WHERE TO SEND YOUR CARDS FOR GRADING?

In the past couple of years, demand for grading services has surged to the point where multiple new companies have entered the card grading market. If you’re new to this process, it might be tough to choose between the grading companies. After all, with a range of prices, services, and delivery timelines – how can anyone clearly understand which one is truly the best option?

My approach isn’t perfect, but I’d encourage you to focus on four factors when choosing a grading company to take possession of your cards and assign them grades that will permanently impact their value:

1.) Reputation – is the grading company well-known? Is it well-liked? Are its slabs frequently challenged for authenticity or accuracy? Look on Facebook for user groups dedicated to buying and selling the cards of particular graders. Join and read the comments. You’ll see very quickly which grading companies are held in higher esteem.

2.) Liquidity – how easy is it to sell graded cards slabbed by a particular company? How many buyers are collecting cards from this grader? Look on eBay to see how many cards are listed vs. how many have sold in the past few months. Search for a valuable but commonly collected card – for example, 1985 Topps Mark McGwire rookie card, or 2018 Topps Chrome Ronald Acuna Jr. rookie card – and search to see which grader(s) seem to be more prevalent in the marketplace. Sold listings in particular will tell you how much demand exists for a particular grader’s slabs – and if you take a chance on a grader where the slabs have low market liquidity, you may be holding onto them for a long time, losing money on the sale, or both.

3.) Pricing – each grader charges different fees for the cards you’ll want to submit. Take a look at the links below, as I’ve linked directly to each company’s pricing page. As an example. some cards might not be cost-effective to grade with PSA right now, but they might be perfectly reasonable to grade with CSG at lower prices. But – will you get the same return on investment? That’s a tricky question, per the Liquidity note above; many collectors, this one included, will suggest that you get what you pay for.

4.) Turnaround time – over the past couple of years, pandemic-era demand blew up the businesses of all the major grading firms. They were deluged with millions of new cards to grade, and they simply couldn’t keep up. At the time of this writing, PSA still has orders of mine from over a year ago. Yikes! It’s getting better, though, as PSA and the other companies hire and expand aggressively to meet the increased level of demand. Before you choose a grading company, check in to see how long it will take to get your cards back. Many companies display their turnaround times prominently on their websites; if you can’t find it, just email their customer service and ask. The impact of, say, getting your cards back in 30 days vs. 120 days could be reason alone to choose one grading company over another.

With these factors in mind, here is a list of all companies that will grade your cards, along with core links to each company’s pricing, grading standards, and more:

- PSA

o My Review: PSA is the market leader in card grading – full stop. The others on this page are, in some cases, gaining ground (or seeking to do so) due to PSA being overrun with demand. As it stands, PSA is slowly reopening from a shutdown in April 2021, where it stopped taking new orders to focus on processing its backlog of orders. Now the backlog is nearly all worked, and by fall 2022 PSA should be reopen at all service levels. Why all the demand? The PSA 10 sells for more than any other 10, save for the Beckett Black Label. Dollar for dollar, you’ll get more for a PSA card almost every time, at almost every grade level, compared to other graders. Full Disclosure: I’ve submitted a LOT of cards to PSA, and their slabs make up the majority of my collection.

§ Company Description From Website: “Professional Sports Authenticator (PSA) is the largest and most trusted third-party trading card authentication and grading company in the world. Since its inception in 1991, PSA has certified over 40 million cards and collectibles with a cumulative declared value of over a billion dollars. PSA is a division of Collectors Universe, which has offices in California, New Jersey, Paris, Hong Kong, Shanghai and Tokyo. As the only third-party grading service to offer a guarantee on its services, PSA has emerged as the clear leader in authentication and grading for trading cards and other collectibles.”

o Learn More About How To Grade Cards With PSA at https://www.psacard.com/services/tradingcardgrading

o PSA Grading Standards / Grading Scale – https://www.psacard.com/resources/gradingstandards

o Which Cards Will PSA Grade?

