Getting baseball cards professionally graded can help confirm their authenticity and condition, helping determine their value. Grading provides a standardized numerical rating that helps collectors and sellers agree on a cards quality and trade or sell cards fairly.
The two largest and most trusted third-party card grading services are PSA (Professional Sports Authenticator) and BGS (Beckett Grading Services). Both have been grading cards for decades and use rigorous grading standards evaluated by teams of expert card graders. Their slabs protect the cards and guarantee the assigned grade remains accurate if resold in the future.
A cards grade depends on factors like centering, corners, edges and surface. Minor defects can lower grades while perfectly centered cards with sharp corners may grade higher. Top grades of PSA 10 or BGS Black Label/Gem Mint 10 are very rare and valuable as they represent virtually flawless examples that increase a cards value significantly. Most vintage cards in good condition will grade between PSA 5-8.
The grading process takes time and costs money but provides authentication and preservation that improves card liquidity and trade. For modern sport issues, the potential value increase from a high grade often exceeds submission costs. Vintage stars in high grades can appreciate exponentially. The transparency of third-party grading enhances a collectibles legitimacy in the marketplace.
Cards should be carefully packaged to avoid damage in transit. Plastic holders or toploaders protect surfaces. Request insurance for declared value. Both PSA and BGS offer various submission tiers from economy to express services. Turnaround times range from a month to just a few business days but faster options cost more per card. Check company websites for current pricing and service details which may change periodically.
An experienced grading company examines each card front and back under bright lighting and high magnification looking for flaws. Even minor printing defects, discoloration or handling wear may harm grades. Certified Authentic/Authentic or Not Genuine ratings validate real versus fake cards. Sports autographs receive authenticated verifications too. After thorough inspections, qualified graders assign final consensus grades.
Once graded, slabs protect the assigned grade inside tamper-evident cases. Slab barcodes uniquely identify each certified card in company databases. Resubmitting cards risks lower re-grade outcomes if flaws emerge over time. Therefore, select top candidates wisely and handle cards carefully pre- and post-grading to maintain high grades. Slabbed collectibles typically earn higher resale prices due to their certified quality and authentic provenance.
For valuable vintage stars in near mint or better condition, the cost of grading may pay off and raise realized auction prices. Consider modern player cards only where grade could transform a $1-2 card into a $20 PSA 10 gem. Budget vintage andstars in poorer condition rarely gain value from grading once fees are included. Do market research first to choose strategically which pieces will most benefit.
Top graded cards fetch higher bids and sell more reliably on eBay and specialty auction sites. Consign top-slabbed rare pieces to major card auction houses like Heritage, Goldin or Memory Lane for maximum exposure. But stay wary of scammers posing as buyers or sellers too good to be true. Stick to reputable outlets and use escrow payment methods for authentication deals involving high dollar slabs.
Third party grading adds layers of verification, preservation and market standardization that stabilize collectible values. With discipline and savvy targeting of best candidates, the substantial upfront grading costs can pay off long-term for vintage cards appreciating based on superior authenticity and condition. Top modern stars in pristine mint grades likewise see value boosts that make strategic submission worthwhile.