Grading Checklist
Centering → Corners → Edges → Surface → Math
Five-step pre-grade
| Step | Check | Watch for |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Centering | Measure L/R and T/B borders, front and back. Ratio = bigger ÷ total. | Back counts too. Worst axis sets the cap. |
| 2 Corners | Loupe on all four. | A 10 needs four perfectly sharp corners. Slight fraying on one or two is about an 8. |
| 3 Edges | Run your eye along all four edges. | White chipping, especially on dark or chrome borders. |
| 4 Surface | Tilt under a light. | Scratches, print lines, dimples, stains, lost gloss. |
| 5 Math | Grade range with odds × sold comps per grade. | Grade only if EV − (fee + shipping) > raw value. |
Weakest link: the estimate is the lowest of the four areas, not the average. A PSA 9 allows only one minor flaw.
PSA centering tolerances (approx.)
| Grade | 10 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Front | 55/45* | 60/40 | 65/35 | 70/30 | 80/20 | 85/15 |
| Back | 75/25 | 90/10 | 90/10 | 90/10 | 90/10 | 90/10 |
*Older PSA wording said "55/45 to 60/40." Treat 56–60 on the front as a 9 for pricing. Half grades run 1.5–8.5. There is no PSA 9.5.
Graders at a glance
| PSA | The resale benchmark, with the biggest premium. One number, no subgrades. |
| BGS | Four subgrades. Black Label = 10/10/10/10. Owned by Collectors (PSA's parent) since late 2025. |
| SGC | Tuxedo slab, strong for vintage, often cheaper. Owned by Collectors since 2024. |
| CGC | The main Pokémon alternative. Pristine 10 sits above Gem Mint 10. |
PSA tiers (as of Oct 2026; verify before quoting)
| Tier | Per card | Turnaround | Max value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard | $59.99 | 90–100 bus. days | $1,000 |
| Priority | $79.99 | 70–80 | $1,500 |
| Express | $199 | 20–30 | $2,500 |
| Premier | $599 | 7–10 | $10,000 |
| Value tiers | $24.99–$64.99, paused since June 2, 2026 | ||
Return shipping is billed per order, by declared value and card count. Batch cards to spread it out.
Worth-grading formula
EV = P(10)×PSA 10 comp + P(9)×PSA 9 comp + P(8)×PSA 8 comp
Grade if EV − (fee + shipping per card) > raw comp.
Rule of thumb: grading pays when a 10 is realistic and the 10 is worth far more than the 9. Don't forget the months-long wait.
Example: raw $45, 10/9/8 = $300/$80/$50, cost ≈ $68. At 52/48 and clean (40/50/10%), EV is $165, which beats raw by plenty. At 58/42 (5/60/35%), EV is $80.50, so sell raw.
Sources: PSA Grading Standards · Cardlines · Collectors Universe · SCD: half grades · CardShopFinder · SCD: Beckett · CGC · Heavy · PreGrade Cards · PSA postage