There are a few major companies that professionally grade baseball cards to determine their condition and quality. The two largest and most well-known graders are Professional Sports Authenticator (PSA) and Beckett Grading Services (BGS). To get a card graded, collectors first submit their card to one of these companies along with a fee, usually around $10-20 per card depending on turnaround time.
When the graders receive the submission, the first step is for a trained card grader to carefully inspect the card under bright lighting to analyze its condition. They will examine every aspect of the card including the centering, corners, edges and surface for any flaws, defects, or wear and tear. Centering refers to how perfectly centered the image on the front of the card is within the borders. Corners are checked for any bends, chips or rounded edges. Edges are looked at for any nicks, dings or flaws along the perimeter. And the surface is analyzed for any scratches, marks, stains or other imperfections on the face of the card that could detract from its appearance.
The grader assigns a numerical grade to each of these factors to determine the card’s overall condition. For centering, a 10 represents perfect centering while lower numbers indicate being off-center. Corners are ranked on a 1-10 scale based on their shape and presence of flaws. Edges are also graded 1-10. And the surface receives a 1-GEM (Gem Mint) grade where 1 has serious flaws and GEM represents near pristine quality with no discernible defects. Each factor is averaged together to arrive at a final numeric grade on the Scale of 1-10.
In addition to the numeric grade, BGS also provides descriptive Population Report (POP) labels to further classify a card’s condition. These include labels like “Mint”, “Gem Mint”, “Black Label” and more based on how an example compares to others within its grade range. PSA uses descriptive terms like “Poor”, “Good”, “Near Mint” and “Mint” to complement the numeric grade. Once graded, the card is then stamped, labeled and inserted into a protective plastic holder along with the assigned grade.
There are additional specialty services graders offer as well. BGS uses their exclusive “DNA” fingerprint technology to verify autographs and memorabilia are authentic. Both companies will authenticate and encase autographed cards. And high-end submissions can be sent for further enhancements like getting the back sealed to preserve a valuable autograph. A card’s grade greatly impacts its value, with higher grades naturally demanding a premium price in the collecting marketplace. Having cards professionally graded provides a consistent and reliable assessment of condition that both buyers and sellers trust. It transforms a common sports card into a cherished, certified collectible for years to enjoy.
Professional third party grading transforms raw baseball cards into certified, investment-worthy collectibles by carefully inspecting them under exacting standards to determine their condition and quality through detailed analysis of centering, corners, edges and surface attributes. The assigned numerical grade and designation summarizes a card’s preserved state for collectors and helps establish fair market value. It has become the expected method for authenticating high-end cards and maintaining confidence in the high-stakes world of baseball memorabilia investing.
