The right grading company depends on what you want from the card: a display piece, a documented condition assessment, a particular label, or a future sale. Start with the exact card and your goal, then compare the service details. Choosing a grader does not guarantee a grade, resale price, or return date.
One distinction matters immediately: the same number does not mean the same designation across grading companies. A BGS 9.5 is Gem Mint. PSA uses Gem Mint 10. SGC and CGC each distinguish more than one designation at 10. Read the full label before comparing cards.
The grading labels, side by side
| Grader | Labels to recognize | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| PSA | Gem Mint 10, also shown as GEM-MT 10 | Read PSA’s own condition criteria instead of treating another company’s number as a direct conversion. PSA grading standards |
| BGS — Beckett Grading Services | Gem Mint 9.5; Pristine 10 | BGS 9.5 is not a Pristine grade. Check whether the selected service includes subgrades. Beckett grading scale and service options |
| SGC | 10 GM — Gem Mint; 10 PRI — Pristine | The designation matters as well as the number. Do not describe every SGC 10 as Pristine. SGC grading scale |
| CGC Cards | Mint+ 9.5; Gem Mint 10; Pristine 10 | These are separate grades on the current standard card scale. Older labels require additional care. CGC standard card grading scale |
PSA: begin with the published standard
PSA’s top numeric card grade is Gem Mint 10. Its criteria consider features including corners, focus, gloss, staining and centering, and allow a limited printing imperfection when it does not detract from the card’s overall appeal. A card looking clean in a photo is not enough to establish its eventual grade. PSA grading standards
If you want a PSA-graded copy, compare the cost of buying that exact card already graded with submitting a raw copy. The first option gives you a known label to inspect; the second leaves the grading outcome unresolved.
BGS: decide whether subgrades matter to you
Beckett evaluates centering, corners, edges and surface. Its current service page lists options with and without subgrades, so confirm the option available for your submission. Subgrades can be useful when you want the category scores alongside the overall grade. Beckett grading services
Beckett describes a Black Label Pristine 10 as a card with 10s in all four subgrade categories. That is distinct from Gem Mint 9.5. It is a designation to understand, not a result to assume before grading. Beckett’s explanation of its grading process
SGC: read the letters after the number
SGC’s published scale lists both 10 PRI and 10 GM. When examining a listing or comparing completed sales, record the full designation rather than grouping every SGC 10 together. SGC grading scale
For a personal collection, compare how the card and label look to you in the holder. For a submission, check the current service available for that card’s declared value and size. Avoid choosing from an old claim that SGC is always the cheapest or fastest option.
CGC: distinguish current and legacy labels
On CGC’s current standard card scale, Mint+ 9.5, Gem Mint 10 and Pristine 10 are different grades. CGC also publishes a legacy grade key: older CGC Trading Cards Gem Mint 9.5 and CSG Gem Mint 9.5 correspond to CGC Cards Gem Mint 10. This does not mean a current Mint+ 9.5 is a Gem Mint 10. Read the designation and check the certification record. CGC grading scale and legacy key
CGC’s current FAQ says subgrades are no longer offered. An older holder displaying subgrades does not establish that they are available for a new submission. CGC grades FAQ
Compare the full submission cost
Use the official service pages when you are ready to submit. A headline per-card fee may not describe your total or the service for which your card qualifies.
| Company | Current official submission information |
|---|---|
| PSA | Trading card grading services and prices |
| Beckett | Grading service levels, subgrade options and prices |
| SGC | Standard services and pricing and return shipping fees |
| CGC Cards | US card grading services and fees |
Before choosing a service, write down the grading charge, shipping in both directions, insurance, any membership requirement, submission minimum, value limit and applicable extras. Confirm the complete quote for your specific cards, especially when submitting through a shop rather than directly.
Check when the turnaround estimate starts and whether shipping is included. For example, SGC says its clock starts after an order is unboxed and logged; CGC describes estimated working days and expressly says turnaround is not guaranteed. Keep extra room in your plans if you need a card for a show, gift or sale. SGC service details, CGC service details
Choose around your card and your goal
For display or sentimental value: decide what you want to preserve and which presentation you enjoy. Set a spending limit that still feels reasonable if the card returns below your hoped-for grade.
For a possible sale: look for recent completed sales of the same set, card number, language, parallel or finish, grader and full grade designation. Asking prices are not completed sales. Compare several examples and account for selling costs. If there are few comparable sales, leave the resale outcome uncertain instead of assigning a blanket premium to a grading brand.
For a Pokémon, sports or other TCG collection: confirm that the grader accepts your exact card type, size, language and any special feature. There is no need to declare one company the winner for an entire game or sport to make a useful decision about one card.
For cards you play with: include keeping the card raw among your options. Grading for display and maintaining a playable deck serve different goals.
For a card already in a holder: compare keeping it as it is with the proposed crossover or reholder service. Read the destination grader’s current rules before committing. For example, CGC’s crossover terms distinguish minimum-grade evaluation from a request to cross at any grade, and a grading fee can apply even when the card remains in its original holder. CGC crossover terms
What about slab quality?
Compare the actual holder, label readability, storage fit and visible condition. Inspect the card and holder together, and use the grader’s certification tools to check the label details. A holder preference is a reasonable collecting choice; it is not proof that a card will grade higher or sell for more.
Ask ORB about a PSA submission
ORB Trading Cards handles PSA submissions in the shop. Bring the cards you are considering and discuss the available service, current fee and estimated timing before deciding. ORB’s grading service is an in-store process; a grade is never guaranteed. See ORB’s grading service
Contact ORB about your cards or browse the shop while you compare your options.
Common grading questions
Is BGS 9.5 Pristine?
No. Beckett calls 9.5 Gem Mint and 10 Pristine. Official Beckett scale
Are all SGC or CGC 10s the same designation?
No. SGC lists 10 GM and 10 PRI. CGC lists Gem Mint 10 and Pristine 10. Keep the full designation when comparing labels. SGC scale, CGC scale
Will grading increase my card’s value?
There is no promised increase. Compare the exact card’s completed sales and all submission costs, and consider what a lower-than-hoped-for result would mean for your decision.
Can ORB submit my card to any of these four companies?
The grading service currently described on ORB’s website is in-store PSA submission. Contact the shop before making arrangements for another grader; this comparison does not advertise submission services for BGS, SGC or CGC.