Card grading with PSA, CGC and BGS — what it is, what it costs and when it pays off
A professional grade can multiply a card’s price — or eat the whole profit. Grading scales, costs and a simple break-even calculation.
What grading is
You send the card to a grading company, which checks authenticity and condition, assigns a numeric grade and seals the card in a hard case (“slab”) with a label and certificate number you can verify online.
The main companies
| Company | Scale | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| PSA | 1–10 | largest and best-known; PSA 10s usually resell highest |
| CGC | 1–10 with halves; Pristine 10 and Gem Mint 10 | popular in Europe |
| Beckett (BGS) | 1–10 with subgrades | separate scores for centering, corners, edges, surface; Black Label 10 is the top honour |
What affects the grade
Centering, corners, edges (whitening on the back) and surface (scratches, dents, print lines). Even pack-fresh cards can have factory flaws.
What it costs
The fee depends on the company, declared value and turnaround time. Add shipping both ways, insurance and possible import taxes. Check current price lists on the companies’ sites — they change several times a year.
When grading pays off
- Raw price of the card (see its Cardometer page).
- Realistic price with the grade you expect — be conservative (a 9, not a 10).
- Total grading cost per card.
If (2) minus (1) is clearly bigger than (3), grade it. Examples of cards that are often graded:
| # | Carte | Set | Prix du jour | 30 days |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Gengar 10/144 | Skyridge | 8 704,81 € | +148% |
| 2 |  Mew XY192 | XY Black Star Promos | 5 550,00 € | +19% |
| 3 |  Mewtwo EX XY125 | XY Black Star Promos | 5 550,00 € | +19% |
| 4 |  Mewtwo EX XY107 | XY Black Star Promos | 5 550,00 € | +19% |
| 5 |  Mewtwo XY101 | XY Black Star Promos | 5 550,00 € | +19% |
| 6 |  Charizard 146/144 | Skyridge | 4 918,35 € | +23% |
| 7 |  Lugia 149/147 | Aquapolis | 4 634,17 € | +34% |
| 8 |  Mudkip 4/5 | Poké Card Creator Pack | 2 911,86 € | +104% |
Prix : tendance Cardmarket, mise à jour quotidienne — au 30 octobre 2026.
Preparing a card
- Don’t clean with chemicals; remove dust with microfibre.
- Use a fresh penny sleeve and a semi-rigid or toploader as required.
- Photograph both sides before sending.
Questions fréquentes
Is PSA 10 the same as CGC 10?
No. Both mean no visible flaws, but the market usually pays more for PSA 10. CGC also has a higher Pristine 10.
How long does grading take?
From a few weeks to several months, depending on the company and service level.
Can a card be removed from the slab?
Yes, but the slab must be broken — the card loses its grade. This is irreversible.
Sources
Les prix de cet article proviennent de la base Cardometer (tendance Cardmarket) et se mettent à jour automatiquement. À titre informatif, pas un conseil en investissement.