There are several professional third-party grading companies that provide grading services for collectibles like vintage baseball cards. The two most popular and reputable companies are Professional Sports Authenticator (PSA) and Beckett Grading Services (BGS). Both companies have stringent grading standards and their stamp of authenticity and assigned numerical grade helps establish a fair market value for the card.
The first step is to select the cards you want to grade. Make sure to only submit high quality vintage cards that are in the best condition possible. Cracked or heavily worn cards are unlikely to grade very well. Carefully inspect each card under good lighting for any flaws, creases, corners, or edges that may hurt the potential grade. You want cards that show minimal signs of handling and have sharp corners. Raw mint cards have the highest chance of receiving the top grades.
Once you’ve selected the cards, you’ll need to properly package them for shipping. Both PSA and BGS provide mailing kits and detailed instructions on their website on how to safely package cards. It’s best to place each individual card in a stiff penny sleeve flap and then put multiple cards into a rigid toploader or magnetic holder. Safely secure all the cards within cardboard or bubble wrap and place in a sealed box for mailing. Proper packaging helps ensure the cards arrive without any damage from shipping.
You’ll then need to register an account on the grading company’s website to open a submission. Once logged in, you can select the turnaround time and costs for the service level. Standard turnaround is usually 3-6 months currently but bulk and economy options with higher volume may take 9-12 months to grade due to backlogs. Express services are much faster at 1-2 months but come at a steep cost premium. Shipping insurance is highly recommended as well to protect against potential losses or damages in transit.
Most submission forms allow you to enter details about each individual card like the player, year, set and any notable identifying markings that can help establish provenance. You’ll want to be as detailed as possible here for authentication purposes down the road. Fees are calculated based on the number of cards and service level selected. Payment is collected online at the time of submission.
Once submitted, the grading company will thoroughly inspect each card under high magnification lights and microscopes. They analyze factors like centering, corners, edges, surface and overall condition comprehensively. Numerical raw grades from 1-10 are then assigned according to established standards with descriptive verbal qualifiers accompanying some levels. After grading, the cards are then sealed within tamper proof holders that prominently display the assigned grade upfront through a clear plastic window.
You’ll receive a detailed grading report in your account with pictures and grades of each individual card once the submission is returned. The holders can then be easily verified against the report for authenticity. Properly graded vintage cards with high marks significantly boost in collector value and provide a benchmark for the condition and quality of the item. They become an important part of establishing the provenance, condition census and price guide listings for significant vintage cards going forward.
Using the expert services of respected third party grading companies like PSA and BGS provides baseball card collectors the most reputable and trusted method available to comprehensively analyze, authenticate and assign an official recognized grade to their prized vintage cards. While a larger initial cost, the protective holder and numerical grade assigned aids significantly in long term preservation, increases value and establishes an important record of the card that endures for decades to come. With care taken in selection, preparation and patience – it’s worth utilizing professional grading for top tier vintage cardboard to fully realize their collector potential over time.