§ Will PSA Grade Sports Cards? YES

§ Will PSA Grade Pokemon Cards? YES

§ Will PSA Grade Oversized or Undersized Cards? YES

§ Will PSA Grade Autographed Cards? YES

o Find Out How Much It Costs To Grade Your Cards With PSA at https://www.psacard.com/pricing

o Submit Your Cards Now With PSA at https://www.psacard.com/onlinesubmissioncenter

o PSA Card Grading Population (POP) Report: https://www.psacard.com/pop

- Beckett (BGS)

o My Review: Beckett (BGS) is a card grading service brought to you by the folks who produced the monthly Beckett Price Guide back in the 1980s and 1990s (it’s online now). Founded in 1999, Beckett (BGS) is considered to be a market leader though it typically ranks a distant second to PSA. The super-rare Beckett “black label” pristine 10 is highly desirable and carries a premium to the PSA 10. In addition, Beckett’s approach to subgrades (corners, edges, surface, centering), as well as its slightly thicker slabs, has made it a favorite of some collectors. Full Disclosure: I have not submitted cards to Beckett (BGS) for grading, but I do own some BGS slabs in my collection.

§ Company Description From Website: “Beckett Grading Services – or as commonly known, BGS - has emerged as the most-recognized name in the industry for its objective card grading services. It was named the Best Grading Service six consecutive years by Card Trade readers. BGS operates with the same honesty, integrity and excellent hobby knowledge you have come to expect from Beckett. Reliability and consistency are the hallmarks of Beckett Grading Services. Beckett Grading Services will provide collectors with the finest, most thorough, consistent and accurate grading efforts available in the industry.”

§ NOTE: Vintage cards (Pre-1981) will be slabbed as BVG (Beckett Vintage Grading), rather than BGS

o Learn More About How To Grade Cards With Beckett (BGS) at https://www.beckett.com/grading/

o Beckett (BGS) Grading Standards / Grading Scale – https://www.beckett.com/grading/about

o Which Cards Will Beckett (BGS) Grade?

§ Will Beckett (BGS) Grade Sports Cards? YES

§ Will Beckett (BGS) Grade Pokemon Cards? YES

§ Will Beckett (BGS) Grade Oversized or Undersized Cards? YES

§ Will Beckett (BGS) Grade Autographed Cards? YES

o Find Out How Much It Costs To Grade Your Cards With Beckett (BGS) at https://www.beckett.com/grading/services-and-pricing

o Submit Your Cards For Grading Now With Beckett (BGS) at https://www.beckett.com/grading/submission-forms

o Beckett (BGS) Card Grading Population (POP) Report: https://www.beckett.com/grading/pop-report

- SGC

o My Review: SGC is one of the older grading companies in the business, having started in 1998. Volume-wise, SGC is probably third behind PSA and Beckett (BGS). Yet, it has carved out a specialty niche in vintage cards – many collectors swear by SGC for vintage cards, insisting that its grading standards are tougher. There are also those who like the design of the SGC black-and-white “tux” label, and who will insist that older vintage cards look better in a tux. Value-wise, the SGC 10 seems to pull similar value to Beckett, maybe a little less. The market is clouded with earlier SGC slabs that used a 0-100 grading scale and a different colored label, so it can sometimes be frustrating for SGC collectors to look at different slab designs. As the newer design starts to be more prevalent, you can expect SGC fandom to continue to grow. Full Disclosure: I have not submitted any cards to SGC for grading, though I know many collectors who are active SGC customers. I own a small number of SGC slabs in my collection.

