Introduction: Why Grading Matters
Card grading has transformed the trading card hobby. A Pokémon card in a PSA 10 slab can be worth ten times the same card raw. A BGS 9.5 Black Label is one of the most coveted designations in the hobby. CGC has built a reputation for consistency that's won over a generation of collectors.
But with three major grading companies dominating the market — PSA, BGS (Beckett), and CGC — choosing where to send your cards can feel overwhelming. Each has different grades, different costs, different turnaround times, and different reputations. This guide breaks it all down.
PSA — Professional Sports Authenticator
The Background
PSA is the oldest and most recognised grading company in the hobby. Founded in 1991, it built its reputation grading sports cards before expanding into Pokémon, Magic: The Gathering, Yu-Gi-Oh!, and other TCGs. The PSA label is the most universally recognised in the world — if you show a graded card to someone outside the hobby, they're most likely to recognise PSA.
The Grading Scale
PSA uses a 1–10 numerical scale:
- PSA 10 Gem Mint: Perfect or near-perfect card. Four sharp corners, full original gloss, no staining, centring within 55/45 front and 75/25 back.
- PSA 9 Mint: One minor flaw — a slight touch of wear on a corner, minor print imperfection, or slightly off-centre.
- PSA 8 Near Mint-Mint: Slight surface wear, minor scratches, or slightly off-centre.
- PSA 7 Near Mint: Light play wear visible on inspection.
- PSA 6 and below: Played conditions, creases, heavy wear.
PSA does not award half-point grades. A card is either a 9 or a 10 — there's no 9.5.
The PSA Label
The iconic red PSA label is immediately recognisable. Each slab has a unique certification number that can be verified on PSA's website, confirming the card's authenticity and grade.
Costs and Turnaround
PSA offers multiple service tiers, from economy (slowest, cheapest) to super express (fastest, most expensive). Economy submissions typically take several months; express tiers can return cards in weeks. Prices start from around $20–25 per card for economy and rise significantly for faster tiers.
Who Should Use PSA?
- Collectors focused on resale value — PSA 10s command the highest premiums on the secondary market
- Anyone submitting Pokémon cards — PSA is the dominant grader in the Pokémon market
- Collectors who want maximum liquidity — PSA slabs sell fastest and most easily
BGS — Beckett Grading Services
The Background
Beckett is the other giant of the grading world. Founded in 1984 as a price guide publisher, Beckett launched its grading service in the late 1990s. BGS built its reputation in the sports card market and remains the preferred grader for many vintage sports card collectors.
In the TCG space, BGS is known for its rigorous, sub-grade system — and for the legendary Black Label designation.
The Grading Scale
BGS uses a 1–10 scale with half-point increments, and uniquely, grades four sub-categories separately:
- Centering
- Corners
- Edges
- Surface
The overall grade is determined by these four sub-grades. This transparency is one of BGS's most distinctive features — you know exactly why a card received its grade.
The Black Label
BGS 9.5 Pristine is the standard top grade. But BGS also awards a BGS 10 Pristine Black Label — reserved for cards where all four sub-grades are 10. Black Labels are extraordinarily rare and command massive premiums. A Black Label Charizard or Black Label Pikachu is one of the most valuable cards in the hobby.
Costs and Turnaround
BGS pricing is similar to PSA, with multiple service tiers. Economy submissions take several months; faster tiers are available at higher cost.
Who Should Use BGS?
- Collectors who want detailed sub-grade information
- Anyone chasing the Black Label designation
- Vintage sports card collectors — BGS dominates this market
- Collectors who value grading transparency over brand recognition
CGC — Certified Guaranty Company
The Background
CGC entered the trading card grading market in 2020, having previously built a dominant reputation grading comic books. Their expansion into TCGs was rapid and well-received — CGC brought comic book grading's rigour and consistency to the card hobby.
CGC has grown quickly and is now firmly established as the third major grading company, with a particularly strong following among collectors who value consistency and turnaround times.
The Grading Scale
CGC uses a 1–10 scale with half-point increments (similar to BGS). Their top grade is CGC 10 Pristine, with CGC 9.5 Gem Mint being the most commonly achieved top-tier grade for modern cards.
CGC also offers a Perfect 10 designation — similar to BGS's Black Label — for cards that achieve perfect scores across all grading criteria.
The CGC Label
CGC slabs use a distinctive label design with a holographic security strip. The label colour indicates the grade tier — gold for top grades, silver for mid-range, and so on.
Costs and Turnaround
CGC has historically offered more competitive turnaround times than PSA and BGS at similar price points, though this varies by service tier and submission volume. They're often the fastest option for collectors who need cards returned quickly.
Who Should Use CGC?
- Collectors who prioritise consistency and turnaround time
- Anyone grading Magic: The Gathering or Yu-Gi-Oh! cards — CGC has strong market share here
- Collectors new to grading who want a reliable, well-regarded option
- Anyone who values the half-point grade system
Head-to-Head Comparison
| Factor | PSA | BGS | CGC |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scale | 1–10 (whole numbers) | 1–10 (half points + sub-grades) | 1–10 (half points) |
| Top Grade | PSA 10 Gem Mint | BGS 10 Black Label | CGC 10 Pristine |
| Sub-grades | No | Yes (4 categories) | No |
| Brand Recognition | Highest | High | Growing |
| Pokémon Market | Dominant | Strong | Growing |
| MTG/YGO Market | Strong | Moderate | Strong |
| Resale Liquidity | Highest | High | Good |
Which Should You Choose?
Send to PSA if: You're grading Pokémon cards, you want maximum resale value, or you're submitting cards you plan to sell. PSA 10s command the highest premiums and sell the fastest.
Send to BGS if: You want detailed sub-grade information, you're chasing the Black Label, or you're grading vintage sports cards. BGS's transparency is unmatched.
Send to CGC if: You want reliable consistency, faster turnaround, or you're grading MTG or Yu-Gi-Oh! cards. CGC is an excellent all-rounder and is growing rapidly in the TCG space.
Many serious collectors use all three — sending different cards to different companies based on the card's market and their goals.
Grading at ChariCards
We stock graded cards from PSA, BGS, and CGC at ChariCards. We also offer a card submission service — if you want to get your cards graded but don't know where to start, get in touch and we'll walk you through the process.
For a deeper dive into grading, check out our full Grading Guide — covering everything from how to assess your card's condition before submission to which company to choose for specific sets.