How to grade a card

What grading is

An independent company checks that the card is authentic, assesses its condition and seals it in a rigid, tamper-evident holder (a slab) with a label showing the grade and a unique certificate number. A graded card is easier to sell because the buyer does not have to take your word for it.

The grading companies

The three most used are PSA, Beckett (BGS) and CGC. All score from 1 to 10, but they are not equivalent:

• PSA: whole grades (10 = Gem Mint). The best known and the easiest to resell.
• BGS: allows half grades and gives subgrades for centering, corners, edges and surface. Its 10 “Pristine” (black label) is extremely rare.
• CGC: a 10-point scale with half grades, increasingly used for Pokémon cards.
• Each company has its own criteria and fees, and they change over time: always check them on the official website.

What they assess

Four aspects, besides authenticity:

• Centering: how balanced the borders of the front and the back are.
• Corners: sharp, with no whitening or folds.
• Edges: no white marks, nicks or wear.
• Surface: no scratches, prints, creases or print marks, and the original gloss.

Is it worth it?

Compare three numbers: what your card is worth ungraded in good condition, what it would be worth at the grade you expect, and the cost of the service plus shipping and insurance. If the difference does not clearly exceed the cost, it is not worth it. For most common cards it is not; it often is for rare or old cards in very good condition. There is no guarantee of the grade: a card you expected to be a 10 can come back an 8.

Prepare the card

Check it under good light and, if you can, with a magnifier. Remove dust with a microfibre cloth, wiping without rubbing, with no products or water. Keep the card in a soft sleeve and, on top, in a toploader or card saver, and avoid touching the surface with your fingers.

Ship it

Create the order on the company’s website and choose the service level according to the card’s declared value. Pack with rigid cardboard, ship with tracking and insurance, and keep the receipt. Turnaround goes from weeks to months depending on the service and demand. Some companies are outside the EU: check shipping, customs and taxes before ordering.

When it comes back

Check that the slab’s certificate number appears on the company’s website with the right card, that the label matches the card, and that the slab is not open or damaged.

Selling a graded card on Shinymeet

When you publish it, give the company, the grade and the certificate number. With PSA we try to verify it automatically; if that is not possible, or with other companies, it shows as “no automatic verification” with a link so the buyer can check it, and the trusted spot will see the slab in person at the meetup.