Graded cards 101: PSA, BGS and buying graded in Australia
Graded cards, cards that have been authenticated, assessed for condition and sealed in a protective case by a third-party grading company, have become a major part of the trading card and sports card hobby in Australia. If you're new to grading, the terminology and process can seem confusing at first. This guide covers the basics of how grading works, what the major grading companies do differently, and what to think about before you buy graded cards in Australia.
What does "graded" actually mean?
Grading is a service offered by independent, third-party companies that assess a card's authenticity and condition, then encase it in a tamper-evident plastic holder (often called a "slab") along with a label showing the grade, certification number and other details. The point of grading is to give buyers and sellers a consistent, independently verified standard for a card's condition, rather than relying on a seller's own description.
The main grading companies
A number of companies offer grading services worldwide, and Australian collectors most commonly encounter these:
PSA (Professional Sports Authenticator)
One of the longest-running and most widely recognised grading companies, PSA grades both sports cards and trading card games on a 10-point scale, with PSA 10 ("Gem Mint") as the top grade. PSA is particularly well known in the sports card and Pokémon collecting communities.
BGS (Beckett Grading Services)
BGS also uses a 10-point scale but is known for its sub-grade system, which scores a card separately on centering, corners, edges and surface before combining them into an overall grade. A BGS 9.5 with four matching sub-grades (sometimes called a "Gold Label" or "Black Label" depending on the exact scores) is treated differently by some collectors than a 9.5 with mixed sub-grades, since the sub-grades show exactly where a card lost points.
Other grading companies
Other companies such as CGC (Certified Guaranty Company) also grade trading cards and have grown in popularity in recent years, particularly for TCGs. Different companies can have different grading standards, so a grade from one company isn't always directly comparable to the same numerical grade from another.
How the grading scale generally works
Most grading companies use a 1-10 scale, broadly along these lines:
- 10 (Gem Mint): as close to flawless as the grading company recognises, with essentially no visible flaws.
- 9 (Mint): a very well-preserved card with only minor, hard-to-spot imperfections.
- 7-8 (Near Mint): minor wear visible on close inspection, but still a strong-looking card.
- Below 7: increasing degrees of wear, from light play to heavily damaged.
Graders assess centering, corners, edges and surface to arrive at the final number. Because grading is a judgement process carried out by human graders (within each company's standards), two cards that look identical to the naked eye can occasionally receive different grades.
What affects a card's grade?
Centering
How evenly the image is centred within the card's border. Off-centre printing is one of the most common reasons a card doesn't reach a top grade.
Corners
Sharpness of all four corners, since even tiny amounts of whitening or softness can affect the grade.
Edges
Condition of the card's edges, checking for chipping, roughness or whitening along the border.
Surface
Scratches, print lines, indentations or other surface-level flaws, including factory defects from the printing process itself.
Buying graded cards: what to check
Whether you're buying a graded card online or in person, a few checks go a long way:
- Verify the certification number: most grading companies let you look up a cert number on their website to confirm the grade and card details match what's advertised.
- Inspect the slab: check for cracks, seal integrity and any signs the holder has been tampered with.
- Confirm the exact card: set, card number, and any parallel or special print details should match the listing.
- Buy from a seller you can go back to: if a slab arrives damaged or the details don't match, you want a seller who will actually resolve it.
Raw vs graded: which should you buy?
There's no universal answer here. Grading protects a card physically and gives it an independently verified condition, which matters if you're building a long-term collection or want certainty about what you own. Raw (ungraded) cards are more flexible, since you can sleeve, trade or grade them yourself down the track, but rely on your own or a seller's assessment of condition. Many collectors hold a mix of both, keeping standout pieces graded and building the rest of their collection raw.
Where to buy graded cards in Australia
Frenly Bricks carries a rotating selection of graded Pokémon cards and graded sports cards, alongside our broader trading card range covering raw singles and sealed product across Pokémon, Magic, Yu-Gi-Oh and more. Because graded stock changes as pieces sell through, it's worth checking back regularly or getting in touch if you're after something specific.
If you'd rather inspect a slab in person before buying, visit us at Frenly Bricks in Carrara, Gold Coast, open seven days a week. We also feature graded cards from time to time in our eBay Live auctions, run most weekends.
Have graded slabs of your own you're thinking about selling? Details on how that works are on our Sell to Us page.
Common questions about graded cards
Can I grade a card myself?
No. Grading has to be done by a recognised third-party grading company. You submit the card to the grading company directly (or through an authorised reseller/submission service), and it's returned encased in a slab with its assigned grade. Turnaround times and costs vary by company and service tier, so it's worth checking directly with the grading company for current details before submitting.
Is a higher grade always worth more?
Generally, a higher numerical grade reflects better condition, and better-condition cards tend to attract more collector interest. That said, factors like the card's rarity, how many have been graded at each grade level by that company, and overall demand for that specific card all play a role too. We'd steer clear of assuming any specific grade guarantees a particular outcome. Grading reflects condition, not a promise about future value.
Can a graded card be re-slabbed or re-graded?
Yes, most grading companies offer a re-grading or "crossover" service, where a card can be removed from its original slab and resubmitted, sometimes to a different grading company. This carries handling risk and cost, so it's usually only worth considering if there's a genuine reason to expect a different outcome.
What does it mean if a slab is cracked?
A cracked slab means the outer case has been damaged, which can affect the card's protection even if the card itself still looks fine. Most grading companies will re-holder a card with a cracked slab for a fee, provided the grade label and certification details are still intact and verifiable. If you're buying a graded card, always check photos closely for any sign of a cracked or compromised case.
Do all trading card games and sports have graded versions?
Most major trading card games (Pokémon, One Piece, Magic, Yu-Gi-Oh and others) and sports card categories can be submitted for grading, provided the grading company accepts that category. Coverage and popularity vary. Pokémon and major sports cards are amongst the most commonly graded categories in Australia.
Getting started with graded cards
Understanding how PSA, BGS and other grading companies assess condition, and what the resulting grade actually tells you, makes buying graded cards a lot less intimidating. Take the time to verify certification numbers, inspect the slab itself, and buy from a seller who stands behind what they sell, and you'll build a graded collection you can trust.
