Where To Send Basketball Cards To Get Graded
If you are a basketball card collector, you understand the importance of having your cards graded. A graded card provides an objective evaluation of its condition, which aids in determining its value. Grading services evaluate cards on a 10-point scale, with 10 being the highest grade possible. However, you may be wondering where to send your basketball cards to get graded. This guide will provide you with the necessary information to make an informed decision.
PSA (Professional Sports Authenticator)
PSA (Professional Sports Authenticator) is one of the best-known grading services in the United States. They offer a comprehensive service that includes grading, authenticating, and encapsulating your basketball cards. PSA uses a proprietary grading system, PSA's 1-10 scale, which is widely respected in the basketball card collecting community. They offer a variety of turnaround times, from as little as 10 business days to as long as six months.
SGC (Sportscard Guaranty Corporation)
SGC (Sportscard Guaranty Corporation) is another popular grading service that specializes in sports cards. They have been grading cards since 1998 and offer a 1-10 grading scale that is similar to PSA's. SGC also offers a variety of grading options, including standard, express, and bulk services, to fit collectors' needs. They strive to return graded cards within 30 business days, making them a popular choice for collectors who want a fast turnaround time.
BGS (Beckett Grading Services)
BGS (Beckett Grading Services) is another popular grading service that has been around since 1999. BGS offers a comprehensive service that includes grading, authenticating, and encapsulating your basketball cards. They use a 10-point grading scale that factors in four criteria - centering, edges, corners, and surface - to provide an overall grade. BGS offers a variety of grading options, including standard, express, and premium services, with turnaround times ranging from 30 business days to six months.
HGA (Hybrid Grading Approach)
HGA (Hybrid Grading Approach) is a newer grading service that has been gaining popularity among collectors. They offer a unique approach to grading, using a combination of artificial intelligence and human grading to provide an objective evaluation of your basketball cards. HGA uses a 10-point grading scale and offers a variety of options, including single card grading, bulk grading, and pre-grades. HGA's turnaround time is currently around 25 business days.
CSC (Certified Sports Certification)
CSC (Certified Sports Certification) is yet another popular grading service that provides basketball card collectors with a comprehensive grading service. CSC uses a 10-point grading scale that is similar to PSA's and offers a variety of grading options, including standard, express, and bulk services. They strive to return graded cards within 30 business days, making them a popular choice for collectors who want a fast turnaround time.
Conclusion
There are many grading services available for basketball card collectors, and each one has its own unique approach and grading scale. PSA, SGC, BGS, HGA, and CSC are all great options for collectors looking to have their basketball cards graded. When selecting a grading service, it's important to consider the grading options, turnaround time, grading scale, and overall reputation of the company. With the information provided in this guide, you can make an informed decision and ensure that your basketball cards are evaluated objectively and accurately.