The Process and Value of Grading Your Pokémon Cards

Today, we frequently hear the term “graded” card within the Pokémon TCG community. This term simply refers to cards that have been professionally rated by a grading company.

Graded cards are a fundamental variation within Pokémon card collecting, as their price can vary drastically depending on the company that evaluated the card and the score it received. That is why it is essential for a collector to be informed and astute in the market, by knowing everything related to the grading process.

 

What are "Graded" Pokémon Cards?

"Graded" cards are specimens that have undergone a process of certification and rating by a professional evaluation company. This company assigns them a numerical score (grade) that reflects their state of preservation.

Scores typically range on a scale from 1 to 10, where 10 represents the highest possible condition (commonly known as Gem Mint). After the evaluation, the company proceeds to encapsulate the card in a sealed protective box of rigid plastic, called a slab, in order to guarantee its authenticity and long-term preservation.

 

 

Why Grade Your Cards?

Grading Pokémon cards offers multiple advantages for any collector:

• Protection and Conservation: Grading companies encapsulate cards in sealed capsules (slabs) of rigid plastic. This protection isolates them from handling, dust, and humidity, offering superior preservation to that provided by traditional sleeves or binders.
• Guarantee of Authenticity: The grading service goes beyond a simple score. The company acts as an expert verifier, certifying that the card is genuine. Since serious companies do not grade fake specimens, a graded card offers unquestionable security in the market.
• Impartial and Professional Evaluation: A detailed and accurate rating of the card's condition is obtained, issued by a professional. This standardized evaluation eliminates subjectivity and allows the condition to be universally recognized.
• Increase in Value and Liquidity: By having a score certified by a third party, the buyer has full confidence in the card's condition. This makes specimens with high scores (especially 9 and 10) much more attractive and sought after, resulting in a significant increase in their value and greater ease in selling them.
  

 

 

How are Cards Graded?

Although each grading company maintains its own internal methods and slightly different criteria, they all inspect four basic characteristics to determine a card's final score. These are the four essential sub-criteria:

• Centering: Refers to the alignment of the card's artwork within the border frame. It is evaluated by measuring the proportion of the top/bottom and left/right margins. The more uniform the border space, the better the score in this criterion.
• Corners: The sharpness and condition of the four tips of the card are inspected. Any sign of rounding, whitening (loss of color due to friction), or impact damage will reduce the score.
• Edges: The smoothness and wear of the four sides of the card are evaluated (both front and back). Imperfections such as chips, scratches, or signs of peeling that indicate handling or wear are sought.
• Surface: The general condition of the faces of the card is inspected (both front and back). Defects such as scratches, defective prints, factory marks, indentations, or dirt spots are sought.
  

 

 

Which Grading Company to Choose?

While there are increasingly more companies dedicated to TCG card grading, market value is dominated by the three most established and reliable companies. The choice of one or the other directly influences the final price of the card.

• Professional Sports Authenticator (PSA): It is the undisputed leader in the volume of graded cards and the most popular option worldwide. Its fame is due to its slabs being the gold standard of the market; that is, a card in PSA 10 is usually the easiest to sell and often sets the reference price for that card in perfect condition. Its approach is simple: a single final grade.
• Beckett Grading Services (BGS): Recognized by high-level collectors. BGS is famous for its rigorous sub-grading system, where the final score is complemented by the rating of the four criteria (Centering, Corners, etc.). Its most coveted score is the Black Label (BGS 10), which represents absolute perfection in all sub-grades and can reach a price even higher than the PSA 10.
• Certified Guaranty Company (CGC): Initially a giant in the comic book sector, it has rapidly consolidated in the TCG. CGC earned the reputation of being extremely strict in its grading. This has led many collectors to value it for the guarantee of condition it offers, although its prices in the secondary market may currently be slightly lower than those of PSA for identical grades.

Other Options: Emerging companies such as TAG or ACE exist that offer innovative proposals (such as the use of artificial intelligence for grading), but they are currently less relevant in the high-value market as they have not yet achieved the history and trust of the big three.

 

 

Which Cards to Choose for Grading?

The golden rule in grading is simple: the cost of the service should not exceed the expected market value of the card once graded. However, in addition to monetary value, there are other key criteria for deciding which cards to send:

• High Score Potential (Condition): This is the most important factor. Only cards in Near Mint condition or higher should be considered. The real value multiplies when a Grade 10 (Gem Mint) is achieved, as the price difference between an ungraded card and one in PSA 10 is enormous.
• Intrinsic Rarity: It is recommended to grade specimens that are limited by nature, such as First Editions (1st Edition), Ancient Rare Holos (Vintage), promotional cards with unique stamps, or cards with printing errors. Their inherent scarcity makes their value as a conserved asset increase exponentially.
• Popularity and Demand: Extremely popular and desired cards, such as modern Secret Rare (SR) or Special Illustration Rare (SIR), despite not being as scarce as the vintage ones, have high constant demand. Grading them makes them more attractive and liquid for collectors looking for "ready-to-display" cards.
• Sentimental Value and Conservation: Grading is an excellent option if you have a card you are particularly fond of. Encapsulating it in a slab guarantees that it is conserved in an unalterable and professional manner, protecting that personal memory forever.
  

 

 

How Can I Send My Cards for Grading?

Sending cards for grading is the final step, and the method can vary significantly depending on the selected grading company and the country from which the shipment is made. Therefore, it is strongly recommended to directly consult the detailed protocols on the official website of the chosen company or resort to professional intermediaries or specialized TCG stores that manage group shipments.

It is essential to note that the cost of grading is not fixed. Companies adjust their fees based on the estimated market value of the card (which determines the insurance and the service level) and the speed with which the process is desired.

Despite the variations, the general process follows a logical sequence:

1. Preparation and Declaration (Submission): The collector must prepare the card. Then, a digital submission form is filled out on the company's website, declaring the card, its estimated value (for insurance and choosing the service level), and the desired service type.
2. Packaging and Shipping: The cards must be meticulously packaged to protect them from any damage during transport. It is recommended to use shipping services with tracking and insurance that cover the total declared value of the cards.
3. Inspection, Grading, and Encapsulation: Once received, the company performs the authentication, inspection, and grading process based on the four criteria. Finally, the card is permanently sealed in its slab with its final score.
4. Return to the Customer: After the final payment for the service, the cards are packaged again securely and insured by the grading company and sent back to the customer. This process can take from a few weeks to several months, depending on the service level contracted.