How Much Does It Cost to Get a Pokémon Card Graded?
On average, you can expect to spend $20-$50 per card to have your Pokémon cards professionally graded by PSA, BGS or CGC grading services. Costs can go over $100+ per card for premium services on high value vintage cards.
The 3 main professional grading companies each offer various service tiers, turnaround times and prices:
- PSA – Starts at $10 per card. Most popular service.
- BGS – Starts at $25 per card. Uses half-point grading scale.
- CGC – Starts around $15 per card. Known for fast turnaround.
But is grading worth the investment? Let‘s take a deeper look at the grading process and factors to consider.
Card Grading Companies – History and Reputations
PSA, BGS and CGC are the major players when it comes to card grading. Here‘s some background on each company:
PSA
- Founded in 1991. The largest and most well-known grading company.
- Have graded over 40 million cards to date including over 6.5 million Pokémon cards.
- Known for consistent, strict grading standards and secure card slabs.
- PSA 10 graded cards typically fetch the highest premiums on the resale market.
BGS
- Founded in 1996. Known for durable card slabs and sub-grades.
- Use a 1-10 grading scale with half point increments (8, 8.5, 9, etc).
- Have graded 20+ million cards including 2+ million Pokémon cards.
- BGS Black Label pristine 10s are very rare and desirable.
CGC
- Founded in 2006. A relatively new grading company.
- Focus on quick turnaround times and affordable pricing.
- Blue-tinted slabs help differentiate CGC cards.
- Have graded 2+ million cards, gaining market share.
Grading Company Comparison
| Company | Founded | Grading Scale | Price Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| PSA | 1991 | 1-10 | $10-$600 per card |
| BGS | 1996 | 1-10 (0.5 increments) | $25-$300 per card |
| CGC | 2006 | 1-10 | $15-$75 per card |
So which company to choose? PSA remains the leader, but many collectors use both PSA and BGS. CGC is emerging as a budget option.
Grading Cost Breakdown
Let‘s take a closer look at the grading costs at each service level tier:
PSA Grading Costs
| Service | Turnaround Est. | Price Per Card |
|---|---|---|
| Value | 12+ months | $10 |
| Economy | 45 business days | $20 |
| Regular | 30 business days | $50 |
| Express | 5 business days | $150 |
| Super Express | 1 business day | $600 |
*PSA charges extra for high value cards declared over $10k in value.
BGS Grading Costs
| Service | Turnaround Est. | Price Per Card |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | 6-12 weeks | $25 |
| Express | 3-5 weeks | $75 |
| Super Express | 5 business days | $150 |
| WalkThrough | 24 hours | $300 |
*BGS has a $300 max per order.
CGC Grading Costs
| Service | Turnaround Est. | Price Per Card |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | 30-45 days | $15 |
| Express | 7-14 days | $50 |
| Super Express | 3 days | $75 |
*CGC offers volume discounts.
So for a single card, you can expect to pay $20-$50 for basic grading service from the major companies. But turnaround speed, volume discounts, and high-value upcharges can all affect costs.
Grading Impact on Card Values
Here‘s how PSA and BGS grades impact card values on the resale market:
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A PSA 10 or BGS 10 card can sell for many multiples of an ungraded card in similar condition. The boost depends greatly on the card‘s rarity.
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A PSA 9 or BGS 9 still typically commands a significant premium over ungraded, but less than a 10. Usually double to triple the price.
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PSA 8 and BGS 8 grades see a more modest bump in value – around 20-50% higher.
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Poor grades below PSA 7 or BGS 8 have minimal impact versus ungraded cards. Could even trade at a discount.
Let‘s take a 1999 1st Edition Shadowless Charizard as an example, one of the most sought after cards:
- PSA 10 Gem Mint: $200k+ value (Only 121 graded to date)
- PSA 9 Mint: $60k+ value
- Ungraded: $15k-25k value
For iconic vintage cards like this in top condition, the impact of earning a PSA 10 versus an ungraded card is a nearly 10x increase in value. That‘s the kind of return on investment possible with grading.
When Does Grading Make Sense?
Grading is a calculated investment. Here are some tips on deciding when it makes sense financially:
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For highly rare and valuable cards – Iconic cards from Base Set, Jungle, Fossil, Rocket, etc.
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If condition warrants it – Mint or Gem Mint cards only. Heavily played not worth it.
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If selling, not collecting – Grading is about maximizing market value. Personal collectors don‘t always need to grade.
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For long term holdings – Graded cards better maintain value over decades.
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For authentication – Grading prevents fraud for high value vintage cards.
