Collector's Reference Guide
Pokémon Card Grading,
Fully Explained
Everything you need to know about PSA, CGC, and BGS grading — what the numbers mean, why slabs matter, and how to buy with confidence.
What Is Pokémon Card Grading?
Card grading is the process of sending a Pokémon card to a professional grading company, which evaluates it across multiple physical criteria — centering, surfaces, corners, and edges — and assigns a numerical grade from 1 to 10.
Once graded, the card is permanently sealed inside a hard plastic case called a slab. The slab protects the card, displays the grade on a certified label, and prevents any future alteration.
Grading transforms a raw card into a verified, standardized collectible.
Authentication
Graders verify the card is genuine — not counterfeit, altered, or trimmed.
Standardized condition
One universal scale replaces vague terms like "near mint" with a certified number.
Increased value
High-grade slabs command a significant premium over raw cards.
Permanent protection
The tamper-evident slab keeps the card in its certified condition indefinitely.
PSA — Professional Sports Authenticator
Founded 1991 · Most recognized grading company in the world
PSA is the most widely recognized card grading company globally and the most liquid — PSA-graded cards are the easiest to buy and sell. A PSA 10 Gem Mint is the gold standard. PSA grades on a clean 1–10 whole-number scale with no half grades.
| Grade | Label | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| PSA 10 | Gem Mint | Virtually perfect card. Near-perfect centering (60/40 or better), four sharp corners, no surface scratches or print defects visible to the naked eye. |
| PSA 9 | Mint | Outstanding card with only one minor flaw allowed — slight corner wear, minor print spot, or very slight miscut. |
| PSA 8 | Near Mint–Mint | May show light edge wear, two or three fuzzy corners, or minor surface scratches visible only under magnification. |
| PSA 7 | Near Mint | Above average card with slight surface wear, minor edge nicks, possibly some loss of original gloss. |
| PSA 6 | Excellent–Mint | Minor rounding on corners, slight surface scratching. Card is still clean and presentable. |
| PSA 5 | Excellent | Slightly rough edges, moderate surface scratching. Some rounding may be present but card is not damaged. |
| PSA 4 | Very Good–Excellent | Noticeable surface scratching, corner wear, edge nicks. Card has been handled but is structurally intact. |
| PSA 3 | Very Good | Heavy wear — possible light creases, surface scratches, rounded corners. |
| PSA 2 | Good | Excessive wear including tears, creases, and heavy rounding. |
| PSA 1 | Poor | Card shows extreme wear — staining, creasing, missing pieces. Graded for authentication purposes only. |
Collector tip: PSA 10 and PSA 9 account for the vast majority of collector and investor demand. A PSA 10 Charizard can be worth 3–10× more than the same card in PSA 9.
CGC — Certified Guaranty Company
Founded 2000 (comics) · Entered trading cards 2020 · Fastest-growing grader
CGC is the second most recognized grading company for Pokémon cards. CGC uses a more granular scale that includes half grades (8.5, 9.5) and a special Pristine designation at the top.
| Grade | Label | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| CGC 10 | Pristine / Gem Mint | Two tiers: Pristine 10 (near-perfect, extremely rare) and Gem Mint 10 (slightly relaxed centering). Pristine commands a premium. |
| CGC 9.5 | Gem Mint | Near-perfect card with only the most minor allowable flaw. Often considered equivalent or superior to a PSA 10. |
| CGC 9 | Mint | Excellent condition with one or two minor issues — very light edge wear or slight centering imperfection. |
| CGC 8.5 | Near Mint–Mint+ | Slight wear beyond a 9 — light corner rounding or minor surface marks. |
| CGC 8 | Near Mint–Mint | Light play wear visible. Card remains clean with intact gloss. |
| CGC 7.5 – 5 | Near Mint down to Excellent | Progressively more visible wear. Half-grade steps allow for more precise placement than PSA's whole-number scale. |
| CGC 4 and below | Very Good and below | Heavily played cards. Graded for authentication. |
Collector tip: A CGC 9.5 sits between a PSA 9 and PSA 10 in many collectors' minds. CGC 10 Pristine — with its black label — is rarer and more exclusive than a standard CGC 10 Gem Mint (blue label).
BGS — Beckett Grading Services
Founded 1999 · Pioneer of subgrade system · Strong sports card heritage
BGS provides four individual subgrades — Centering, Corners, Edges, and Surface — in addition to the overall grade. BGS also awards a prestigious Black Label for a perfect 10 in all four subgrades simultaneously.
Centering
Measures how evenly the card image is positioned within the borders.
Corners
Evaluates all four corners under magnification. Sharp, unfrayed corners score highest.
Edges
Checks all four edges for nicks, chips, or roughness.
Surface
Examines front and back for scratches, print lines, or staining — often the hardest category to score perfectly on holo cards.
| Grade | Label | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| BGS 10 | Pristine Black Label | All four subgrades are 10. Extraordinarily rare — even on factory-fresh cards. |
| BGS 9.5 | Gem Mint | Overall 9.5 with all subgrades at 9 or higher. The most desirable common BGS grade. |
| BGS 9 | Mint | Solid high-grade card. One subgrade may dip to 8.5. |
| BGS 8 – 8.5 | Near Mint–Mint | Above average card showing minor wear in one or two categories. |
| BGS 7 and below | Near Mint and below | Increasing visible wear. BGS subgrades remain visible. |
Collector tip: BGS is less common in Pokémon TCG than PSA or CGC, but is respected and liquid. The subgrade system is invaluable for high-value purchases.
PSA vs CGC vs BGS — Side by Side
How the three major graders compare across the factors that matter most.
| Factor | PSA | CGC | BGS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade scale | 1–10 whole numbers | 1–10 + half grades | 1–10 with subgrades |
| Top grade | PSA 10 Gem Mint | CGC 10 Pristine | BGS 10 Black Label |
| Subgrades shown | No | No | Yes — Centering, Corners, Edges, Surface |
| Market liquidity | Highest | High and growing fast | Good — stronger in sports cards |
| Best for | Investing, vintage, resale | Modern sets, Japanese cards | Detailed condition info |
How to Read a Graded Slab
When you receive a graded Pokémon card from SEIM Collects, here's how to read everything on the label.
Grading company logo
The top of the label shows PSA, CGC, or BGS — tells you which company certified it and which verification site to use.
Card name and set details
Full card name, set, card number, and year. Cross-reference with the card inside.
Grade number and label
The large number is the grade. Below it is the grade name. For BGS slabs, four subgrades appear alongside.
Certification number
Every slab has a unique cert number. Verify on the grading company's website. All slabs from SEIM Collects are verified before listing.
Variant / language / edition notes
The label may note first edition, shadowless, Japanese, holo, or promo variants. These details affect value significantly.
Grading FAQ
Ready to start collecting?
Browse our full inventory of PSA, CGC, and BGS certified Pokémon cards — every slab verified, every order packed by hand.