Grading magic cards
Economics forum
Posted on Aug. 29, 2015, 11:03 p.m. by EmblemMan
Does anyone know where to send in cards to be professionally graded and how much it would cost?
Grading magic cards
Does anyone know where to send in cards to be professionally graded and how much it would cost?
Epochalyptik says... #2
Beckett Grading Services (BGS) and Professional Sports Authenticator (PSA) are the two main grading agencies. However, you sometimes have to be a member of the grading agency's club in order to submit cards. Grading costs for single cards normally start around $10 per and increases up to $30. Discounts tend to be offered on larger lots.
However, you really need to be honest with yourself about whether grading is even worthwhile. Only the finest condition, extremely rare cards are worth considering for grading, and grading in itself is not automatically worthwhile.
When you get a card graded, you're basically relegating it to being a collectible item for the rest of its lifespan. Nobody actually plays with graded cards; they're too much of an investment over ungraded cards. And the market for graded cards is limited to collectors rather than players, which means you're now dealing with a very small niche.
So if you have a gem mint Black Lotus or something, then maybe you could spring for it. But if you're looking to grade your Emrakul, the Aeons Torn or even your Scrubland, don't waste your time and money.
August 29, 2015 11:25 p.m.