🏒 How cards are graded by PSA, KSA, BGS, and other companies

Martin
Oct 13
2 min read

In the world of sports card collecting, grading plays a crucial role. It helps determine a card’s condition, protects it, and — most importantly — establishes its market value. The leading grading companies — PSA (Professional Sports Authenticator), BGS (Beckett Grading Services), and KSA (KSA Certification) — use similar methods, but each has its own unique approach.

1️⃣ Step One: Verification and Authentication

Before evaluating the physical condition, each card must be authenticated. At PSA, every card is compared to a vast database of reference images to ensure it hasn’t been counterfeited or altered.BGS and KSA follow the same principle: any suspicious card is rejected immediately.

This step protects collectors from fraud, which has become increasingly common as modern and vintage cards gain popularity.

2️⃣ Evaluating the Condition

Once authenticity is confirmed, the card is inspected by several graders.Four main factors are analyzed:

Corners – wear, dents, or rounded edges lower the score.
Edges – cleanliness and quality of the card’s cut are inspected.
Surface – scratches, stains, or print defects are noted.
Centering – the image alignment is measured with precision, down to the millimeter.

At BGS, each category receives a subgrade out of 10. For example, a card might receive:👉 Corners 9.5 – Edges 9 – Surface 9.5 – Centering 10These subgrades are then averaged to produce the final overall grade.

3️⃣ Grading Scales

PSA uses a 1 to 10 scale, where PSA 10 Gem Mint represents a flawless card.
BGS also uses a 1 to 10 scale, but includes half points (e.g., 9.5 Gem Mint) and detailed subgrades.
KSA, a Canadian company, uses a similar 10-point system, though its standards are sometimes seen as slightly more lenient compared to PSA or BGS.

4️⃣ Encapsulation

Once graded, the card is sealed in a hard plastic case (slab).This tamper-proof holder protects the card and includes:

The final grade
A serial number
Sometimes a QR code for online verification

5️⃣ Reputation and Market Value Differences

On the market, PSA remains the global standard, especially for hockey, baseball, and Pokémon cards.PSA 10 cards often command higher prices than equivalent BGS or KSA grades.

BGS is highly respected for its transparent subgrading system, offering collectors detailed insights into each aspect of a card’s condition.KSA, popular in Canada, provides a more affordable and local service — ideal for collectors who prefer not to ship their cards to the U.S.

✅ Conclusion

No matter which company you choose, grading adds credibility, protection, and value to any collection.A graded card is more than just a piece of cardboard — it’s a certified, protected, and valued collectible, ready to stand the test of time and shine in the showcase of a passionate collector.