If you are new to collecting cards, you probably have a lot of questions. From which cards are worth the most, how to spot fakes, and what ‘grading’ means in this context. But, why grade trading cards in the first place, and why is card grading important for collectors USA?
Whether you want sports card grading USA or Pokémon card grading USA, Get Graded is here to help. Not only is the value of graded cards often higher than ungraded cards, but there are numerous card grading benefits to consider if you are on the fence about it.
What Is Card Grading, and How Does It Work?
Before we can jump into answering the question of ‘why is card grading important for collectors’, you need to know what it is. Grading is the term used to refer to when collectors send their beloved cards (Pokémon, sport, you name it!) to a grading business (like us), where the pros will analyze the cards to determine its condition and whether it is authentic, and slap a numerical ‘grade’ on it to reflect this.
Grading can vary depending on the level of damage a card has, with pristine cards being given a numeric grading of 10 (Gem Mint), while cards with varying amounts of damage or imperfections can be graded as low as 1.
The following will lower the grade of a trading card:
- Scratches
- Water damage
- Bending in the structure
- Whitened borders
- Any stamps
- Planarity (if it lies flat on a table)
- Any tampering with the borders
- Clouding (colors are dulled)
- Discoloration from any source
- Any other visible damage
Numeric Grading | Also Known As | Card Condition |
10 | Gem Mint | Flawless under magnification |
9.5 | Mint+ | One barely noticeable flaw |
9 |
Mint | Near perfect with tiny edge or centering issues |
8 | Near Mint | Slight wear, minor scuffs |
7 |
Excellent | Noticeable edge/corner imperfections |
6 |
Very Good | Minor surface scratches, whitening |
5 | Very Good | Small creases or dullness |
4 |
Good | Multiple signs of play or damage |
3 | Fair | Significant wear or bending |
2 | Poor | Creases, ink marks, or tears |
1 |
Authentic/Poor | Confirmed authentic but heavily damaged |
Why Does Card Grading Matter for Collectors in the USA?
Simply put, card grading is important because it is an unbiased assessment of the card that results in determining if a card is authentic, what the condition it is in, and getting it put in a nifty slab for safe-keeping. Getting a card graded means that it is more likely to get sold quickly and for the right price, and you are a more reliable seller because you are not trying to trick your buyers into paying for something that isn’t the real deal—because no counterfeits will make it past the eager eyes of the grading specialist!
Collectors don’t want to waste time or money on counterfeit cards or a seller trying to pass off a managed card as one that is in good condition. Grading removes the guesswork.
Authentication: Protecting Against Fakes and Reprints
No one wants to spend hundreds or thousands of dollars, only to learn that they’ve wasted money on a fake. By getting your cards authenticated as a seller, you can rest easy knowing that buyers won’t have this worry rattling around in the back of their minds, making the job of selling easier and faster.
Although there are lots of different telltale signs to look out for when it comes to telling whether a card is authentic or not, it can also be impossible for an untrained eye to determine. You might be able to notice a slightly off-centered design that many vintage cards have, or the colors or even smell of it, but sometimes you need a professional to take a closer look. From the hexagonal pattern when you look close enough, to the cardstock, some cards should be left to the professionals to analyze—and that’s why card grading is so important for collectors.
Want to avoid accidentally buying fakes? Here are some tips:
- Buy from reputable sources (high ratings online, sellers who know their stuff)
- Know what to expect (and be cautious when faced with the unexpected)
- Compare the card to other cards in the set (take a close look at them both!)
- Get a second opinion from someone you trust (collector friends are important!)
- Know the cardstock (fakes tend to be thinner than the real deal)
- Use a loupe to check the printing (look for print dots that can’t be replicated)
- BONUS: If it’s older or vintage, consider the smell!
Preservation: Maintaining the Condition and Longevity of Your Cards
There is nothing worse than getting a shiny Pokémon that people are willing to pay big bucks for, only for someone to spill coffee on it. Get your card graded, and the nifty slab we put it in will protect your beloved card for years to come. This obviously extends the life of the cards and keeps them in good condition, which also makes them more appealing to buyers.
With a slab, the chances of anything terrible happening to their purchase are slim, and they can rest easy on their way home to add it to their collection. Whether you want to hang onto your cards or sell them to a collector, slabbing them is a key step that you shouldn’t miss out on.
Grading and Card Value: How Does It Impact Resale?
Grading can heavily impact card value—both negatively and positively. An authentic, pristine card that gets graded will be worth more money than ever before, but a card that is proven to be fake will be worthless, and a card that is more damaged than you anticipated will decrease in value. Once a card gets a grade, its chances of resale can go either way, which is why it’s so important to assess it before sending it in for grading—you need to have an idea of what to expect so that you don’t waste time and money in the first place!
If your card gets graded and authenticated (which is part of the grading process, but can be done on its own, too), selling it will be a breeze, provided it is in high demand.
Why Do Collectors Prefer Graded Cards?
Community trust is integral if you are selling cards, whether they are Pokémon, Magic: The Gathering, baseball, or NBA, or anything else. When a card is graded, there is no space to question the ‘value’ of it, as the card will get authenticated and be given a numerical grading based on its condition — meaning that buyers will know exactly what they are buying from the get-go.
No one wants to be in the position where they are stuck second-guessing if a seller is being genuine about their card. After all, many scammers go to extreme lengths to make the cards they sell look like the real deal, even adding fake signatures in the hope of making some cash.
The better reputation you have as a seller, the more buyers will be willing to come to you and pay the asking price (or more!). So, having graded cards as a means to ensure genuineness and quality.
How Get Graded Helps USA Collectors Protect Their Investment
So, why is card grading important for collectors? From authentication and preserving the condition of the card to increasing the resale value and building community trust, card grading is a key process for many collectors and sellers—but that doesn’t mean that every card you have needs to be graded.
Want to protect and enhance the value of your collection? Submit your cards to Get Graded today and give your collection the recognition it deserves. Or, find out about our shop or service pricing, population report, or CERT checker, and create an account or find your nearest store now.