As a Pokémon collector you obviously want your cards to stay in the best possible condition. But how do you know whether they really are in top condition, and what they are actually worth? That is where grading comes in. In this article we explain what grading is, why it matters, and how to get your cards graded.
What is grading?
Grading is the process where a professional company assesses the condition of your Pokémon cards and assigns a score. That score, running from 1 to 10, says how good your card looks and helps determine its value. The higher the score, the more your card is worth.
Grading looks at centering, corners, edges, surface and the hologram. The aim is to establish whether a card is flawless, or whether there are small (or large) defects.
Why you should have your Pokémon cards graded
There are several reasons why grading your Pokémon cards is a smart move:
- Raising the value: a well-graded card can be worth far more than an ungraded one. Rare cards such as Charizard or the Eeveelutions in particular can be worth thousands of euros once graded.
- Protection: graded cards come sealed in a hard case that protects them against damage, dust and other environmental factors. That keeps your card in top condition.
- Trust: if you want to sell the card, grading makes it easy for buyers to see that its condition has been professionally assessed.
- Collector value: grading adds value to your collection. A PSA 10 is something to be proud of, and it gives your collection extra standing.
How does the grading process work?
The grading process is fairly simple, but it can take a while. These are the basic steps:
- Submitting: you pick a grading company (more on that below) and send your cards in. There are several options: standard grading (which takes longer) or express grading (faster, but more expensive).
- Assessment: the cards are judged on several criteria: centering, corners, edges, surface and hologram. Each of those factors affects the final score.
- The grade: after the assessment you get a score from 1 to 10. The closer to 10, the better the card.
- Protection: graded cards are sealed into a hard case, so they are properly protected.
The best-known grading companies
There are several grading companies, but these are the most popular:
- PSA (Professional Sports Authenticator): the best-known grading company in the world, known for its accuracy and reliability. If you have a card graded by PSA, you know you are getting the best quality.
- Beckett Grading Services (BGS): Beckett is another well-regarded company and grades both sports cards and Pokémon cards. BGS is known for grading strictly.
- CGC (Certified Guaranty Company): CGC is relatively new to Pokémon cards, but is gaining popularity fast thanks to its detailed assessments and professional approach.
Grading costs
Grading costs vary with the company and the service you choose. In the Netherlands you usually pay between €10 and €50 per card, depending on the value of the card and the speed of the service. Express grading normally costs more, but is faster.
Why grade at all?
So grading brings several benefits. It does not just raise the value of your cards, it also keeps them well preserved and gives them a condition buyers can rely on. If you are a serious Pokémon collector, having your cards graded is a sensible investment. You get more value back, and you can sell or trade them more easily.
So if you take your collection seriously, grading your cards is a logical step. It adds value, and it makes sure your cards stay well protected for the future.
