Unlocking Value: Why Grading is Essential for Sports Card Collectors!

2024-11-05T14:09:16+00:00 2024-11-05T15:01:40+00:00.

Giannis Askounis

05/Nov/24 14:09

Eurohoops.net

Do you own a rare card? Is it numbered? Does it feature the autograph of the player depicted? On top of it… does it have a grade from a reputable grading company?

By Eurohoops Team/ info@eurohoops.net

Congratulations, we’ve got a winner!

Don’t miss out on our special giveaway on IG where 3 lucky participants will win either one 2023-24 Panini Donruss Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Basketball Hobby Box, or one 2023-24 Panini Prizm Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Basketball Blaster Box, or one 2023-24 Panini Instant Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Basketball Timeless Moments Complete Set, in the debut of EuroLeague tradings cards from Panini America! 

We are Trace ‘n Chase, an innovative company that was born during quarantine, driven by our passion and desire to give countless sports fans in Greece and Europe the opportunity to discover the “hobby” of card collecting with its many variations! To acquire unique collectible items that will decorate their office, home, or company and to talk to their friends about sports cards, all while enjoying their favorite game! 

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Sooner than later, you’ll see a card encased in a plastic frame with numbers that indicate something different from a standard card. So, what exactly is this? 

Understanding both the “how” and “why” of grading a collectible card can be an invaluable tool for both new and veteran collectors. Grading is a critical process in determining the value and condition of these items. It provides a standardized system for evaluating a card’s condition and assigns an objective grade based on a set of defined criteria. 

What is Card Grading

Grading is the practice of submitting a collectible card to a third-party service to verify its authenticity and then grade its quality on a 10-point scale. Once completed, the card is assigned an overall grade, sealed in a tamper-proof case, and registered with a unique serial number.

The advantages of card grading include the indisputable confirmation of authenticity, an objective assessment of quality, and an accountability system through an online database. Together, these factors often increase the card’s value compared to an ungraded card in a similar condition. 

Grading Companies

Beckett Grading Services (BGS), Professional Sports Authenticators (PSA) and Sportscard Guaranty (SGC)  are the top companies used to grade a card. While several other grading companies have emerged in the market, collectors are generally advised to trust the top companies for card grading, as their resale value is significantly higher, something you can verify with a quick search on eBay. 

The Cost of Grading

Final charges vary among card grading companies, but all charges are based on the following criteria: 

– The number of cards submitted. 

– The desired completion time for grading and returning your cards. 

– The value of the card. 

– Whether a card with an autograph requires authentication and grading. 

– If the card has rare features in size or dimensions. 

Additionally, two-way shipping is required. For return shipping, each company has its established fee structure, which typically includes insurance. 

Trace ‘n Chase is always here for collectors, and we are pleased to announce our official partnership with Beckett Collectibles, enabling us to become a card submission one-stop shop for grading by the highly sought-after Beckett Grading Services! 

The process is pretty straightforward! We handle the shipping, and your cards are 100% insured. Needless to say, we fully manage EU import and export customs. All you need to do is visit https://tracenchase.com/grading/beckett-grading/ and submit your cards for grading. 

The Grading Scale

Beckett grades cards on a 1–10 scale with half-point subgrades (0.5) and provides a separate grade for each of the four grading factors, with the average giving the final grade.  

PSA and SGC grade on a 1–10 scale without further detail. 

Cards are graded by Beckett based on four factors: Centering, Corners, Edges, and Surface.

Centering: Centering refers to the width of the border and ideally it should be balanced equally from left, right, top, and bottom, 50/50 all around on front and 55/45 or better on back. The “goal” is for the card to appear “balanced.” 

Corners: This is arguably the most important and meticulous grading feature. A card with four sharp corners can offset other concerns, especially on older cards. Examine all four corners by first looking at the front of the card, then at the back. If a corner shows imperfections on both sides, your eyes are likely not deceiving you.  

Edges: The four edges of a card are also important. Cards with dark or black borders usually pose challenges as the edges should be sharp, and the color should be consistent. Corners and edges have to be perfect to the naked eye and virtually flawless under intense scrutiny. 

Surface: Surface is the condition of the card’s largest area, with white spots and scratches being common issues. Often, it’s hard to notice a defect on the surface, so it’s wise to examine the card under strong light, which can reveal any flaws. A perfect surface translates to no print spots, flawless color, devoid of registration or focus imperfections, of scratches and metallic print lines. 

Autographs: The grade of an autograph on a card does not impact the card’s overall grade. If the ink has not smeared and the autograph has not faded, the grade will be 10. Companies only grade autographs that come from packaged boxes, and rarely those signed in person or by hand, as those require an authenticity certification first. 

Cards with grades of 9 or above have higher market value, as a Beckett 9 (known as “Mint 9”) is the condition expected from a card in its packaging. A grade of 9.5 is the Gem-Mint and is nearly flawless, desired by most collectors. Beckett introduced the ‘Black Label’ in 2014; an exclusive label for customers whose card(s) scored 10 on all four subgrades. It’s a label given to a slab where the card has scored an absolute pristine 10; a card that is perfect in every way. 

In conclusion, grading is a critical and important process in the world of collectible cards. It provides a standardized system for assessing the condition of cards, ensuring authenticity and legitimacy, adding value, and protecting both buyers and sellers. 

Whether you are a collector or a dealer, grading is an essential tool that provides valuable information and helps protect and preserve your collectibles. 

 

That’s it for now and don’t forget our special giveaway on IG where 3 lucky participants will win either one 2023-24 Panini Donruss Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Basketball Hobby Box, or one 2023-24 Panini Prizm Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Basketball Blaster Box or one 2023-24 Panini Instant Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Basketball Timeless Moments Complete Set, in the debut of EuroLeague tradings cards from Panini America! 

Follow Trace ‘n Chase on Facebook, Instagram, X, TikTok, Linkedin, as well as our YouTube channel and learn all about #thehobby! 

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