Grading
The professional assessment of a card or autograph's condition on a numerical scale.
Grading is the process of having a professional company assess the condition of a trading card or autograph and assign a numerical grade. The grade provides a standardized, objective evaluation that helps establish market value.
PSA uses a 1-10 scale where 10 is "Gem Mint" (perfect condition). Beckett (BGS) also uses 1-10 but includes half-point increments and provides subgrades for centering, corners, edges, and surface. SGC uses a similar 1-10 scale.
For autographed cards, some companies provide a separate autograph grade alongside the card grade. Beckett, for example, grades the autograph quality on a 10-point scale, evaluating factors like boldness, size, and placement.
The financial impact of grading can be dramatic. A card worth $100 raw might sell for $500+ in PSA 10 or BGS 9.5. However, if the card receives a low grade (PSA 7 or below), the grading cost may not be justified.
Submitting items for grading involves shipping them to the grading company, paying a fee ($20-300+ depending on declared value and turnaround speed), and waiting for the graded item to be returned in its protective slab.
101 Pre-Screen is an AI-assisted opinion, not authentication or an appraisal.