Amidst the current trading card craze, you've probably heard of grading cards. Here, we reveal everything you need to know about grading cards from Pokémon, One Piece, Dragon Ball, and more. Whether you're just curious or thinking about it, this article is for you.
Index:
- What does grading cards mean?
- Benefits of grading your cards
- Types of cards you can grade
- Aspects evaluated during grading
- Rating scales
- Where to grade your cards?
- Preparing and sending your grading letters
- Card grading cost
WHAT DOES GRADING CHARTS MEAN?
Card grading is the process by which a private company professionally evaluates the authenticity and overall condition of a card. Depending on various aspects that are analyzed, a score is assigned ranging from 1 to 10. The closer to 10, the better the condition of the card. Once graded, the card is returned in a rigid plastic case along with a certificate of authenticity.
BENEFITS OF GRADING YOUR LETTERS
Grading your cards provides several benefits, such as preventing deterioration and, in many cases, increasing their value compared to a raw (ungraded) card. However, it is important to remember that you should only grade a high-value card if you are confident that it will score well, as a low grade can limit its value on the market.
TYPES OF LETTERS YOU CAN GRADE
Generally, you can grade standard size cards (63mm x 88mm) from sets such as Pokémon, Magic The Gathering, DragonBall Super, Yu-gi-Oh, Digimon, Final Fantasy, Force of Will, Naruto, Vanguard Cardfight, World of Warcraft, Harry Potter, and Flesh & Blood, among others.
ASPECTS EVALUATED DURING THE GRADUATION
Grading companies evaluate several aspects of the card, such as its authenticity, centering, edges and surface. It is therefore advisable to perform a critical self-assessment before sending a card for grading.
SCORING SCALES
Grading companies use standard scoring scales to evaluate cards. Scores can range from 1 to 2 (Poor), 2.5 to 5 (Good), 5 to 6.5 (Excellent), 7 to 9 (Near Mint), 9.5 (Mint) to 10 (Perfect).
| Punctuation | Category | Description | ||
| 1 to 2 | Poor | The worst condition a card can be in. It will have massive damage across the board. | ||
| 2.5 to 5 | Good | Card with various defects but of lesser importance than the previous category. Paint faults, corners, wrinkles, pitting, etc. | ||
| 5 to 6.5 | Excellent | Minor paint and corner defects. Better centering than lower grades. Corners with minor damage. Possible small crease. | ||
| 7 to 9 | Near Mint | Minor surface damage. Acceptable centering. No deep scratches, some superficial. | ||
| 9.5 | Mint | Hardly any damage, some minor imperfections in the paint allowed. Almost perfect centering. | ||
| 10 | Perfect | As the name suggests, perfect. Without any defects. Some companies unify this category with the previous one or use a different name. |
WHERE TO GRADE YOUR LETTERS?
The most reputable companies for grading your cards include PSA Card Grading (USA), Beckett Grading (USA) and European Grading (Spain). The choice will depend on factors such as shipping costs, processing times and customs considerations.
PREPARING AND SENDING YOUR GRADUATION LETTERS
It is vital to properly prepare and package your cards for shipping. Cards should be in loose sleeves and inside a Top Loader to protect them during transport. Additionally, you should ship them in a cardboard box, preferably with bubble wrap to ensure their safety. Here are some links to purchase the necessary materials.
COST OF GRADING CARDS
The cost of grading cards varies depending on the company and may change over time due to demand. Therefore, we recommend that you check directly on the websites of these companies to find out the current cost. Our suggestion is that you use a company that is within your country or in the European Community to minimize costs, processing times and customs issues.
In conclusion, grading your cards can be an exciting and potentially lucrative process. If you have valuable cards and are considering grading them, we encourage you to follow the information presented in this comprehensive guide on how to grade cards. Happy collecting!