§ Company Description From Website: “Since 1998, SGC has been a well-established leader in the authentication and grading of trading cards. Our ability to provide accurate and consistent grades in a timely manner is a service that is unique to the card-collecting community and has made SGC one of the pillars of card grading for over 23 years. As our team continues to grow and our footprint continues to expand, our mission remains the same — to help build a better hobby for all collectors.”

o Learn More About How To Grade Cards With SGC at https://www.gosgc.com

o SGC Grading Standards / Grading Scale – https://www.gosgc.com/card-grading/submissions(click “more info” link in upper left corner)

o Which Cards Will SGC Grade?

§ Will SGC Grade Sports Cards? YES

§ Will SGC Grade Pokemon Cards? YES

§ Will SGC Grade Oversized or Undersized Cards? YES

§ Will SGC Grade Autographed Cards? YES

o Find Out How Much It Costs To Grade Your Cards With SGC at https://www.gosgc.com/card-grading/services-pricing

o Submit Your Cards For Grading Now With SGC: (Login Required)

o SGC Card Grading Population (POP) Report: https://www.gosgc.com/pop-report

- CSG

o My Review: CSG is a new grader that’s not really new. In early 2021, when many new grading companies launched to take advantage of PSA’s struggle with order volume, the established grading conglomerate CCG – which was already grading comics, game cards like Pokemon, Magic the Gathering, and Yu-Gi-Oh, coins, stamps, and many other items – decided to reenter the market for sports card grading. Its prices are low – that was the initial pitch – but because of the low prices, there is a glut of CSG slabs (with the now-discontinued “green label”) currently on the market. This results in low sale prices, which is not good for sellers. Even the comparatively rare CSG 10 – CSG is stingy giving out 10s – does not hold up price-wise compared to PSA, Beckett, or SCG 10s. Let’s be clear: Long-term, CSG is positioned for success. Late in 2021, the company was sold to an investor group including Fanatics, the company currently dominating the sports collectible business. CSG is also the “third party authenticator” for eBay sales of expensive raw cards. So it’s trusted, but the slabs aren’t yet pulling their weight in price. Full Disclosure: I have submitted cards to CSG for grading, but I do not own any CSG slabs currently.

§ Company Description From Website: “CSG is an expert, impartial and efficient third-party authentication, grading and encapsulation service for sports cards. We are backed by the same ownership and senior management team behind NGC, PMG and CGC — the world’s leading and largest coin, paper money and comic book certification services. CSG uses world-class expertise, advanced technology, innovation and operational excellence to provide sports card collectors and dealers with accurate, consistent and fast certification services. We also offer the industry’s strongest guarantee, which adds significant confidence, liquidity and value to the hobby.”

o Learn More About How To Grade Cards With CSG at https://www.csgcards.com

o CSG Grading Standards / Grading Scale – https://www.csgcards.com/card-grading/grading-scale/

o Which Cards Will CSG Grade?

§ Will CSG Grade Sports Cards? YES

§ Will CSG Grade Pokemon Cards? NO

· Will CCG Grade Pokemon Cards? YES, through their CGS subsidiary – check here https://www.cgccomics.com

§ Will CSG Grade Oversized or Undersized Cards? NO

§ Will CSG Grade Autographed Cards? YES (for additional fee)

o Find Out How Much It Costs To Grade Your Cards With CSG at https://www.csgcards.com/submit/services-fees/csg/

o Submit Your Cards For Grading Now With CSG at https://www.csgcards.com/submit/how-to-submit/

o CSG Card Grading Population (POP) Report: https://www.csgcards.com/population-report/

- HGA

o My Review: HGA is a card grader that launched in early 2021 when PSA was struggling with its backlog of orders. Its market positioning focuses on tech and design – namely, automated grading software and color-matched labels that really make the slabs pop. While it’s been a tough sell for collectors to trust automated grading – so far – the color matched labels are a big hit and you’ll often see collectors showing off their HGA slabs. Many other collectors taking a wait-and-see approach with this grader. Full Disclosure: I have not submitted cards for grading at HGA, and I do not own any of their slabs. Yet.

