Collecting

Grading Pokémon cards: what it is and how it works (PSA, BGS, CGC)

Updated on 15/10/2026

What a graded card looks like: a sealed hard case with a label, grade and certificate number. Sample illustration with one of our cards, no real brands.

What grading is

You send the card to a specialist company (the best known are PSA, BGS-Beckett and CGC), which assesses its condition, gives it a grade and seals it in a case, the slab, with a label and a certificate number you can check online.

The grade scale

The most widely used grading scale (PSA's): 10 means a virtually perfect card. BGS and CGC use similar scales, with half points.

What they look at

Aspect	What they check	Typical defect
Centring	Equal borders on all four sides	Artwork shifted to one side
Corners	Sharp, full corners	White specks, rounded corners
Edges	Smooth edges	Chipping, white marks on the back
Surface	No marks	Scratches, fingerprints, print lines

When it's worth it

Grading costs money and takes time, so it's mainly worth it for valuable cards in excellent condition: SARs, gold cards, ARs of the most popular Pokémon. For a card worth a few euros the cost usually outweighs the gain.

SARs from our catalogue

Pikachu ex

126/103

74,99 €3 pcs

Salamence ex

133/103

19,99 €2 pcs

Hisuian Zoroark VSTAR

234/172

36,49 €2 pcs

Deoxys VSTAR

223/172

32,99 €1 pcs

From Europe

You can send directly to the company or use shops and services that collect submissions. Costs, turnaround and insurance vary a lot: compare the terms before choosing. And prepare the card as explained in how to store your cards.

Frequently asked questions

What does PSA 10 mean?+

It's PSA's top grade (Gem Mint): a virtually perfect card in centring, corners, edges and surface.

How long does it take?+

From a few weeks to a few months, depending on the company and the service level chosen.

Is it worth grading Japanese cards?+

Yes, if they're valuable and in excellent condition: Japanese cards are prized for their print quality and centring.