If you’ve just pulled a couple of high-value rookie parallels or a rare alt-art card, picking the right grading service can make a world of difference. Some of the most popular card grading companies include Professional Sports Authenticator (PSA), Beckett Grading Services (BGS), and Sportscard Guaranty Corporation (SGC). Each of these services offers unique benefits for collectors. Discover the right choice for your favorite cards with this guide.
Comparing The Big Three
Let’s review some of the most important grading criteria and see how each company performs.
Grading Scale
- PSA: If you’ve ever stepped into sports card stores, you’ve probably seen a PSA-graded single on sale. As the most popular grading company, PSA’s scale is a simple 1-10 ladder that doesn’t include half-points or sub-grades. A 10 is a ‘Gem Mint’, a virtually flawless card that almost certainly commands a high price point.
- BGS: BGS also uses 1-10 scale. The difference here is that they also include half-point increments on their scale (like an 8.5). BGS’s grading system supports sub-grades focusing on centering, edges, corners, and surface quality. The maximum BGS grade, a ‘Pristine’, needs a card to score a perfect 10 in at least three sub-grades.
- SGC: SGC used to follow a complicated 10-100 scale until recently. The company has since shifted to a 1-10 scale that aligns with PSA. A perfect 10 is a ‘Pristine’, like with BGS’s system. Notably, getting a higher grade on the SGC scale is easier than it is with BGS or PSA.
Resale Values and Buyer Perception
PSA is the undisputed market leader in terms of resale value and market demand. Since most buyers are aware of PSA’s strict grading process, they’re typically willing to pay more for higher-grade PSA cards. If your only priority for grading is to secure a higher resale value for your cards, you usually can’t go wrong with PSA.
BGS is next in terms of buyer perception. Their sub-grade system gives a lot more insight into the actual condition of each individual card, allowing potential buyers to see exactly what they’re paying for. A Black Label BGS 10 can even fetch higher prices than PSA 10s in some instances, as seen with the Sword and Shield VMAX Charizard.
SGC might not command the widespread appeal that PSA and BGS do, but they’re still known for their reliability and speed, especially for vintage cards.
Turnaround Time
Turnaround time is one of the biggest considerations for collectors who need to sell their cards quickly. Let’s see how each grading company fares:
- PSA turnaround times can vary drastically based on the graded item and the service tier, ranging from just a few days (Super Express/Walk-Through tier) to 2-3 months. Buyers can also opt for express grading services, but these costs can rack up quickly at $599.00/card for an insured value of $10,000.
- BGS offers tiered services like PSA, and its turnaround times are fairly similar. BGS’s highest priority tier offers a turnaround time of 2-3 days at $124.95/card.
- SGC is known for its fast grading rates. While the prices vary based on your card’s declared value, their ‘Immediate’ grading tier promises a turnaround time of 1-2 days, with the lowest price being $40.00/card for a declared value of <$1,500.
Cost
PSA is easily the most expensive of the three. Their individual grading prices vary from $24.99/card (Value) to $599.00 (Walk-Through). The trade-off here is higher-resolution imaging and detailed grader notes.
BGS’s pricing range is much narrower. Their ‘Base’ tier (with a turnaround of 45+ days) costs $14.95/card, while the ‘Priority’ tier (turnaround of 2-3 days) is priced at $124.95.
SGC’s most affordable grading tier is competitive with BGS at $15.00/card. The upside here is that you’ll get your cards back much faster (within 15-20 days) even at the standard tier.
Find Your Next Mint Gem
Nothing beats the sheer excitement of getting a perfect 10 in the mail. Go with PSA if your top priority is future resale value, and budgeting isn’t a big concern. BGS offers a great middle ground and potentially even higher resale value for certain TCGs. SGC, finally, is the best option if you’re looking for a quick grade while building up your collection.
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