The process of getting vintage baseball cards professionally graded involves several key steps. The first step is to carefully select the cards you wish to submit for grading. Make sure the cards are in the best possible condition with no creases, folds, or other flaws that would negatively impact the grade. It’s also a good idea to only submit highly valuable vintage cards that are worth the cost of the grading process.
Once you’ve selected the cards, you’ll need to package them properly for shipping. Place each individual card in a penny sleeve to avoid fingerprints or other damage during transit. Then, sandwich the penny sleeved card between two rigid pieces of cardboard cut to the size of a standard trading card. This helps prevent the card from flexing or bending during shipping. Make sure to label each cardboard/card/cardboard triple with the name of the card and its condition.
You’ll then need to decide which third-party grading company to use, as the major options like PSA, BGS, and SGC all have different fee structures and turnaround times. Factors to consider include the expected grade of the card, its monetary value, and your preference on the grading scale used (PSA’s well-known 1-10 scale versus BGS/SGC’s classification system). More desirable cards on the cusp of a high grade may warrant using a more exacting service.
Once you’ve selected the grading company, you’ll need to create an account on their website and enter all submission details like quantities, grades desired, and desired turnaround service level (economy, standard, express, etc.). You’ll then pay the submission fee, which varies based on number of cards and service level but can range from $10-$30 per card on average for vintage submissions. Shipping the cards to the grading company is an additional cost as well.
After receiving your cards, the grading company will meticulously examine each one under high powered lighting and magnification to analyze centering, corners, edges, surface, and other criteria on their established scale. Any flaws, defects, or soft corners/edges will negatively impact the numerical grade. If a significant restoration or alteration is detected, the card may be “flagged” or receive an authenticity verification instead of a grade.
Once grading is complete, which can take 4-12 weeks typically depending on service level, the cards will be encapsulated in protective plastic holders that clearly display the grade. The graded cards will then be shipped back to you. At this point, you can decide to hold onto or resell the cards, as a professional grade often makes the card significantly more valuable to collectors especially on key vintage cards. Just be sure to store graded cards safely to preserve their condition and grade.
The cost of the entire process typically ranges from $15-$50 per card depending on submission quantity, selected service level, and any added authentication or cross-referencing services. While requiring care, patience and an investment, third party certification can bring clarity and trust to vintage card sales in the competitive collectibles market. With the right preparation and research, collectors of vintage baseball memorabilia can feel confident their most prized pieces are properly conserved and authenticated for years of enjoyment.
