Professional Sports Authenticator (PSA) – PSA is widely considered the gold standard for trading card authentication and grading. They have graded over 50 million cards and are the largest and most well-known third party grading service. Some key things to know about sending to PSA:
Pricing – PSA offers several service levels from basic to express. Basic can take 4-6 months and costs $12-20 per card depending on turnaround time desired. Express services are more expensive but cards can be returned in as little as 2-3 weeks.
Grading Scale – PSA uses a 1-10 scale to grade cards, with 10 being perfect gem mint condition. They are very strict graders and it can be difficult to achieve grades of 9 or 10, even for cards in amazing condition.
Submission Process – You can either send cards individually in magnetic submission holders or in bulk order submission forms depending on how many cards you are sending. Proper packaging and paperwork must be included.
Wait Times – Basic service level estimated wait times are currently 4-6 months due to high demand during the pandemic. Express services have shorter 2-3 week turnaround times but are more costly.
Reputation – PSA is the gold standard for a reason. Their certified graded slabs increase the value and liquidity of your cards tremendously and are widely trusted in the hobby. Certified PSA/DNA cards hold their value best over time.
Beckett Grading Services (BGS) – BGS is the other major player alongside PSA. Some things to note about BGS:
Grading Scale – BGS uses a similar 1-10 scale but also adds + qualifiers. So a 9.5 BGS Black Label card is the highest grade possible.
Slab Design – BGS slabs have a black and yellow design that is highly recognizable in the hobby. Many collectors prefer this design aesthetic.
Turnaround Times – BGS claims average return times of 3-6 months currently, though many report longer waits due to high demand during the pandemic. They also offer express tier services.
Submission Process – Same as PSA with magnetic holders or submission forms. Proper packaging and paperwork required.
Modern Pop Reports – BGS provides accessible population reports for modern cards graded, which many find valuable. PSA population data is not as transparent.
Both PSA and BGS guarantee their certified graded slabs greatly increase the value and liquidity of your cards. As long as it’s a recognized third party grader, the authentication and grade restore confidence in the condition and legitimacy of the card.
Some other reputable but smaller third party graders include SGC (Sportscard Guarantee Company), HGA (Hidden Gems Authentication), and BVG (Baseball Card Exchange). But PSA and BGS remain the heavyweights of the industry due to their size and brand recognition worldwide.
When choosing which company to use, consider the expected return time, your budget, slab/grade preference, and what is most important for the cards you plan to submit. Also inquire about special bulk submission deals and membership options that can save you money on fees in the long run.
Proper packaging and paperwork completes are key for any submission. Cards must be in perfect holders without bends, creases or edge issues. Value your cards, protect your investment, and only submit to proven, established graders with strict quality control guidelines. Their expert certification will drastically increase collectability and future desirability of those special cards in your collection. Let me know if any part of the process needs further explanation after reading this overview on the top card grading options available.
