Getting valuable baseball cards professionally graded and certified helps validate their authenticity and condition, which can significantly increase their value. There are several third party authentication and grading companies that provide this service, with the two largest and most well-known being Professional Sports Authenticator (PSA) and Beckett Grading Services (BGS). Here is an in-depth look at the certification process through PSA:

The first step is to select the cards you want to submit and decide on the appropriate grading service tier based on turnaround times and cost. PSA offers several tiers from economy to ultra-modern to expedited services. They recommend selecting cards in mid-range conditions (2.5-8.5 on their 1-10 grading scale) to yield the best returns. Very low grade cards may not be worth the cost and high grade gems are best sent to PSA’s most advanced graders.

Once you determine the cards and tier, you’ll need to properly package the cards for shipping. It’s important they are well protected to avoid damage in transit. PSA provides packing instructions on their website along with shipping labels. Cards should be placed in rigid cardboard holders, then surrounded by bubble wrap or padding before sealing in a box. Always insure the package in case of loss or damage during shipping.

Upon receipt at the PSA headquarters in Santa Ana, California, the submission undergoes an initial review where customer information is checked against the submitted items. Any issues like missing paperwork or improper packaging result in the submission being returned. If all is order, cards then enter the multi-step certification process.

First, PSA authenticators thoroughly examine each card under high powered magnification to confirm it is a genuine original production issue and not a forgery or counterfeit. Variable printing techniques, cardboard stock, centering, and other identifiable markers are compared to examples in their extensive reference archives. Any cards deemed inauthentic are marked and pulled from the process.

Next is the grading portion where the condition and overall physical state is given a numerical grade. PSA uses a detailed condition scale of 1-10 based on factors like centering, corners, edges and surface. Even small defects can potentially lower the grade. experienced graders evaluate cards under controlled lighting using specialized tools. A consensus between at least two graders is needed before a grade is assigned.

Once authenticated and assigned a condition grade, the now certified card is then sealed in a tamper proof plastic holder which also displays the grade. Modern items use PSA’s frosted holders while vintage receives clear plastic cases. A unique alphanumeric PSA authentication sticker is applied before final packaging and tracking information is associated with the digital record in their data systems.

After the process, certified cards are returned to customers along with a certification letter and POP (Point of Purchase/Proof of Purchase) backup in case the holder ever needs to be cracked open for resubmission or resale. turnaround times can range from a couple weeks to a few months depending on the chosen service tier. Customer service is available to track order status and address any issues.

Certification through PSA greatly enhances the appeal and value of collectible baseball cards to buyers, especially for pricier rare and higher graded items. The authentication, condition grading, and tamper proof display help validate authenticity and reassure purchasers they are investing in a quality asset. While costs range from less than $10 per card up to over $100 for special services, certification is almost always financially worthwhile for sports cards likely to appreciate significantly over time as investments.

Getting baseball cards professionally certified through a respected company like PSA establishes trust and value in the collectibles marketplace. Their rigorous multi-step process authenticates cards and provides crucial condition data preferred by serious investors and collectors worldwide. The added certification enhances long term appreciation potential and makes reselling certified items much simpler down the road.

If you have a valuable baseball card that you want authenticated and verified as genuine, you will need to send it to a professional third-party grading service to have it certified. There are several major companies that offer baseball card grading services, with the top three being PSA, BGS (Beckett Grading Services), and SGC (Sports Card Guaranty).

The certification process involves carefully examining the card to verify there has been no tampering or alterations. Grading services will analyze factors like centering, corners, edges, and surface quality to determine the card’s condition on a numerical scale. Getting a card certified adds credibility when selling or trading the card, as the holder is assured of the card’s authenticity and quality. It also significantly increases the value for highly graded rare or vintage cards.

To submit a card for certification, you will need to register an account with the grading service you choose. Most accept submissions online. You will need to describe the card, select the appropriate service level, and pay the associated fee. Standard turnaround times vary but are usually a few weeks to a few months depending on volume. Faster rush services are available for an additional cost if speed is a priority.

PSA, BGS, and SGC all provide self-addressing shipping mailers and detailed instructions on how to properly prepare and pack your cards to minimize risk of damage during transit. It is essential cards are sent in hard plastic holders to avoid any possibility of bending or surface damage. Photos should be included of any notable flaws, and value is declared in case of loss during shipping.

Once received, the card will undergo a rigorous authentication and grading process. High-definition scans and detailed notes documenting every aspect are recorded. Multiple trained authenticators will carefully examine under high magnification. If any inconsistencies or signs of doctoring are found, the card will be marked “Not Genuine.” For genuine cards, the grading process determines the condition grade based on established standards.

