Should I Grade My Baseball Cards? An In-Depth Look at the Pros and Cons
For decades, collectors have debated the pros and cons of getting their baseball cards professionally graded. On one hand, grading provides authentication and assigns a precise condition grade that can significantly impact a card’s market value. The grading process also comes with costs and risks. In this in-depth article, we’ll explore all sides of this issue so you can determine if submitting your cards for grading is a sound strategy.
The Argument For Grading
Authenticated Condition Grades Are Key to Value – For high-end vintage or modern rare cards, accurate condition authentication and grading is essential for establishing market value. Slight differences in grade can mean thousands of dollars more or less for a given card. Submitting to a respected third-party grading service like PSA or BGS provides an impartial professional assessment of a card’s condition that buyers trust. This establishes a baseline valuation for the card.
Top Grades Command Higher Prices – Cards that grade at the very top of the PSA or BGS scale, earning Gem Mint 10 or Pristine/Gem Mint 10 designations, possess extraordinary eye appeal and command a significant premium. While raw ungraded copies of these cards may sell for hundreds or low thousands, earning that perfect grade can increase value many multiples over. For this reason, submitters often focus their valuable cards towards targeting the top pop report positions.
Protects Condition During Resale – When a card is professionally graded and sealed in a protective plastic holder, it’s much less susceptible to damage or wear compared to an ungraded raw card. This peace of mind is valuable for both buyers and sellers, as the grade essentially guarantees the same condition perceived at time of encapsulation. No chance of unscrupulous sellers switching out cards or hiding flaws on raw cards. The plastic slab is also a deterrent to counterfeits.
Authenticates Older/Rare Cards – For truly rare pre-war tobacco era cards or high-grade specimens from the early modern era before widespread production tampering, third-party authentication is critical. Services like PSA verify authenticity through extensive examination and population research. An authenticated vintage card in a respected holder maintains the highest possible collectible value.
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The Argument Against Grading
Hefty Upfront Costs – While submission costs have decreased in recent years, PSA/BGS still charge $20-$30+ per standard size baseball card for their basic grading services. Add in shipping costs and insurance in both directions, and the tab can reach $50+ per card or higher for express services. This is prohibitive for submitting full modern sets or large collections. It’s best suited for high-dollar cards.
Risk of Damage During Handling – While modern third party graders employ careful quality control, any time a card leaves your hands there is inherent risk of damage during the grading process. Though rare, the occasional grader error or negligence incident destroying a cherished card is a real fear for collectors. The raw card value is also tied up during the months-long turnaround time in many cases.
Temporary Loss of Liquidity – The graded card will be professionally sealed away for months before being returned to you. During this time, the card can’t be easily bartered in trades, shown off to friends and family, or admired. Some collectors prefer fluidity over the permanent slabbing even if it means sacrificing top grades and dollar value potential long-term.
Top Grades May Not Add Value – Unless it’s a true iconic vintage card or modern rare rookie, attaining an epic PSA/BGS 10 grade may still not unlock significant premium pricing if the wider population doesn’t justify scarcity at that level. It’s easy to overestimate a common card’s potential just because it grades perfectly.
Popularity of Grading May Diminish Returns – As the baseball card market expands and mainstream investors enter the scene, opinions on the long-term value of graded cards versus raw cards may begin to shift if grading becomes oversaturated. Future collectors may prefer raw specimens they can enjoy more freely.
In summary – while modern authentication and grading has clearly advantages, it’s not universally applicable or necessary. For your collection, carefully consider the goal of enhancing value versus enjoyment, costs versus risks, and your outlook before deciding to grade. Discerning when it makes sense will generate the optimal outcome. Raw cards deserve respect too for collectors who want to appreciate the cardboard art as found.
