What Is CGC Grading?
The newest major player in card grading — how CGC Trading Cards brings comic book grading expertise to the collectible card market.
CGC (Certified Guaranty Company) is a grading company best known for its dominance in the comic book grading market since 2000. In 2020, CGC expanded into trading card grading with CGC Trading Cards, bringing its established reputation for consistency and expertise to the card collecting hobby. CGC has quickly become a serious alternative to PSA and BGS, particularly for Pokemon and TCG collectors. Understanding CGC's approach, its grading scale, and how it compares to the established competitors helps collectors make informed decisions about where to submit their cards.
The CGC Grading Scale
CGC grades cards on a 1 to 10 scale using half-point increments, similar to BGS. A CGC 10 Pristine is the highest grade, followed by CGC 9.5 Gem Mint, CGC 9 Mint, and so on. Like BGS, CGC also offers optional subgrades for Centering, Corners, Edges, and Surface, which are printed on the label when requested.
The CGC 10 Pristine grade has two tiers: a standard CGC 10 and a CGC 10 Perfect, which requires all four subgrades to score a perfect 10. The CGC 10 Perfect is equivalent to BGS's Black Label in terms of rarity and prestige. These distinctions matter for high-end collectors who track the finest condition details.
CGC's half-point system provides more granularity than PSA's whole-number scale, allowing for grades like 8.5 and 9.5 that sit between PSA's whole numbers. This can be advantageous for collectors who want a more precise condition assessment, though it also means market pricing needs to account for more grade increments.
CGC vs PSA vs BGS
CGC entered the card grading market as the third major player, and its position relative to PSA and BGS continues to evolve. In terms of market recognition, PSA remains the dominant brand, particularly for Pokemon and sports cards. BGS holds a strong position in MTG and certain sports card segments. CGC is growing rapidly, especially among Pokemon collectors who appreciate its consistent grading standards and often shorter turnaround times.
One advantage CGC has leveraged is turnaround time. During periods when PSA's submission volume caused multi-month delays, CGC offered significantly faster service, attracting collectors who did not want to wait. CGC has also been competitive on pricing, making it an attractive option for collectors grading mid-value cards where submission costs are a significant factor.
The CGC slab design is visually distinct — a clear case with a coloured label that indicates the grade range. The slab is well-constructed and offers good visibility of the card. Some collectors prefer the CGC slab aesthetics, while others favour the PSA or BGS look. Slab preference is ultimately personal, but it can affect resale appeal in certain markets.
Submitting Cards to CGC
The CGC submission process begins at the CGC website, where you create an account and select a service tier. Like PSA and BGS, CGC prefers cards submitted in semi-rigid holders (Card Savers). Complete the submission form with card details, select any optional services (such as subgrades), and post your cards to CGC's facility.
CGC offers Economy, Standard, Express, and Walkthrough service tiers with varying costs and turnaround times. The Economy tier is the most affordable option for collectors who are not in a rush. Express and Walkthrough tiers cater to dealers and high-volume submitters who need rapid turnaround. Pricing varies, so check CGC's current rate card before submitting.
CGC accepts international submissions, including from the UK. As with PSA and BGS, factor in international shipping costs, insurance, and customs duties. The total cost per card can be significantly higher than the base grading fee when submitting internationally.
Preparing Cards for CGC Submission
Card preparation for CGC follows the same best practices as PSA and BGS. Examine your card under bright, angled light and magnification. Check centering on both front and back, inspect corners and edges for whitening or nicks, and look for surface scratches, print lines, or other imperfections.
Keep your grading candidates safe in penny sleeves inside DeckSentry toploaders during your preparation and collection phase. The acid-free rigid PVC ensures no chemical interaction with the card, while the 99.9% optical clarity lets you inspect cards through the toploader without removing them. When you have assembled your submission batch, transfer sleeved cards from toploaders to Card Savers for posting.
CGC's graders are thorough, and the optional subgrade service provides valuable feedback on your card's specific strengths and weaknesses. If you are submitting for the first time, requesting subgrades on at least some of your cards can help you calibrate your own condition assessment skills for future submissions.
Key Takeaways
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