the card is not centered within the borders according to PSA's standards.
- ST (Stain): The card has a visible stain.
- MK (Marks): The card has writing, ink marks, or other non-original marks.
- MC (Miscut): The card was improperly cut during manufacturing, often showing parts of another card or extremely uneven borders.
- PD (Print Defect): The card has a noticeable printing defect.
Cards with qualifiers typically sell for less than straight-graded cards of the same numerical grade, even if the numerical grade itself is high. For PSA Registry purposes, a qualified grade is often valued lower than its numerical counterpart without a qualifier.
Raw Card:
A "raw card" is a trading card that has not yet been encapsulated or graded by a professional third-party grading service like PSA. This term is used to distinguish it from a "graded card" or "slabbed card."
Slab:
The "slab" refers to the sonically-sealed, tamper-evident, clear plastic case in which a professionally graded card is encapsulated. It provides protection and displays the grading label.
Subgrades:
While PSA assigns a single overall numerical grade (1-10) to a card, some other grading companies (most notably Beckett Grading Services - BGS) provide "subgrades." These are individual numerical grades for key aspects of a card's condition: Centering, Corners, Edges, and Surface. These subgrades offer more granular detail on the card's condition. PSA does not offer subgrades.
Crossover and Slab Cracking:
A "crossover" submission involves sending a card that has already been graded by another grading company (e.g., BGS, SGC) to PSA, with the hope that PSA will re-authenticate and re-grade it, encapsulating it in a PSA slab. Collectors often do this to "cross" a card into a PSA holder if they believe it will receive an equivalent or higher grade, or simply because PSA cards generally command higher market values. You will often hear them say they "cracked" the slab.

When submitting for crossover, PSA typically requires you to specify a "minimum grade" you are willing to accept. If the card does not meet or exceed that minimum grade, it will be returned in its original holder.
Declared Value:
The "Declared Value" is an estimated market value that the submitter assigns to their card(s) when filling out a submission form for grading. This value is crucial because it determines which service level (and associated grading fee) your card qualifies for. Higher declared values generally correspond to higher grading fees and sometimes faster turnaround times.

Importance: PSA uses the declared value for insurance purposes while your card is in their possession and during return shipping. It's also the basis for "upcharges" if PSA determines, after grading, that your card's actual market value in its assigned grade significantly exceeds the declared value tier you initially selected. Being accurate with your declared value can help avoid unexpected additional fees.
Upcharge:
An "upcharge" occurs when PSA determines that the graded value of a card is significantly higher than the "Declared Value" initially provided by the submitter for that specific service level. In such cases, PSA reserves the right to charge an additional fee, moving the card to a higher service level's pricing tier. This is a common point of frustration for some collectors, as it can lead to unexpected costs, especially for cards that grade exceptionally well.
Turnaround Time (TAT):
The "Turnaround Time" is the estimated amount of time it takes for a grading company to process, grade, and return a submitted card. These times can vary significantly based on the service level chosen (e.g., Economy, Regular, Express) and the overall volume of submissions the company is receiving. During hobby booms, turnaround times can extend dramatically, leading to long waits for collectors.