Collecting and grading vintage baseball cards has become extremely popular in recent decades. One of the leading third-party grading companies for sports cards is Certified Guarantee Company, commonly known as CGC. Founded in 2000, CGC has quickly grown to become the gold standard for authenticating and grading the condition of cards.
When collectors submit their cards to CGC for grading, the cards go through a rigorous authentication and grading process. Each card is carefully examined under bright lighting by experienced graders. The graders thoroughly inspect the front and back of the card for any flaws, defects, or signs of alteration. Factors like centering, corners, edges and surface are all taken into consideration when determining the final numerical grade.
Once authenticated and graded, the card is then sealed in a tamper-evident, clear plastic holder branded with the CGC logo. This holder protects the card and allows potential buyers to easily examine the front and back of the card without having to remove it. The holder also displays the assigned grade on a label. Grades range from 1 to 10, with 10 being flawless gem mint condition. Even fractional grades like 8.5 are possible.
Submitting cards to CGC provides several key benefits. First, it independently verifies the authenticity and condition of the card. This gives buyers confidence they are purchasing a real card in the grade being sold. It also eliminates worries about alteration, doctoring or fake cards. Second, the protective holder greatly enhances long-term preservation by shielding the card from dirt, fingerprints or damage. Cards sealed in CGC holders have been shown to maintain their grade over decades.
CGC slabbing also adds significant value. Research shows CGC and PSA graded cards consistently sell for much higher prices compared to raw, ungraded cards. The added value is often 50%-100% higher for mid-range cards, and can be exponentially higher for rare vintage cards. Slabbed cards are also much easier to sell because the grade eliminates disputes over perceived condition that can plague raw card sales. Major auction houses only accept cards in certified holders.
Some key things to consider when buying CGC graded cards include population reports, turnaround times and submission costs. Population reports show how many of a particular card have been submitted to CGC and the distribution of grades awarded. Rare or low population cards tend to be more valuable. CGC can have variable wait times depending on volume, with economy submissions taking months. Standard and express options cost more but are faster.
When submitting cards, collectors must choose the appropriate tier of service and add-ons. Economy is cheapest but has the longest wait, while express is costlier but returns cards in 1-2 weeks. Options like autograph verification and special label requests are extra. Cards must meet CGC’s submission standards, and valuable vintage cards may require a CGC Verification Letter for resale.
In summary, CGC third-party grading has become essential for collectors and investors in the booming vintage sports card market. The added authentication, preservation and value that CGC provides has made them the most trusted name in the hobby. While submission costs are higher than storing raw cards, the protection and peace of mind a CGC holder provides, along with the increased secondary market value, make the premium worthwhile for valuable vintage cardboard.
