CGC Grading Services
CGC Grading Services
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About CGC Cards
CGC Trading Cards has assembled a team of expert trading card graders who, as collectors and players themselves, care deeply about providing comprehensive certification services that benefit the hobby. To ensure impartiality, CGC Trading Cards graders are prohibited from buying and selling collectibles commercially.
After a trading card has been authenticated and graded by CGC Trading Cards, it is encapsulated in the CGC Trading Cards holder, which provides the best in protection and displays while being portable and easy to store
Grading Services Cost Breakdown
New CGC Cards services and fees, effective July 11, 2023
| GRADING TIERS | GRADING FEES (Per Card) |
GRADING FEES (Per Card) |
Shipping FEES | EST. TURNAROUND TIMES (Business Days) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Do it Yourself | Our Price |
|||
|
Bulk (25-card minimum) Max. Value: $250 |
$12 | $12 | Varies |
45 Days |
|
Economy Max. Value: $1,000 |
$15 | $20 | $30 | 30 Days |
|
Express Max. Value: $10,000 |
$50 | $45 | $30 | 7 Days |
|
WalkThrough Unlimited Value |
$150 | $145 | $50 | 5 Days |
Accurate Grading
CGC Trading Cards graders use a highly accurate, industry-standard 10-point grading scale and evaluate cards using advanced authentication and grading equipment, including devices that perform ultra-microscopic inspections and precisely calculate centering.
Grading Scale
Numeric Grades
| Grade | Description |
| Pristine 10 | A Pristine 10 is a virtually flawless card to the naked eye. The centering is 50/50, and the card has flawless color and registration. All cards that merit a CGC Pristine 10 grade will receive a special CGC Cards Pristine 10 label. |
| Gem Mint 10 | A Gem Mint 10 is a card that has received a 10 grade overall; however, one of the grading criteria does not meet the requirements of a Pristine 10. Corners will appear perfect to the naked eye and Mint+ under 10x magnification. The surface is free of print spots and should also display perfect gloss, devoid of any surface flaws. Centering is not to exceed approximately 55/45, and reverse centering is not to exceed 75/25. |
| Mint+ 9.5 | A Mint+ 9.5 is a card that displays premium eye appeal for a Mint card. Qualities such as exceptional centering, surface qualities/color or other key elements can elevate a card to a Mint+ grade. |
| Min 9 | A Mint card has four sharp corners with only minor wear visible. Slight minor flaws on the edges may be visible. The surface must have all original gloss; however, a small number of specks or one minor spot or surface defect is allowed. For TCG cards, cards will have only a few minor manufacturing or handling defects. For sports and non-sports cards, centering must be 60/40 or better for the front of the card, and 90/10 for the back. |
| NM/Mint +8.5 | A card graded 8.5 has relatively smooth edges with only minor touches of wear. It must have original color borders and gloss. One of the following very minor flaws is allowed: corners are sharp to the naked eye but reveal slight imperfections under magnification; a small amount of minor print spots; subtle focus imperfections of the image. A very slight diamond cut is allowed. TCG cards could show small handing defects. |
| NM/Mint 8 | A card graded 8 must have relatively smooth edges with only minor touches of wear. It must have original color borders and gloss. One of the following very minor flaws is allowed: corners are sharp to the naked eye but reveal slight imperfections under magnification; a small amount of minor print spots; subtle focus imperfections of the image. A very slight diamond cut is allowed. TCG cards could have small-to-moderate handling defects. For sports and non-sports cards, centering must be 65/35 or better. |
| Near Mint+ 7.5 |
A card graded 7.5 may also have a touch of wear on two or three corners or slightly rough edges. The image may be slightly out of register. A slight diamond cut is allowed, and very slight wax staining is allowed on the reverse. TCG cards could have a moderate defect or a number of small handling defects. For sports and non-sports cards, 65/35 centering is allowed. |
| Near Mint 7 | A card graded 7 may also have a touch of wear on three or more corners and/or slightly rough edges. The image may be slightly out of register. A slight diamond cut is allowed, and very slight wax staining is allowed on the reverse. For sports and non-sports cards, centering should be 70/30 or better. |
| Ex/NM+ 6.5 |
For a grade of 6.5, no more than one slightly “dinged” corner is allowed, or no more than two of the following flaws: two or three fuzzy corners; slightly rough edges; noticeable print spots. A moderate diamond cut is allowed, and light wax staining on the front is acceptable. |
| Ex/NM 6 | For a grade of 6, no more than one “dinged” corner is allowed or no more than two of the following flaws: two or three fuzzy corners; slightly rough edges; noticeable print spots. A moderate diamond cut is allowed, and wax staining on the front is acceptable. For sports and non-sports cards, centering may be no worse than 75/25. |
| Excellent+ 5.5 | At 5.5, the corners may exhibit light “fuzzyness” and very minor rounding. The corners may come to a point but may have one or two “dinged” corners. There may also be chipping on the edges, minor border discoloration, noticeable print spots and/or color or focus imperfections on the surface. |