§ Company Description From Website: “Here at HGA we are sports lovers and collecting cards is our passion. We went from collectors to local card store owners, and now onto the grading company. We saw a huge need in the market for consistent grading. We decided to hire multiple companies to design and implement software that will allow us to scan, analyze, and grade cards without subjectivity. We believe that cards should receive grades based not on who is on the card, the value of the card, or whether or not a grader is having a good or bad day. The cards should be graded solely on the presentation of the card itself. So, we are developing unique software that detects edges for crispness, corners for sharpness, centering for balance, and surfaces free of blemishes; we feel that we will grade your card accurately 100% of the time. Also, our slabs are top of the line and are color coordinated with team colors to provide the most aesthetically pleasing cards ever seen. We are certain that once you try us out, you will agree.”

o Learn More About How To Grade Cards With HGA at https://hybridgrading.com

o HGA Grading Standards / Grading Scale – https://hybridgrading.com/grading/

o Which Cards Will HGA Grade?

§ Will HGA Grade Sports Cards? YES

§ Will HGA Grade Pokemon Cards? YES

§ Will HGA Grade Oversized or Undersized Cards? NO

§ Will HGA Grade Autographed Cards? YES

o Find Out How Much It Costs To Grade Your Cards With HGA at https://hybridgrading.com/our-pricing/

o Submit Your Cards For Grading With HGA Now at https://hybridgrading.com/how-to-submit/

o HGA Card Grading Population (POP) Report: https://orders.hybridgrading.com/pop

- ISA

o My Review: ISA is another card grading option that does not have a clear market niche. Founded in 2010, it’s been around for a while, but it doesn’t appear to have much market traction. I see advertisements for ISA more often than I see their slabs in circulation. I don’t imagine that they sell for as much as the big three (PSA, BGS, SGC), but I don’t have enough data to confirm that. If you’re looking for an alternative, maybe give them a look. Full Disclosure: I have not submitted any cards to ISA for authentication, and I do not currently own any ISA slabs.

§ Company Description From Website: “International Sports Authentication has over twenty years experience working full-time in the sports cards industry, and has been grading cards on a daily basis for those same two decades. Our founder is one of the hobby’s foremost experts in the field of card grading, because he loves sports and collectibles and has devoted his life to the industry: ‘Every day is exciting because you never know what historic collectible may come into the office.’ ISA is proud of its user-friendly website and freely welcomes customer input and questions.”

o Learn More About How To Grade Cards With ISA at https://www.isagrading.com

o ISA Grading Standards / Grading Scale – https://www.isagrading.com/grading-scale

o Which Cards Will ISA Grade?

§ Will ISA Grade Sports Cards? YES

§ Will ISA Grade Pokemon Cards? YES

§ Will ISA Grade Oversized or Undersized Cards? YES

§ Will ISA Grade Autographed Cards? YES

o Find Out How Much It Costs To Grade Your Cards With ISA at https://www.isagrading.com/submit-a-card

o Submit Your Cards For Grading With ISA Now at https://www.isagrading.com/submit-a-card

o ISA Card Grading Population (POP) Report: Coming Soon!

- GMA

o My Review: GMA is a card grader that has been around for a while (founded in 2000) without gaining the marketplace traction of the larger graders. GMA 10 cards typically sell for less – sometimes much less – than the same PSA 10 cards. GMA does have its loyalists – there’s one in every Facebook group, crowing about cheaper services – but it’s not for me. Full Disclosure: I have not submitted cards to GMA for grading, and I do not own their slabs in my collection.

o Company Description From Website: “Card Grading Done Right. 5x faster than the closest competitor. Most affordable service & no hidden fees. One-on-One customer service.”

o Learn More About How To Grade Cards With GMA at https://gmagrading.com

o GMA Grading Standards / Grading Scale – https://gmagrading.com/about/grading-scale/

o Which Cards Will GMA Grade?

