What Does "Graded" Mean? PSA, BGS and CGC Explained
A beginner's guide to graded trading cards, what PSA, BGS and CGC grading means, how the 1 to 10 scale works, and why graded slabs cost more.
Published 23 August 2026
A graded card is a card that an independent company has inspected, assigned a numerical condition score, and sealed inside a tamper-evident plastic case. That score, usually on a 1 to 10 scale, tells you the exact condition of the card without you having to judge it yourself.
What card grading actually is
When you buy a raw (ungraded) card, you rely on the seller's description and your own eyes to judge its condition. Grading removes the guesswork. You send a card to a grading company, their experts examine it under strong light and magnification, and they return it with an official grade and a unique certificate number.
The grade reflects four main things: the sharpness of the corners, the cleanliness of the edges, the state of the surface, and how well the picture is centred within the border. A card that scores well on all four earns a high grade. Any flaw, a soft corner, a print line, a fingerprint, pulls the grade down.
The main grading companies
Three names dominate the hobby, and you will see all three in the vault:
- PSA (Professional Sports Authenticator) is the most widely recognised grader worldwide, especially for Pokémon and sports cards. PSA gives a single overall grade from 1 to 10.
- BGS (Beckett Grading Services) is known for its strict standards and its subgrades. A BGS slab often shows four smaller scores for centring, corners, edges and surface, alongside the overall grade. A BGS Black Label 10 (a perfect 10 on all four subgrades) is one of the most sought-after grades in the hobby.
- CGC (Certified Guaranty Company) came from the world of comic grading and has grown quickly in trading cards. It is respected for consistent, transparent grading and clear slab labels.
No single company is "correct". Each has its own reputation, and collectors often have a preference. What matters is that a trusted third party, not the seller, has made the call.
The 1 to 10 scale and what Gem Mint 10 means
Most graders use a 1 to 10 scale, where 10 is effectively flawless and 1 is heavily damaged. The top of the scale is where the value sits:
- 10, Gem Mint: as close to perfect as a card gets. Sharp corners, clean edges, a clean surface and near-perfect centring.
- 9, Mint: excellent, with only the tiniest flaw visible under close inspection.
- 8, Near Mint to Mint: very clean, with a minor issue or two.
- 7 and below: increasingly visible wear, softer corners, surface marks or off-centre borders.
A jump of a single grade can mean a large jump in price, because far fewer cards survive in top condition. A Gem Mint 10 of a popular card can be worth several times the same card at a 9.
What a "slab" is
A "slab" is the sealed plastic case the graded card lives in. It is the hobby's nickname for the holder. The slab protects the card, displays the grade and certificate number on its label, and, crucially, cannot be opened without visibly breaking it. That seal is what gives buyers confidence: the card you see is locked at the condition it was graded, and nobody has swapped or handled it since.
Why graded cards cost more
Graded cards sell for more than raw ones for good reasons:
- Certainty. You know exactly what you are buying. No debating whether a corner is "near mint" or not.
- Protection. The card is already safely encased and ready to display or store.
- Trust. An independent expert has verified both the condition and that the card is genuine, not a fake or a reprint.
- Cost of grading. Someone paid a grading fee and waited weeks for the result, and that cost is reflected in the price.
That premium is really the price of removing risk. For a high-value card, many buyers happily pay it.
When it is worth grading versus buying raw
Grading makes sense when a card is genuinely near perfect and valuable enough that a top grade adds real money. Grading a common card in average condition rarely returns more than the fee. If you want to enjoy or play with a card rather than lock it away, a raw one from our singles is usually the smarter buy. Understanding the raw card condition scale helps you judge that for yourself.
Every graded slab in the vault is listed individually with its certificate number. That means the exact slab in the photos, with that exact grade and cert, is the one that ships to you. Nothing is a stock image or a "similar" card. You can read more about how we grade and describe condition honestly across the shop.
Common questions
Is a graded card always better than a raw one?
Not always. A graded card gives you certainty and protection, but you pay for it. If you plan to play with the card or you are confident judging condition yourself, a well-described raw card can be better value.
Which grading company is best, PSA, BGS or CGC?
There is no single best. PSA has the widest recognition, BGS is prized for subgrades and its Black Label, and CGC is known for consistency. All three are trusted third parties, so buy the slab and the grade, not just the brand.
Can a slab be opened or the grade changed?
No, not without visibly breaking the case. That tamper-evident seal is the point. If a slab looks cracked or resealed, treat it with caution.
Ready to see the difference for yourself? Browse our graded slabs, each listed with its own cert number, or browse the vault for raw singles too. Everything ships tracked from Abu Dhabi, so the exact card you choose arrives safely at your door.
Ready to start your collection?
Every card is checked by hand and its condition stated plainly, with graded slabs listed individually and shipped tracked from Abu Dhabi.