There are several factors to consider when deciding which baseball cards to grade. The main purpose of getting cards professionally graded is to authenticate they are real and encapsulate them to preserve their condition. This helps establish a certified grade which can significantly impact the card’s value. Generally, the best candidates will be high-value vintage and modern rookie cards in pristine condition.
For vintage cards from the 1800s-1980s, focus on the true star players and the rarest/most coveted sets from that era. This includes cards of Babe Ruth, Ty Cobb, Mickey Mantle, and other legends from the early decades of the game. Sets to target include the 1909-11 T206, 1911-13 T207, 1913 E134, 1914 Cracker Jack, 1915 Cracker Jack, 1916 and 1917 M101-4, 1933 Goudey, 1952 Topps, and 1957 Topps. Grading these iconic vintage cards can yield high returns if they grade well, as mint condition examples of the top names can fetch six-figure prices.
Within the last few decades, the best bets are rookie cards for all-time great players, especially if they went on to have Hall of Fame careers and succeeded in the postseason. Top modern rookie card candidates include Mariano Rivera, Derek Jeter, Ken Griffey Jr, Chipper Jones, Mike Pujols, and Robin Yount from the late 80s-90s; plus current superstars like Bryce Harper, Mookie Betts, Fernando Tatis Jr, Juan Soto and Ronald Acuña Jr. The higher the player’s stature and career accolades, the more desirable and valuable their rookie card.
In addition to star players, also consider submitting full sets from the most popular post-war issues that are showing signs of increasing demand long-term. The 1952, 1957, 1969, 1975, 1987, 1989, and 1991 Topps sets in pristine condition have tremendous grading appeal. For non-sports card collectors getting into the hobby, complete pristine sets can be intriguing and hold value extremely well as graded investments over the decades.
Focus first on your highest value cards before deciding what else is worth grading. Condition is key, so only submit true gems that have a realistic shot at earning the prestigious Mint 9 or Gem Mint 10 grade from Professional Sports Authenticator (PSA) or Beckett Grading Services (BGS). Anything graded lower than a PSA 8 or BGS 8.5 is unlikely to boost the card’s price enough to justify the grading costs involved. Carefully inspect cards under bright lighting for any flaws, defects, or imperfections that could dock points.
Make sure the potential upside financially makes sense. Check pop reports on the population of already graded examples to understand scarcity and market demand. There needs to be potential price premium from a high grade to outweigh the $15-30+ per card grading cost. Vintage cards in pristine condition often make great candidates due to rarity, while modern rookies & stars have the most room for potential appreciation over time. With enough homework, card grading can significantly increase the value of your collection’s crown jewels. The key is targeting your absolute highest quality examples from the most coveted players, sets, and eras.