| Excellent 5 | At 5, the corners may exhibit “fuzzyness” and very minor rounding. The corners may come to a point but may have two to three “dinged” corners. There may also be chipping on the edges, minor border discoloration, noticeable print spots and/or color or focus imperfections on the surface. On cards with scratch-off surfaces, the coating may be removed, but the surface is not damaged. |
| VG/Ex+ 4.5 |
At 4.5, the corners may display slight rounding. Noticeable surface flaws may include scuffing, scratches or one light crease. While some original surface gloss may be visible, the borders may be off-white, and a small amount of minor staining is allowed. For sports and non-sports cards, the centering is 85/15, and an extremely noticeable diamond cut is allowed. |
| VG/Ex 4 |
At 4, corners may display slight rounding. Noticeable surface flaws may include scuffing, scratches and one or more light creases. While some original surface gloss may be visible, borders may be off-white, and some minor staining is allowed. An extremely noticeable diamond cut is allowed. |
| Very Good 3 | A Very Good+ card may have 90/10 centering and four rounded corners, but not extreme rounding. The surface may exhibit one moderate crease or more than one light crease, and may also display scuffing or scratches and loss of original gloss. The edges may have moderate wear, and moderate staining of the stock can be visible. |
| Good+ 2.5 |
A card graded Good+ may have heavier creasing, but the creasing does not travel across the surface from edge to edge. The card may also have some surface damage such as one small writing mark on the back. An extremely heavy diamond cut resulting in a near miscut is allowed. |
| Good 2 |
A card graded Good can have heavier creasing that may travel across the surface of the card from edge to edge. The card may also have some surface damage such as a small amount of writing on the front or back. An extremely heavy diamond cut resulting in a near miscut is allowed. |
| Fair 1.5 |
A Fair card can have one catastrophic flaw such as a staple hole, small area of missing surface, severe creasing and/or writing on the surface. The card may be miscut. |
|
Poor 1 |
A Poor card may suffer from major surface damage such as severe creasing that breaks the surface, and/or it may be missing a small portion of the cardstock itself such as a portion of the corner that has been torn away from the card. The card will have multiple catastrophic flaws. |
Legacy Grade Key
The CGC Cards Grading Scale has been updated to reflect current industry standards. Below is a key for legacy grades that are no longer used by CGC Cards. The CGC Cards Population Report and the CGC Cards Registry reflect the updated grading scale.
|
Legacy Grade |
Updated Grade |
| CGC Trading Cards Gem Mint 9.5 | CGC Cards Gem Mint 10 |
|
CSG Gem Mint 9
|
CGC Cards Gem Mint 10 |
| CGC Trading Cards Perfect 10 | Retired grade; retains Perfect 10 status |
| CSG Perfect 10 | Retired grade; retains Perfect 10 status |
Superior Holder
The CGC Trading Cards holder is made from the same time-tested, durable and optically superior materials as the CGC comic book holder. With crystal-clear optics, the artwork, color, and detail of a card are never obscured.
Portable, Stackable and Easy-to-Store
No matter the size of the card inside, all CGC Cards holders lock and stack together seamlessly, a revolutionary design in the card certification industry that makes it easy to store and display your collection.
State-of-the-Art Construction for Superior Display and Security
CGC Cards has invested significant time and resources to develop the hobby’s best holder for TCGs, sports cards and non-sports cards. The result is a display-worthy holder that provides superior long-term protection. Crystal-clear optics showcase a card’s color and detail, while the sturdy, ultrasonically-welded case resists impacts and tampering.
A Sleek, Easy-to-Read and Secure Certification Label
A sleek, clean label design puts the focus on the card and allows for detailed card descriptions and excellent readability. For cards earning the CGC Pristine 10 grade, CGC Cards provides a special Pristine 10 label, which identifies the card’s flawless condition. To prevent against counterfeiting, the CGC Cards label features microprinting, UV ink, holographic foil and a unique certification number and barcode.
Unique Identification Features
On the back of the label, a QR code enables you to quickly look up a card and its images on the CGC Cards website. Autograph grades (available for sports cards with manufacturer’s certified autographs) are featured here, too. A pedigree can also be added to describe a card’s past or present ownership. After encapsulation in the CGC Cards holder, every card is imaged in high-resolution.
Comprehensive Guarantee
All CGC-certified trading cards are backed by the comprehensive CGC Guarantee, which provides collectors with greater security and confidence.
Cards (INCLUDING Sports Cards encapsulated by Certified Sports Guaranty (“CSG”))
- The Collectible has been inspected by at least two (2) professionals
- The Collectible is authentic
- The Collectible has not been overgraded (meaning it is not graded higher than CGC Cards’ Grading Standards) (Exception: Grade is not guaranteed for cards encapsulated with CGC Cards’ green Qualified Grade Label.)
