A graded card has been sent to an independent company that checks it is genuine, scores its condition and seals it in a hard plastic case, usually called a slab. The two names you will see most often are PSA (Professional Sports Authenticator) and BGS (Beckett Grading Services).
What graders look at
- Centering: how evenly the artwork sits inside the borders, front and back.
- Corners: sharp, or showing wear and whitening.
- Edges: chipping or roughness along the sides.
- Surface: scratches, print lines, dents or stains.
The PSA scale
PSA grades from 1 to 10 in whole numbers for most cards. PSA 10 is called Gem Mint, PSA 9 is Mint and PSA 8 is Near Mint-Mint. The label shows one overall grade.
The BGS scale
BGS also grades from 1 to 10 but uses half points, so you will see grades such as 9.5. Its label can show four subgrades, one each for centering, corners, edges and surface. BGS 9.5 is Gem Mint and BGS 10 is Pristine. A BGS 10 with all four subgrades at 10 gets a black label, the hardest grade to earn in the hobby.
Why the grade matters
For a sought-after card the difference between one grade and the next can be several times the price, because top grades are scarce. That is also why you should always check the exact grade before buying: two slabs of the same card are not the same product.
Before you buy a graded card
- Confirm the grade and the grading company on the label.
- Look up the certificate number on the grading company’s website to confirm it matches the card.
- Check the case itself for cracks or signs of tampering.
Browse graded cards, or go straight to Pokémon and sports graded cards.