PSA vs CGC: Which Certification to Choose for Your Pokemon Cards?

The Pokemon card market has experienced spectacular growth in recent years. Whether you are a passionate collector, a savvy investor, or simply curious, the question of certifying your Pokemon cards inevitably arises. Having a card graded means submitting it to an independent laboratory that will evaluate its condition according to strict criteria and encapsulate it in a sealed protective case. But faced with the different options available -- PSA, CGC, or Beckett -- how do you make the right choice? This comprehensive guide provides all the answers to help you make an informed decision.

What is Pokemon card grading?

Grading is a professional process of authenticating and evaluating the condition of a collectible card. A qualified expert meticulously examines each card under controlled lighting, using loupes and specialized tools, to assign a grade reflecting its physical condition. This grade, generally between 1 and 10, is then printed on a label sealed inside a rigid, tamper-proof plastic case, commonly called a "slab."

The benefits of grading are multiple. First, it guarantees the card's authenticity: a reputable laboratory like PSA or CGC certifies that your card is not a counterfeit, which is particularly important for vintage cards where you need to know how to spot fakes from the real thing. Second, the assigned grade provides an objective and universal standard for evaluating the card's condition. Finally, encapsulation physically protects the card against wear, humidity, and handling.

The history of grading dates back to the early 1990s, primarily in the world of American sports cards. PSA was the first company to offer this service on an industrial scale in 1991. The rise of Pokemon cards in the 2000s, then the market explosion during the 2020-2023 period, propelled grading to the status of near-necessity for any card of significant value. Today, owning a graded card has become an indispensable mark of trust on the secondary market.

Why grading is essential for collectors and investors

For a collector, grading brings peace of mind. You know exactly what you are buying or own, with no ambiguity about the card's actual condition. For an investor, grading is simply indispensable: a PSA 10 graded card can be worth 5 to 50 times more than an identical ungraded card in similar condition. The grade creates market liquidity by standardizing evaluation, which facilitates transactions and strengthens trust between buyers and sellers worldwide.

PSA (Professional Sports Authenticator): the industry standard

PSA, or Professional Sports Authenticator, was founded in 1991 by collectors David Hall and Steve Sloan in California. Initially dedicated to sports cards, PSA quickly established itself as the global benchmark for grading, processing millions of cards each year. When it comes to Pokemon cards, PSA holds a largely dominant position with the biggest market share and the most comprehensive database in the sector.

The PSA grading scale from 1 to 10

The PSA grading scale runs from 1 (Poor) to 10 (Gem Mint). Here are the main grades you will encounter on the market:

• PSA 10 -- Gem Mint: the maximum grade. The card is in near-perfect condition with impeccable centering (within the 60/40 front and 75/25 back tolerance limits), sharp corners and edges, and a surface free of defects visible to the naked eye.
• PSA 9 -- Mint: a card in excellent condition with one minor defect allowed, such as a slight off-centering or a minuscule surface flaw.
• PSA 8 -- NM-MT (Near Mint-Mint): very good condition with a few minor imperfections visible upon careful examination.
• PSA 7 -- Near Mint: good overall condition with slight but noticeable signs of wear.
• PSA 1 to 6: cards with increasingly marked defects, from visible wear to creases, tears, or stains.

PSA turnaround times and pricing in 2026

PSA pricing varies considerably depending on the service level chosen and the declared value of the card. In 2026, the Economy service starts at around $20 to $25 per card, with a processing time of up to 120 to 150 business days. The Regular service is around $50 to $75 with a 40 to 65 day turnaround. For express submissions or high-value cards, prices can climb from $150 to several hundred dollars per card, with turnaround times reduced to a few business days.

Advantages of PSA

• Worldwide recognition: PSA is the most well-known and respected brand in the sector. Its name alone inspires confidence among international buyers.
• Superior resale value: a PSA 10 card consistently sells for more than an equivalent CGC 10 or BGS 9.5, with a premium that can reach 10 to 30% depending on the card.
• Population database: PSA maintains the world's largest population database, allowing you to know the exact number of cards graded at each grade. This tool is indispensable for evaluating the rarity of a specific grade.
• Market liquidity: PSA cards sell more quickly on platforms like eBay, thanks to buyer confidence.

Disadvantages of PSA

• Sometimes long turnaround times: economy services can take several months, which is frustrating for collectors in a hurry.
• Higher prices: PSA is generally more expensive than CGC, especially for fast turnaround services.
• No subgrades: PSA assigns a single overall grade without detailing centering, corners, edges, and surface. This can lack transparency.
• Case fragility: PSA slabs are known to be slightly more fragile than CGC ones, with reported cases of cracks at the ultrasonic weld seams.