You will be notified by email once the certification is complete and a certificate with the assigned grade will be mailed. Certified graded cards are tamper-evident sealed in a plastic case with the grade clearly displayed. Slabbed cards can easily be verified as authentic by cross-referencing the unique certification number provided on the case. Unslabbed raw cards are also returned along with the certificate if a grade was not assigned or requested.

The certification process adds value by objectively determining a card’s condition and authenticating it. This gives buyers confidence knowing they are getting an untreated, unaltered example. For high-value specimens, the certification greatly increases selling prices by thousands or even tens of thousands of dollars above raw ungraded examples. It provides a level of legitimacy and documentation for collectibles that makes the investment well worth it when the right cards are submitted.

Certified Baseball Cards: What Collectors Need to Know

Baseball cards have been collected and enjoyed by fans for over a century, with some of the earliest cards dating back to the late 1800s. As the hobby grew in popularity throughout the 20th century, collectors began seeking ways to verify the authenticity and condition of their prized cards. This led to the development of third-party certification companies that could professionally grade and encapsulate cards to prevent tampering and provide unbiased analysis of each card’s attributes.

Today, the major certification services for baseball cards include PSA, BGS, SGC and HGA. Each uses a numeric grading scale to assign a condition rating to factors like centering, corners, edges and surface quality. High grades fetch a significant premium from serious collectors and investors. But with so many vintage and modern cards entering the certification process every day, it’s important for collectors to understand how this multi-million dollar industry operates.

The Certification Process

Submitting cards to be certified is straightforward. Collectors can send eligible cards to the major grading companies by mail or drop them off in person at conventions and shows. Basic service tiers are available starting around $10-20 per card, with express and bulk submission discounts offered as well. Companies have online submission guides detailing requirements like acceptable card types, quantities per order and packaging instructions.

Upon receipt, the cards are thoroughly inspected under high-powered magnification by experienced graders. Multiple examiners will typically review each card to ensure grading consistency. Factors like centering, corners, edges and surfaces are meticulously analyzed on the front and back and assigned subgrades on a scale from 1 to 10. These are then averaged to determine the overall numeric grade.

Once graded, the card is sealed in a protective plastic slab with the assigned grade, company logo and other identifying markers clearly printed on the front label. Tamper-evident security labels are also applied. Slabs are tracked using unique certification numbers to build provenance records. Cards are then returned to the submitter along with detailed grading reports. The entire process from submission to return usually takes 2-6 weeks depending on service level.

Understanding Grading Scales

While the major certification companies all use a 1-10 point scale, their specific criteria and interpretation of each grade point can vary slightly. Here is a brief overview of the most common scales:

PSA: Considers a PSA Gem Mint 10 to be visually perfect with no flaws. A PSA 9 is near-perfect with only very minor blemishes allowed. Lower numbers indicate progressively more noticeable flaws.

BGS: Uses a more stringent black label for true Gems at 9.5 and above. A BGS 9 has minor flaws visible only under close inspection. Lower numbers allow more evident flaws.

SGC: Rates on a similar scale but may be slightly more lenient on lower centering for early era cards. An SGC 70 (7.0) is the equivalent of a PSA 8 or BGS 8.

HGA: A relatively new player, HGA aims to be the most consistent across all card eras and types. A HGA 10 allows no flaws whatsoever. Lower numbers indicate increasing flaw visibility.

Understanding the different standards used by each service is important when comparing certified grades, especially for rare, high-value vintage cards where tiny condition differences impact prices dramatically. Certification has greatly increased transparency and confidence in the hobby.

Investing and Grading Trends

With the rise of sports card investing over the past decade, the certification market has grown exponentially. Popular modern stars like Mike Trout routinely see cards certified and resold for large sums. Iconic vintage stars like Mickey Mantle and Babe Ruth have also seen record prices paid for high-graded specimens.

Grading trends have also evolved over time. In the early days of third-party authentication in the 1980s and 90s, a PSA 8 or 9 was considered excellent. But as more vintage stock has been submitted, true high-grades have become much rarer, driving values up significantly for scarce PSA/BGS 10s and black label 9.5s.

Meanwhile, modern “hits” like rare parallels, autographs and memorabilia cards often gain value simply by achieving a qualifying grade from certification services. Authentication and preservation in a professional slab is important for high-end cards that will be resold or held long-term.

As the market matures, certification looks set to remain an essential part of the collecting landscape. For informed investors and connoisseurs, understanding the ins and outs of the major grading services empowers collectors to make smart choices regarding preservation, value and provenance. With careful research, certified cards continue enhancing the enjoyment of baseball’s rich card culture for fans worldwide.