The major companies that professionally grade baseball cards are PSA, BGS (Beckett Grading Services), SGC (Sportscard Guaranty Corporation), and HGA (Hollywood Card Co.). They assign cards numerical grades based on factors like centering, corners, edges, and surface to indicate the card’s condition and preservation.
To submit cards for grading, you will need to register an account with the grading company’s website. Most allow you to submit cards online and get a shipping label to send them in. It’s important to follow all of their submission guidelines which include how many cards can be sent at once, how they need to be packaged securely, and required paperwork.
Once received, the grading company will first authenticate that the card is real. They may use technologies like ultraviolet light, microscope examination and watermarks to verify authenticity. Then, trained graders will thoroughly inspect the card under bright lighting against fixed standards to determine the grade.
The entire grading process from submission to receipt of the graded card can take several months depending on the company and their current workload. Companies offer different service levels with faster turnaround times but higher costs. The basic bulk service is usually the cheapest option but may have a months-long wait.
After careful examination, numerical grades are assigned on a scale such as 1-10 for PSA/BGS or 1-70 for SGC (higher is better). Factors considered include centering (how perfectly centered the image is within the border), corners (are they sharp or rounded/blemished), edges (are they clean and crisp or worn/damaged) and surface (is it smooth and mark/print free or scratched/dented).
Semi-rigid plastic slabs with the assigned grade, company label and other identifiers will then encapsulate and protect the graded card. The entire process is intended to authenticate, preserve and standardized the condition assessment of the collectible. This allows buyers and sellers to easily compare graded cards apples-to-apples.
Once graded cards are returned, you can consider various options. You may keep them for your personal collection display. Or you can consign or directly list them for sale on the grading company’s marketplace, eBay, or third party seller sites. Having the professionally assigned grade helps establish the fair market value.
Some key tips when submitting cards – only select your absolute best examples as grading is an added cost. Choose iconic cards that will hold long-term value or ones you PC (personal collection). Make sure to insure shipments fully in case of damage or loss in transit. And understand grading is not a guarantee – while grades aim to be objective, there is still human element so reasonable resubmissions can be done.
Getting baseball cards professionally graded is an important process for serious collectors and investors looking to authenticate, preserve condition and establish value. Though it requires patience and costs are involved, the certified grade assigned by the major companies provides a standardized and respected assessment of your collectibles that is recognized globally within the hobby. With care at each step, it allows you to confidently show off your best cards or potentially profit from future resale.
