There are a few major companies that professionally grade sports cards to determine their condition and value. The two most well-known grading companies for baseball cards are Professional Sports Authenticator (PSA) and Beckett Grading Services (BGS).
To get cards graded by either of these companies, you will first need to create an account on their website. Then you can order grading submission forms and shipping supplies like toploaders and cardboard boxes. It’s best to submit cards in batches of 10 or more to save on per-card grading costs.
When you’re ready to submit cards for grading, you’ll need to fill out the forms completely and accurately. List the card name, year, manufacturer, and any other relevant details. Then securely pack the cards between thick cardboard or foam to prevent bending or damages during shipping.
Cards should be submitted in their raw, unaltered state. Any alterations like resurfacing could negatively impact the grade. Make sure to inspect cards closely under bright lighting before submitting to check for any flaws, as grading companies will not miss even subtle defects.
Once your submission is prepared and packaged securely, you can ship it to the grading company. They recommend using trackable services like USPS Priority Mail. The grading process usually takes 4-6 months due to high volume, so plan accordingly.
After receiving and inspecting the cards, the grading company will analyze each one under specialized lighting and magnifiers. Graders consider factors like centering, corners, edges and surfaces and any flaws when determining the numeric grade on a 1-10 point scale.
Typical modern sport card designations are:
1-4 = Poor condition, heavily damaged cards
5 = Average, noticeable flaws
6 = Solid, minor edge/corner flaws
7 = Very nice, some handling marks
8 = Gem mint, very few/tiny flaws only with magnification
9 = Mint, near pristine condition
10 = Pristine “Black Label” grading, microscopic flaws only
Once graded, the cards will be sealed in hard plastic holders that display the numeric grade on the front and the card inside. The holders provide protection and allow viewing from all angles.
Graded cards return with a detailed online digital report available on the grading company’s website with images and exhaustive analysis of every card. Owners can create accounts to track their submissions over time.
Properly graded high-end vintage or modern star rookie cards in top Gem Mint grades can increase tremendously in value compared to raw ungraded copies. There are grading costs to factor in. PSA charges around $20-30 per modern card depending on tier chosen, while BGS tiers range from $15-50 per card.
With care taken in the submission process and patience awaiting the months-long turnover, professional third-party grading is the best way to authenticate rare finds, maximize value, and preserve condition long-term for important cards. It establishes an impartial, industry-standard analysis of each card’s quality and history.
