Not All 10’s Are Graded Equal

Where to get your cards graded or what type of graded cards to buy, is a decision faced buy the new collector. In the new age of collecting the hobbyist is faced with an array choices. Unfortunately only a few of the choices are worth the plastic the card is bound in.

Non-reputable grading companies appear in the industry on a regular basis. A new collector purchasing a card whether modern or vintage, can be easily taken in by the disreputable dealer simply because they don’t know any better. They see a card issue listed as a GEM MINT 10 and they believe what is being purchased is graded to the highest standard. To make this article short and to the point the only companies that your prized cardboard should be seen in are:

1. BGS Beckett Grading Services - for modern issues 1980-present
2. BVG Beckett Vintage Grading - for vintage issues prior to 1981
3. PSA Professional Sports Authenticator
4. GAI Global Authentication Inc.
5. SGC Sportscard Guarantee Corp.
6. KSA If you collect Hockey you’ll see their holders

Note: BCCG is a division of Beckett, cards in these holders are simply that cards in a holder. BCCG provides a quick inexpensive way of slabbing a card with a general grade at best. Don’t confuse these grades with their premium service grades.

There are a handful of other companies out there, word of advice don’t buy anything in one of those holders, especially anything vintage. There are also a few very questionable concerns out there. The ones that come to mind are:

1. PSA Paradise Sports Authentication
2. VSA Vintage Sports Authority
3. AAA American Authentication Assoc.
4. Allstar Card Authenticators

If you see any of these run.

Before You Bid Arm Yourself With Knowledge !