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PSA accepts the broadest mix of popular card categories and remains the liquidity benchmark. Value is paused; Regular is the lowest active direct tier.
PSA paused Value on June 2, 2026. It remains useful for budgeting a future lower-value submission, but it is not currently orderable.
Regular is PSA's lowest active direct tier. It is the current starting point for cards that need PSA liquidity while Value remains paused.
Express shortens the wait for stronger-value cards and includes Grader Notes on eligible outcomes.
Super Express is designed for valuable cards where market timing justifies a substantial grading fee.
Walk-Through handles five-figure cards on PSA's fastest standard published timeline.
Premium 1 covers cards whose expected post-grade value exceeds the Walk-Through ceiling.
Verify live availability, estimated turnaround, and insured-value limits before submitting any card category.
Coverage, report detail, top-grade structure, and secondary-market acceptance vary materially by company.
PSA accepts major sports, Pokémon, Magic, Yu-Gi-Oh, and non-sports releases. Its large population database and buyer familiarity make PSA the default when resale liquidity matters most.
CGC has deep Pokémon, Magic, and TCG recognition, current direct pricing from $18 without a Bulk minimum, and a Pristine 10 above Gem Mint 10.
TAG adds computer vision, a 100-1000 score, and DIG reports, but mainly accepts standard 1989-present cards up to 50pt. Yu-Gi-Oh, relic, metal, acetate, and many unusual formats are excluded.
Beckett grades sports and TCG cards with centering, corners, edges, and surface subgrades on most current tiers. A Black Label requires four perfect 10 subgrades.
Use PSA for broad acceptance and resale liquidity, CGC for TCG-focused pricing and a distinct Pristine 10, TAG for eligible modern cards where report transparency matters, and Beckett when subgrade detail is central to the collecting goal.
The cheapest tier can become expensive after shipping, minimums, value adjustments, or an eligibility mistake.
Insured transport and protective supplies raise the effective per-card cost, especially for one- or two-card orders.
PSA benefits can require membership, CGC Bulk requires 25 cards, and TAG Basic carries a 10-card minimum when available.
PSA and CGC can move a card into a higher tier when its value exceeds the selected service ceiling.
Thick, oversized, acetate, metal, die-cut, custom, or unsupported-language cards can be rejected after preparation or intake.
A rapidly growing population can reduce the resale premium even when the card receives the grade you wanted.
Before paying a grading company's submission fee, know your likely grade in 60 seconds with AI pre-screening. Use the estimate to prioritize—not replace—professional grading.
A mixed batch can include cards with weak condition or formats better suited to another company.
Condition and eligibility checks help focus each submission on cards with a clearer purpose.
Trading card grading is a professional evaluation of authenticity and condition followed by encapsulation in a tamper-evident holder. The numerical grade reflects factors such as centering, corners, edges, surface, print quality, and signs of alteration.
PSA is generally best for broad resale liquidity, CGC is strong for Pokémon and other TCGs, Beckett provides detailed subgrades, and TAG offers granular computer-assisted reports for a narrower set of eligible modern cards.
Current entry pricing varies widely. CGC Economy is $18, SGC Standard is $15, Beckett Base is $14.95 without subgrades, and TAG Basic is listed at $22 but sold out. PSA Value is paused, making $79.99 Regular its lowest active direct tier.
No. PSA and CGC have broad TCG coverage. Beckett grades many gaming cards. TAG has tighter year, size, thickness, language, set, and material restrictions and does not accept Yu-Gi-Oh cards.
Cards are strongest grading candidates when likely graded value exceeds raw value plus the grading fee, shipping, insurance, selling fees, and the risk of receiving a lower grade than expected.
Yes. AI pre-screening can flag visible centering, corner, edge, and surface problems before you pay. It remains an additive decision tool; the grading company still authenticates, physically inspects, and encapsulates the card.