CGC (Certified Guaranty Company): the serious challenger

CGC, or Certified Guaranty Company, is originally known for comic book grading since 2000. CGC launched its collectible card grading service under the name CGC Trading Cards in 2020, since renamed CGC Cards. Although newer to the Pokemon card market, CGC has established itself as a credible and quality alternative to PSA, winning over a growing number of collectors with undeniable strengths.

The CGC grading scale and subgrades

CGC also uses a scale of 1 to 10, but distinguishes itself by systematically adding subgrades for four fundamental criteria:

• Centering: evaluates the distribution of the frame around the illustration, on both the front and back.
• Corners: checks the sharpness and integrity of the card's four corners.
• Edges: examines the condition of the edges around the entire perimeter of the card.
• Surface: analyzes the card's surface for scratches, stains, printing defects, or any other flaws.

Each subgrade is displayed on the slab's label, offering remarkable transparency about the card's precise condition. For example, a CGC 9 with subgrades of Centering 9, Corners 9.5, Edges 9, Surface 9.5 allows the buyer to understand exactly why the card received that overall grade. CGC also offers a special "10 Pristine" grade and an extremely rare "10 Perfect" (when all subgrades are 10).

CGC turnaround times and pricing in 2026

CGC offers generally more competitive pricing than PSA. The Standard service starts at around $15 to $20 per card with a 50 to 80 business day turnaround. The Express service is around $40 to $65 with a 10 to 20 day turnaround. Priority services reach $100 to $250 for processing in a few days. CGC tends to offer slightly shorter processing times than PSA, which is a significant advantage for standard submissions.

Advantages of CGC

• Detailed subgrades: the transparency offered by subgrades is CGC's main asset. You know precisely where your card's strengths and weaknesses lie.
• More robust cases: CGC slabs are reputed for their superior sturdiness, with a mechanical interlocking design more resistant to impacts and cracks.
• Faster turnaround times: CGC generally offers shorter processing times than PSA, an appreciable advantage when you want to get your cards back quickly.
• More accessible pricing: entry-level prices are slightly lower, making the service more affordable for volume submissions.

Disadvantages of CGC

• Less recognition: although its reputation is growing, CGC has not yet reached PSA's level of name recognition among all collectors, particularly in the Asian market.
• Lower resale premium: a CGC 10 card sells for an average of 10 to 30% less than an equivalent PSA 10, which can represent hundreds or even thousands of euros in difference on the most sought-after cards.
• Newer population database: the CGC database is less comprehensive than PSA's due to its later market entry.

Beckett (BGS): the third option

Beckett Grading Services (BGS), founded in 2001, represents the third major option for Pokemon card grading. Historically very popular in the world of sports cards, Beckett has developed solid expertise in collectible card evaluation. Its grading system combines an overall grade with four subgrades, similar to CGC.

The Beckett subgrade system

BGS evaluates the same four criteria as CGC: centering, corners, edges, and surface, each graded on a scale of 1 to 10 with half-points (9, 9.5, 10). The overall grade is a weighted average of these subgrades. The grading system is as follows:

• BGS 10 Pristine: the card receives at least a 10 in at least one subcategory and at least 9.5 in the others. The label is gold ("Gold Label").
• BGS 10 Black Label: the ultimate grade. All four subgrades must be 10. This is the rarest and most coveted grade in the entire industry. The label is black, immediately recognizable.
• BGS 9.5 Gem Mint: the approximate equivalent of a PSA 10. Card in exceptional condition with high subgrades.
• BGS 9 Mint: very good condition, comparable to a PSA 9.

Advantages and disadvantages of Beckett

The main advantage of BGS lies in its BGS 10 Black Label, considered the most prestigious grade in the industry. A vintage Pokemon card with a Black Label 10 can reach astronomical prices, often exceeding those of a PSA 10 for the most sought-after specimens. The subgrades provide transparency comparable to CGC.

However, Beckett suffers from several disadvantages: a more limited market than PSA (BGS cards sell more slowly), sometimes unpredictable turnaround times, and a Pokemon community that generally prefers PSA. BGS 9.5 Gem Mint grades, though excellent, often trade at the same price or slightly below a PSA 10 on the secondary market.

Detailed comparison: PSA vs CGC vs Beckett

To help you visualize the differences between these three certification services, here is a summary comparison table covering the most important criteria:

This comparison highlights the complementary strengths of each service. PSA dominates in recognition and resale value, CGC shines with its transparency and case quality, while Beckett offers the ultimate grail with the Black Label 10. The choice will depend on your personal priorities, which we will detail in the next section.

Which certification to choose based on your profile?

There is no universal answer to the question "PSA vs CGC." The best choice depends on your goals, your budget, and the type of cards you own. Here are our detailed recommendations for different collector profiles.

