Should I grade my card?

When the spread between a low and a high grade is bigger than the total cost of the submission. That means the graded value has to exceed the raw value plus grading, review, insurance and return shipping. On cheap cards the spread is rarely big enough; on cards with a large gap between grade 9 and grade 10 it often is.

On modern chase cards the difference between 9 and 10 is frequently two to four times the price, because a 10 is much rarer. That gap is the whole reason grading can make money. On older or common cards the two grades often sell for nearly the same, and then the submission mostly buys you protection and authentication, not upside.

The grading fee for the chosen service level, the card review if you want our assessment first, insurance of the declared value, and return shipping (€6.70 per submission, shared across the cards in it). The calculator includes all four so the number you see is the real cost per card.

Usually not for the money. A card worth less than the grading fee rarely earns the submission back, no matter the grade. It can still make sense for sentimental cards, or to protect and authenticate a card you intend to keep.

BGS is the only one with sub-grades and the Black Label 10, which buyers of high-end cards pay attention to. CGC is often the faster and cheaper route and is strong on Japanese cards. PSA has the largest resale market, so for most English cards aimed at resale it remains the default.