We are sure you have found yourself here as an avid collector, but what is your knowledge like on grading? Well, with this guide, you’ll soon have the skills to decipher which of your cards are worth grading.
Knowing what cards are worth grading isn’t completely black and white, as we all collect things differently. We have team members who collect specific Pokémon, others who follow certain sports teams, and some who are only after grails. With this, we’ve covered all you need to know in this convenient guide, including steps to help get your first cards graded.
To begin, it is worth mentioning that grading trading cards isn’t for everyone. We know many collectors who pride themselves on their binders and mastersets, all without a graded slab in sight.
There are, however, plenty of reasons to grade your cards, especially if your plan is to resell at a later date or to keep your current collection uniform. Slabs help to confirm the current state of your cards and keep them preserved in this state for a lifetime. There is also nothing cleaner than a set of PSA or BGS slabs. Not to mention that ACE has changed the game with some fun graphic labels that match your cards. In essence, if the presentation of your collection, preservation of your cards, overall design, or the potential of reselling is on your mind, then grading could be a viable option.
Now, with regard to which cards are worth grading, you’ll find your cards fall into a few categories. This essentially splits the top-end cards from your basics, and enables you to soon establish which will be worth grading from a financial standpoint.
Of course, that doesn’t mean it is just these higher-value cards that are worth grading. If we take Pokemon card grading as an example, you will find plenty of lower-value, niche, set-specific, and character-specific collections out there – not just those that manage to get hold of the Moonbreon.
As we have just covered, the cards that are worth grading will vary based on your own preferences, collections, and what you consider worth it. However, there are still a few things that you need to check before sending any cards off. We’ve covered the key areas that impact your overall grade in this table.
| Centering | Refers to how central/even the card looks. If off-center, you will see a lower mark here |
| Edges & corners | Scuffs on the edges and corners of your card are a dealbreaker. Too much whitening could seriously dent your final grade |
| Surface | Scratches, marks, ink blots, damaged swirls. Again, any defects will be noticed and taken from your final grade |
Now that you know what could be worth grading, let us talk you through the process.
Get hold of packs. You can use the banners on this page to find the best sites to rip cards or you can head down to your local shop or card show to get your hands on some packs. You’ll find better value in booster boxes, booster bundles, or Elite Trainer Boxes (ETBs), but you can choose what’s right for you and your budget. With your cards acquired, you then get to enjoy the first fun part of the grading experience: opening your packs and seeing what’s inside.
Complete your checks. With your cards pulled, you now want to look at the potential. Any of your favorite sports stars, characters, or high-value cards in the mix? If so, it is then time to consider centering, whitening, and scratches. You will find tools that help you nowadays, but you could also take any potentials down to a local card show to see what the vendors think.
Choose your grading company. If your cards pass the initial vetting process, then it is now time to consider the grading company you wish to go with. There is no specific company for those grading sports cards, One Piece, or any other CCG, but different companies do offer something different. BGS -10 is considered the gold standard, PSA is considered the most reseller-friendly, and ACE has recently added some very fun graphic labels to the mix.
Select your package and send things off. After choosing your grading company, you then need to look at the pricing structure. As you would anticipate, there are some major differences between the amount you pay and the time it takes to complete the task. Not to mention that many grading companies, including PSA, will group your submissions into tiers. These tiers allow you to predict future pricing based on the grades you expect. Naturally, you may be expected to pay more if you receive a grade higher than initially anticipated. Then, get the sleeves, top loaders, bubble wrap, and a box, and look to send things off. Just make sure all is tracked.
Wait to receive your freshly graded slabs. Finally, the hardest part of all: waiting. Unless you fast-track, head on into the grading center, or select the same-day turnover, you will have to wait for your cards to be returned. In the meantime, we imagine many of you will return to step one (get hold of packs), or some may be a little more restrained and be able to hold out before the grand reveal. Just remember that despite all the checks in the world, your prediction may come back lower or higher than you first predicted.
For some, that unpredictability of the grading process is enough to steer them away from grading their own collection/pulls. Instead, many will rip cards, add them to an ungraded collection, and ensure that they remain protected through sleeves and a binder.
For any graded additions, you will often find that people opt to purchase directly from vendors or online. Alternatively, you can now register at credible card break sites, where this is still an element of unpredictability but you can still manage your outcomes.
The idea is that you will register, deposit, and look at purchasing a digital pack. This pack will contain cards from a specific set or a collection of cards within a preset tier. When you click to buy, you’ll have the same experience as opening real cards; however, this is completed in real time through a live stream or digitally and confirmed through the blockchain. These cards can then be sold or shipped out to you. With some packs/tiers, you will also find graded cards.
That brings this latest guide on what cards are worth grading to its close. By now, we hope that you have a pretty solid idea of which cards could be worth grading, and the key areas to consider before getting started.
To recap, you first need to get hold of some packs. Then, review the cards you have ripped, decide which have value or appeal to your own collection, and start the reviewing process. Centering, edges, corners, and surface scratches are your most important areas, and we suggest grabbing a tool or chatting with a vendor for assistance.
From here, it is then a case of choosing the right grading company, selecting a tier with an appropriate turnaround time, and packaging those cards up safely. Finally, send them off and wait for your graded slabs to return. For an alternative, you could purchase graded cards directly or consider checking out a credible card break platform.
No. We don’t know the size of your collection, but packs are not designed to have all cards graded. Some have a value of $0.01, and unless you are specifically collecting these cards, there is no real requirement or resale potential from these cards.
In truth, you don’t. This is one of the biggest drawbacks of grading cards yourself. However, you can put yourself in the best possible position by investing in card grading tools, chatting with vendors, and focusing on the four most important areas of grading: centering, edges, corners, and surface.
There are mixed opinions on this, as personal preference plays a huge part. However, we would suggest that PSA and BGS are the most credible names, and the PSA 10 and BGS 10 are some of the most sought-after slabs available.
Loading …