For investment and resale: PSA

If your primary goal is to maximize the resale value of your cards, PSA is the obvious choice. The market premium associated with the PSA name is real and quantifiable. A Charizard Base Set PSA 10 will sell for significantly more than the same specimen in CGC 10. This difference is even more pronounced for the rarest and most sought-after cards, such as those found in our selection of the rarest French-edition cards. For an investor, every percentage point counts, and PSA offers the best liquidity and the best valuation.

For transparency and understanding: CGC

If you prioritize transparency and want to understand your cards' condition in detail, CGC is an excellent choice. The subgrades let you know precisely whether a card was penalized for its centering, corners, or surface. This is particularly useful if you are sending cards for grading for your personal collection and want to learn to better evaluate your cards' condition. CGC subgrades are also an asset when buying: you can spot a CGC 9 with high subgrades (like 9.5/9/9.5/9) that offers excellent value for money.

For very high-end cards: BGS Black Label

If you own a card that you believe is in absolutely perfect condition -- ideal centering, flawless corners, crisp edges, surface without the slightest defect -- attempting a BGS Black Label 10 can prove extremely profitable. A BGS Black Label 10 on a vintage 1st Edition Pokemon card can reach prices considerably higher than a PSA 10. However, this strategy is risky: the criteria for obtaining a Black Label are draconian, and if the card only receives a BGS 9.5, its value will be lower than a PSA 10 on the market. Reserve this option for cards whose exceptional condition you are absolutely certain of.

For vintage French-edition cards: PSA recommended

Vintage Pokemon cards in the French edition represent a particularly dynamic niche market. For these cards, we recommend PSA for several reasons. The PSA population database is the most comprehensive for French editions, allowing buyers to verify the rarity of a grade. Additionally, the international community of French card collectors predominantly uses PSA as their reference. Finally, French PSA 10 cards benefit from a superior market premium, as French editions are rarer than their English counterparts. You can discover our selection of PSA-certified vintage Pokemon cards in our shop.

How to get your cards graded from Europe

If you live in Europe and want to get your Pokemon cards graded, several options are available. The process requires some preparation, but it is entirely accessible, even for beginners.

Direct shipping to laboratories

The most direct method is to create an account on the official PSA (psacard.com) or CGC (cgccards.com) website, fill out an online submission form, then ship your cards via registered and insured mail to the United States. It is imperative to properly protect your cards during shipping: use sleeves (soft protective pouches), then toploaders (rigid protections), all held in place with tape and wrapped in bubble wrap inside a sturdy box. Plan for customs and return shipping costs, which can represent a significant surcharge.

Authorized dealers and group submissions

The most popular alternative in Europe is to go through an authorized dealer or a group submission service. These intermediaries, often present at Pokemon conventions and shows, collect cards from multiple clients and send them in batches to the laboratories. The advantages are multiple: shared shipping costs, simplified customs formalities, and often negotiated rates thanks to volume. Some dealers also offer a pre-evaluation service to give you a grade estimate before submission.

Tips for maximizing your grades

Before sending your cards for grading, a few precautions can increase your chances of getting a high grade:

• Check the centering: use a centering measurement tool (available online or as a mobile app) to evaluate whether your card meets the required tolerances for a high grade. Poor centering is the most common reason for a grade below 10.
• Inspect the corners and edges: using a loupe (10x minimum magnification), examine each corner and edge of the card. The slightest cutting defect, whitening, or wear can reduce the grade.
• Examine the surface: under raking light, check for scratches, fingerprints, or printing defects (print lines). Gently clean the surface with a clean microfiber cloth if necessary.
• Handle with care: wear cotton or nitrile gloves when handling. Hold the card by the edges only. Never touch the surface of a card you intend to submit for grading.
• Store properly: keep your cards in sleeves and toploaders, away from direct light, humidity, and temperature fluctuations.

Conclusion: PSA, CGC, or Beckett?

The choice between PSA, CGC, and Beckett fundamentally depends on your goals. To summarize: choose PSA if you aim for the best resale value and the greatest market recognition. Opt for CGC if you prioritize transparency, robust cases, and more accessible pricing. Try Beckett BGS only if you own a card in absolutely impeccable condition and are aiming for the prestigious Black Label 10.

Whatever your decision, having your Pokemon cards graded is a wise investment that protects, authenticates, and enhances the value of your collection. Grading transforms a simple card into a standardized, traceable, and internationally recognized collectible. At Cards N Packs, we offer a rigorous selection of PSA-certified vintage Pokemon cards, ready to enrich your collection.

The Pokemon card certification market continues to evolve rapidly. New companies are emerging, evaluation technologies are improving, and collectors are better informed than ever. One thing is certain: in a market where trust is paramount, professional certification will remain an indispensable pillar for years to come.