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For increased scarcity – Only a small % of PSA 10s exist for the rarest cards.
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For marketability – PSA and BGS slabs are universally recognized by buyers.
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When prices justify costs – Factor in grading costs, shipping insurance, potential grading increase.
Here are examples of cards that may not be worth grading:
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Heavily played condition cards with worn edges, scratches, creases etc. Won‘t grade well.
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Modern English base set cards. Large supply keeps values lower.
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Cheap common and uncommon cards. Grading costs won‘t justify any increase.
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Damaged or fake cards. Grading authenticates and encapsulates cards.
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Personal collection cards. Collectors don‘t always need graded cards in slabs.
Protecting Your Cards During Grading
When sending valuable cards in for grading, take steps to prevent damage, loss, or theft:
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Double sleeve cards in semi-rigid sleeves prior to shipment for protection.
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Consider grading insurance in case of damage or loss by the grading company.
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Track packages and verify receipt of your cards by the grading companies.
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Reputable graders have robust internal security procedures for your cards.
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Avoid grading during peak times when volumes overwhelm graders.
For extremely high value cards, some collectors avoid risk of shipping by having graders evaluate the cards personally on-site.
The Card Grading Process
So what exactly happens when you submit your cards for grading?
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Authentication – Graders first verify the card is real and not counterfeit or altered. Special tools, blacklights, magnifiers used.
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Initial evaluation – Experts visually inspect for overall condition and identify defects using standard criteria.
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Numeric grading – Based on initial evaluation, a numeric grade is assigned based on a 10 point scale.
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Sub-grades (optional) – Categories like centering, corners, edges may each get a sub-grade.
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Encapsulation – Card gets sealed in a protective clear plastic slab with label displaying grade.
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Certification – Tamper-evident sticker seals slab and a unique cert number is assigned.
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Documentation – Grade card gets added to population reports, census databases, and registries.
High value cards may go before multiple graders and senior experts for re-evaluation. Graders take their responsibilities very seriously.
Should You Grade Your Pokémon Cards?
Here are my 5 tips for deciding if submitting your cards for grading makes sense:
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Verify authenticity first – Have valuable vintage cards professionally authenticated before grading.
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Evaluate condition meticulously – Judge centering, corners, edges under magnification. Know realistic grade.
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Check pop reports & values – Research PSA/BGS population data. Know market value in your target grade.
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Weigh costs vs. gains – Conservative grading ROI should exceed 150%+ to make sense.
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Focus on iconic cards – Prioritize rare vintage cards from popular sets like Base, Jungle, Rocket.
Grading can be a smart investment in increasing your collection‘s market value and liquidity. But it comes with costs. Use the right strategies, and grading will pay dividends for decades to come.
The Surging Pokémon Grading Boom
Over 25 million Pokémon cards have been graded by PSA, BGS and CGC to date. And submissions keep surging:
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PSA Pokémon cards graded
- 2020: 3.1 million
- 2021: 5.8 million
- 2022 projected: 11+ million
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BGS Pokémon cards graded
- 2020: 195k
- 2021: 440k
- 2022 projected: 700k+
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CGC Pokémon cards graded
- 2020: 300k
- 2021: 600k
- 2022 projected: 1 million+
Many collectors speculate we‘re in a grading bubble right now. Cards that would normally sell raw are getting flooded into grading services. This rush to grade is driven by:
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Hype around influencers and media – YouTube, Twitch, Logan Paul all stoking interest among new collectors.
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Rapid price gains – Seeing 2020-2021 gains, collectors FOMO into grading chasing more upside.
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Oversupply of modern – Massive print runs of new sets like Celebrations and recent Japanese sets.
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Liquidity from stimulus – Disposable income from COVID stimulus checks contributed, allowing more collectors to grade.
In the short term, this influx could cause graded card supply to exceed demand for certain modern sets. Prices may stagnate or retrace some. But for truly scarce vintage cards in top condition, grading services provide proven and important liquidity and authentication. The surge has its risks but will continue driving Pokémon collecting mainstream.
The Bottom Line
Grading is an investment that makes the most financial sense for rare, high-value vintage cards in pristine condition when selling. It authenticates, preserves and significantly increases values. For the right cards, it‘s well worth the time and money.
But grading modern cards with little scarcity or cheaper cards with condition issues is less likely to yield a return. Not every card is worth submitting. Target iconic cards from the early Wizards of the Coast era when growth potential is highest.
As the hobby continues evolving, PSA, BGS and CGC grading will remain a crucial tool for collectors to authenticate their cards and maximize market value. Just be selective in choosing which of your cards to grade, and the investment will pay dividends for your collection.