If you collect trading cards, three names come up again and again: PSA, BGS, and CGC. All three are professional grading companies. They take a raw card, authenticate it, assign a numeric grade, and seal it in a tamper-evident plastic case called a slab. But they are not the same, and the one you choose affects both how your card looks and what it is worth when you sell.
What card grading actually does
Grading answers two questions a buyer cannot answer from a photo: is this card genuine, and what condition is it really in? A graded card carries a certificate number you can look up in the grader's public database. That is why graded cards sell for more and sell faster than raw cards, especially online.
PSA (Professional Sports Authenticator)
PSA is the largest and most recognised grading company in the world. It uses a single overall grade from 1 to 10, with PSA 10 (“Gem Mint”) being the top.
- Grade scale: 1 to 10, whole numbers (plus a half grade at PSA 1.5).
- Best known for: Pokemon and sports cards. The default choice for resale.
- Resale value: Highest liquidity. A PSA 10 is the benchmark most buyers search for.
- Slab look: Red label, clean and simple.
If you only care about one thing — getting the best price when you sell — PSA is usually the safest pick.
BGS (Beckett Grading Services)
BGS is known for its detailed grading. Instead of one number, BGS shows four sub-grades — centering, corners, edges, and surface — and combines them into an overall grade.
- Grade scale: 1 to 10 with half-point steps. The famous BGS 10 “Black Label” means a perfect 10 on all four sub-grades.
- Best known for: Modern cards, basketball, and high-end collectibles.
- Resale value: A BGS 9.5 “Gem Mint” is highly respected. Black Labels command huge premiums.
- Slab look: Heavier case, sub-grades printed on the label.
CGC (Certified Guaranty Company)
CGC started in comics and expanded into trading cards. It has grown fast in the Pokemon and TCG space, often with faster turnaround and lower prices than PSA.
- Grade scale: 1 to 10 with half grades, plus a “Pristine 10” above the standard Gem Mint 10.
- Best known for: Pokemon, One Piece, and other TCG cards.
- Resale value: Improving steadily. Slightly below PSA for the same grade on most cards, but the gap is closing.
- Slab look: Clear, modern case many collectors find the most attractive.
Quick comparison
| Factor | PSA | BGS | CGC |
|---|---|---|---|
| Top grade | PSA 10 | BGS 10 Black Label | CGC Pristine 10 |
| Sub-grades | No | Yes (4) | Optional |
| Best for resale | Best | Strong | Good, improving |
| Strongest category | Sports, Pokemon | Modern, basketball | Pokemon, TCG |
Which should you choose?
- You want maximum resale value: PSA.
- You have a near-perfect modern card and want to prove it: BGS, for the sub-grades and Black Label upside.
- You want good value, faster service, and collect Pokemon or TCG: CGC.
On GradedBazaar, all three are welcome. Every listing shows the grader, the grade, and a cert number you can verify before you buy — so whichever company graded the card, you are protected by escrow until it arrives as described.