Sports card collecting has evolved significantly over the years, with professional grading becoming one of the biggest factors influencing a card’s market value. A graded sports card often commands a significantly higher price than its ungraded counterpart, but why?

In this guide, we’ll explore how grading impacts the value of sports cards, price differences between graded and ungraded cards, and when it’s worth getting a card professionally graded.

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What Is the Difference Between Graded and Ungraded Sports Cards?

A graded sports card has been professionally assessed for authenticity and condition by a third-party grading company, such as PSA (Professional Sports Authenticator), BGS (Beckett Grading Services), or SGC (Sportscard Guaranty Corporation). Once graded, the card is encapsulated in a tamper-proof plastic case with a numeric score indicating its condition (on a scale of 1 to 10).

An ungraded (raw) sports card has not been officially evaluated by a grading service. While some collectors may be able to estimate a card’s condition, it lacks an official certification, making its value more subjective.

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How Does Grading Affect a Sports Card’s Value?

A card’s condition directly impacts its worth, and a professional grading company provides a standardized way to assess that condition.

• Graded cards provide buyers with confidence, reducing the risk of fraud or condition misrepresentation.
• High-grade cards (9s and 10s) can sell for exponentially more than raw cards.
• Lower-graded cards (5s and below) may not see as much of a value increase, depending on the card’s rarity.

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Value Comparison: Graded vs. Ungraded Sports Cards

While values fluctuate based on player popularity, set, and rarity, here are general price differences for graded vs. ungraded versions of popular cards:

Modern Sports Cards

• 2020 Panini Prizm LaMelo Ball Rookie Card
  • Ungraded: $50 – $100
  • PSA 9: $200 – $300
  • PSA 10: $500+
• 2018 Topps Update Ronald Acuña Jr. Rookie Card
  • Ungraded: $75 – $125
  • PSA 9: $350 – $450
  • PSA 10: $1,000+

Vintage Sports Cards

• 1986 Fleer Michael Jordan Rookie Card
  • Ungraded: $5,000 – $8,000
  • PSA 7: $15,000 – $20,000
  • PSA 10: $200,000+
• 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle Rookie Card
  • Ungraded: $20,000 – $50,000
  • PSA 5: $150,000+
  • PSA 9: $2,000,000+

These price differences illustrate how significantly grading can impact a card’s market value, particularly at higher grades.

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When Should You Get a Sports Card Graded?

Not every card is worth grading, as submission fees and processing times vary. Here are some factors to consider:

• Condition – If a card appears near mint or better, it has higher grading potential.
• Rarity and Demand – High-end rookies, Hall of Famers, and limited prints benefit the most from grading.
• Potential ROI – If the graded value significantly exceeds the grading cost, it’s worth considering.

Conversely, common, low-value, or heavily worn cards may not justify the cost of grading.

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Final Thoughts

Grading can make a massive difference in the value of a sports card, particularly for rare or iconic issues. While raw cards still have value, a high-grade certification can significantly increase resale prices. For collectors and investors, understanding the difference between graded and ungraded cards is crucial when buying, selling, or submitting cards for evaluation.