How Much Does It Cost To Have Baseball Cards Graded?

A lot of people don’t realize how much it costs to have baseball cards graded. The process is not cheap, and it can often be confusing. This blog post will help to explain the process and the costs associated with it.

Introduction

Baseball cards that have been professionally graded can sell for significantly more money than ungraded cards. Graded cards are given a score based on their condition, and this score is displayed on the card in a tamper-proof case.

The two main companies that grade baseball cards are PSA (Professional Sports Authenticators) and Beckett. The cost to have a baseball card graded by either company depends on the size of the card and whether or not you want expedited service.

Here is a breakdown of the fees charged by PSA for grading standard sized cards:
-Basic Grading Service: $10 per card, 3-4 week turnaround time
-Expedited Grading Service: $20 per card, 1-2 week turnaround time
-Bulk Discounts available for submissions of 20 or more cards at once

What is Grading?

Grading is the process of determining the quality and value of a baseball card. A grading company uses experts to determine the value of a card based on its condition. The three main types of grading are raw, unopened, and slabbed. A raw card is a card that has not been graded, an unopened card is a card that has not been opened or played with, and a slabbed card is a card that has been graded and sealed in a hard plastic case.

The Three Types of Grading

There are three types of grading: raw, authenticated, and certified. Raw grading is the quickest and easiest way to get your cards graded. You simply send your cards in to the company, and they will grade them and provide you with a report. This type of grading is best for low-value cards or for those who do not wish to wait for their cards to be graded.

Authenticated grading is a more involved process. Your cards will be reviewed by an expert panel, who will then determine the grades for your cards. This type of grading can take several weeks, but it provides you with a more accurate assessment of your cards’ values.

Certified grading is the most rigorous type of grading. Your cards will be sent to an independent laboratory for examination. This process can take several months, but it provides you with the most accurate assessment of your cards’ values.

PSA

PSA (Professional Sports Authenticator) is the largest and most well-known sports card grading company. PSA charges a fee to grade your card(s), and will give the card(s) a numerical grade from 1 to 10, with 10 being perfect. The higher the grade, the more valuable the card is. PSA will also encapsulate your card in a hard plastic case so it can’t be tampered with, which adds to the value of the card.

SGC

.2 SGC is short for Sports Card Guaranty company. They are professional card graders that will assess the condition of your card and assign it a numerical grade from 1-10, with 10 being a perfect, brand new card fresh off the presses. Cards graded by SGC are also given a more specific letter grade that corresponds to the 1-10 numerical grades as follows:
A – 1, 3
B – 4, 6
C – 7, 8
D – 9, 10

SGC is generally considered to be stricter than other grading companies when it comes to assigning grades to cards. This is because SGC encapsulates the card in a hard plastic case which protects it from any outside damage, meaning that they can focus purely on the condition of the card itself. Because of this extra level of protection, cards graded by SGC tend to be worth more money than cards graded by other companies.

GAI

3 GAI is a grading company that uses a ten point scale. meaning a card can range in score from a 1 to a 10. A card needs to be in nearly perfect condition to get a 10, while a 1 is given to a card that is damaged or heavily worn. A 3 GAI card is in good condition, with wear visible to the naked eye.

How Much Does Grading Cost?

The cost of grading baseball cards will vary depending on the company you use, how many cards you have, and the turnaround time you need. Generally, most companies will charge between $5 and $10 per card. So, if you have 100 cards, it would cost you $500 to $1000 to have them graded.

PSA

PSA is the world’s largest and most trusted third-party grading service for collectibles with over 40 million collectibles graded. To have your collectible graded by PSA, please use the submission form below to request a shipping label. You will be able to track your item’s progress online from the time it arrives at our facility until it is ready to ship back to you, typically within 10 business days.

The cost for PSA grading services is as follows:

Cards: $10 per card
Autographs: $25 per autograph
Tickets & Stubs: $25 per ticket/stub
Coins: $35 per coin
Memorabilia: Quote Based on Item

SGC

Sports Card Guarantee (SGC) is a professional sports card grading company. They were established in 1991 and have been providing services to collectors ever since. SGC offers three service levels: Standard, Premium, and Ultra Premium. Pricing is based on the service level you choose and the number of cards you submit.

SGC’s Standard service starts at $10 per card for singles and $20 per card for sets. This is their most popular service and turnaround time is typically 4-6 weeks. Premium service starts at $25 per card for singles and $50 per card for sets. This service includes a more thorough cleaning of your cards as well as authentication of autographs and memorabilia cards. Ultra Premium service is their top-of-the-line option and starts at $50 per card for singles with autographs and $100 per card for sets with autographs. This service includes everything in the Premium level plus additional authentication of your cards by a team of experts. Turnaround time for Ultra Premium submissions is 6-8 weeks.

To get started, simply create an account on their website and submit your request along with your payment information. Once your payment has been processed, you will be provided with shipping instructions. Once SGC receives your cards, they will grade them and return them to you within the timeframe specified by the level of service you chose.

GAI

The answer to this question can vary based on the grading company you use and the level of grading that you choose. For example, GAI (Global Authentication, Inc.) is a well-known baseball card grading company. The cost for GAI to grade a baseball card can range from $6-$8 per card for their economy level service to $25 per card for their premium level service.

Conclusion

The bottom line is that the cost of grading baseball cards depends on a number of factors, including the type of service you choose, the number of cards you need to have graded, and the turn-around time you require. The best way to get an accurate estimate is to contact a professional grading service and request a quote.