There are a few major companies that professional grade baseball cards to determine the condition and value. The three main grading services used are Beckett Grading Services (BGS), Professional Sports Authenticator (PSA), and Hockey Card Grading (HCG). Each company has different standards and practices when it comes to grading cards, so it’s important to consider which service might be the best fit based on the individual card.
When submitting cards to any of these grading companies, the process generally involves filling out a submission form providing details about each card, packing the cards securely, and paying a fee per card. For high value cards, services may offer express grading options for a higher fee that can speed up the turnaround time. Typically basic submissions will take 4-6 months to be graded and returned due to high volume.
Beckett Grading Services (BGS) was founded in 1991 and helped establish modern sports card grading standards. They grade on a 1-10 numeric scale with additional labels for quality issues like “BGS Crystallized” or “BGS Authentic.” One advantage is BGS slabs provide 360 degree protection of the card within the casing. Cards are examined under high intensity lights and magnifying glasses by teams of graders trained in defect identification.
Professional Sports Authenticator (PSA) is widely considered the leading authority in sports card authentication and encapsulation due to their extensive population reports. PSA began in 2000 and rates on a 1-10 scale as well, but also uses half point increments like 7.5. PSA cards are easily identifiable by their black label design. One downside is they do not rotate the card inside the plastic slab, only showing one side.
Hockey Card Grading (HCG) is a smaller company based in Canada that specializes in vintage and modern hockey cards. They rate on a 1-5 scale tailored specifically for the condition and rarity of hockey cards. HCG aims to offer a more budget-friendly option compared to Beckett or PSA and also encapsulates both sides of the card for viewing. They do not have the same brand recognition as the bigger competitors in the United States market.
When deciding which grading service makes the most sense, there are several factors to consider such as intended use, expected value, brand reputation with buyers, and desired presentation. For a valuable vintage card, most collectors agree PSA or BGS tend to provide the best resale value since they are industry frontrunners. But HCG can be satisfactory for budget-minded submissions or Canadian hockey cards. Express options are worthwhile if a card needs to be certified quickly for an important transaction. Ultimately the choice depends on your specific needs and preferences as a collector.
After selecting a grading company, the next step is to properly prepare cards for submission. It’s crucial they are packed securely in rigid holders like toploaders to prevent potential damage or softening during transit. Loose cards or paper envelopes risk bending or other defects that could compromise the rating. The submission form must include details like the year, sport, set name, card number, and any notable flaws to aid the authenticators. Paying fees is typically done online but some accept money orders if preferred.
Once the cards arrive at the chosen grading company, each will go through their individual examination and evaluation procedures. Teams of trained authenticators rotate through batches, analyzing details like centering, corners, edges, surfaces and any printing errors under high-powered magnifying equipment. Numerical ratings take into consideration the set and era to compare to “mint” samples. After grading, the cards are fully encapsulated within tamper-evident plastic cases with the assigned grade clearly displayed on a label.
Customers will then receive a confirmation when the order is completed along with tracking info for the return shipment. It generally takes 4-6 months for basic submissions, but express options can shave weeks off the timeline for priority processing. Upon receipt, collectors can admire their certified cards and enjoy the added value and verification granted by a professional third party authentication. Proper storage of the slabbed items is also important to maintain their condition ratings over time.
The major companies for professionally grading baseball cards are Beckett, PSA and HCG – each with their own nuanced standards and presentation styles. Careful consideration of intended use, factors like brand prestige, turnaround needs, and individual card attributes can help determine the best fit authentication service. With proper preparation and handling at each stage, the authentication process ensures valuable collectibles receive verified quality assessments benefiting buyers and sellers for years to come.