§ Will GMA Grade Sports Cards? YES

§ Will GMA Grade Pokemon Cards? YES

§ Will GMA Grade Oversized or Undersized Cards? YES

§ Will GMA Grade Autographed Cards? YES

o Find Out How Much It Costs To Grade Your Cards With GMA at https://gmagrading.com/about/pricing/

o Submit Your Cards For Grading With GMA Now at https://gmagrading.com/how-to-submit-your-cards-for-grading/

o GMA Card Grading Population (POP) Report: Coming Soon!

- RCG

o My Review: RCG is another card grader that came to my attention in 2021/2022 when PSA was struggling with its backlog of orders. For whatever reason, I’m just not hearing much about RCG, and when I see a review online, it’s often negative (focused on quality assurance issues and/or customer service). So maybe give them a look but proceed with caution. Full Disclosure: I have not submitted cards for grading at RCG, and I do not own any of their slabs.

§ Company Description From Website: “WE PRIDE OURSELVES ON ACCURATE, AFFORDABLE GRADING IN A TIMELY MANNER. WHILE MAINTAINING THE HIGHEST INDUSTRY STANDARDS, WE STRIVE TO HONOR THE PAST AND PIONEER REVOLUTIONARY CHANGE IN THE CARD GRADING INDUSTRY! EVERY SUBMISSION WILL INCLUDE SUBGRADES, CERTIFIED AUTO GRADES, AND A VIVID COLOR MATCHED SLAB.”

o Learn More About How To Grade Cards With RCG at https://revolutiongrading.com

o RCG Grading Standards / Grading Scale – https://revolutiongrading.com/grading-standards/

o Which Cards Will RCG Grade?

§ Will RCG Grade Sports Cards? YES

§ Will RCG Grade Pokemon Cards? YES

§ Will RCG Grade Oversized or Undersized Cards? Not Oversized; Standard Size and Smaller Only

§ Will RCG Grade Autographed Cards? YES

o Find Out How Much It Costs To Grade Your Cards With RCG at https://revolutiongrading.com/price-packages/

o Submit Your Cards For Grading With RCG Now at https://revolutiongrading.com/how-to-submit/

o RCG Card Grading Population (POP) Report: Coming Soon!

- TGA

o My Review: TGA is another card grader that came to my attention in 2021/2022 when PSA was struggling with its backlog of orders. For whatever reason, I’m just not hearing much about TGA, and when I see a review online, it’s often negative (focused on quality assurance issues and/or customer service). So maybe give them a look but proceed with caution. Full Disclosure: I have not submitted cards for grading at TGA, and I do not own any of their slabs.

§ Company Description From Website: “The Grading Authority is a New England-based card grading company built on a foundation of experience and passion for the community. We understand the frustrations of traditional card grading services and strive to make the grading process faster, more affordable, and provide a new level of transparency. This is card grading designed for the collector. From the moment that you submit your cards, you will receive notifications on the current status of your order. Log into to your account for real-time updates! We offer a wide range of card grading services for Sports, Pokemon, Yu-Gi-Oh, Dragon Ball, Marvel, Star Wars, UFC, and much more! With our high-end holders and gorgeous labels, your cards are guaranteed to look great!”

o Learn More About How To Grade Cards With TGA at https://tgacards.com

o TGA Grading Standards / Grading Scale – https://tgacards.com/grading-scale/

o Which Cards Will TGA Grade?

§ Will TGA Grade Sports Cards? YES, 1955 and later

§ Will TGA Grade Pokemon Cards? YES

§ Will TGA Grade Oversized or Undersized Cards? NO; Standard Sizes Only

§ Will TGA Grade Autographed Cards? YES

o Find Out How Much It Costs To Grade Your Cards With TGA at https://club.tgacards.com/product/card-submission/ (additional pricing details on home page)

o Submit Your Cards For Grading With TGA Now at https://club.tgacards.com/product/card-submission/

o TGA Card Grading Population (POP) Report: https://tgacards.com/population-report/