CGC vs. PSA vs. BGS: Which Grading Service for Your Collection?
CGC, PSA, BGS — the three major grading services dominate the market for certified collectibles. But which service is right for your collection? The answer depends on what you collect and what you want to achieve with the grade.
Quick Overview: Who Does What?
| Service | Founded | Focus | Recognition |
|---|---|---|---|
| CGC | 2000 | Comics, Manga | ★★★★★ for Comics |
| PSA | 1991 | Cards (Pokémon, Sports, TCG) | ★★★★★ for Cards |
| BGS (Beckett) | 1999 | Cards with subgrades | ★★★★☆ |
| CGC Cards | 2020 | Pokémon, Magic, Sports | ★★★☆☆ (growing) |
CGC — The Standard for Comics
For comics, CGC is the undisputed number one. No other grading service comes close to CGC's acceptance in the comic community. A CGC-slabbed comic is the currency at conventions, on eBay and in auction houses.
- Scale: 1.0 – 10.0 with half-grades (9.4, 9.6, 9.8...)
- Strength: Globally recognized, highest market value for slabbed comics
- Weakness: Expensive, long wait times for Economy service
- Recommendation: Essential for key issues and valuable Silver/Golden Age comics
PSA — The Market Leader for Pokémon Cards
PSA is to Pokémon cards what CGC is to comics: the market standard. A PSA 10 Charizard regularly fetches 5–10× the raw card's value at auction. The simple 1–10 scale without subgrades makes PSA accessible for beginners.
- Scale: 1–10 (whole numbers, no subgrades)
- Strength: Highest market acceptance for Pokémon cards worldwide
- Weakness: No subgrades, sometimes inconsistent grading
- Recommendation: First choice for Pokémon cards with market value over $50
BGS — Subgrades for Perfectionists
Beckett Grading Services (BGS) offers the most detailed evaluation system: each card receives four subgrades for Centering, Corners, Edges and Surface. Getting all four at 9.5 or above earns the coveted BGS 10 Black Label — the ultimate quality certificate for Pokémon cards.
- Scale: 1–10 with subgrades (Centering, Corners, Edges, Surface)
- Strength: Transparency through subgrades, BGS 10 Black Label highly sought after
- Weakness: Lower market acceptance than PSA, more complex process
- Recommendation: Ideal for collectors who want to know exactly why a card didn't get PSA 10
Direct Cost Comparison
| Service | Cheapest Entry | Express Service | Standard Turnaround |
|---|---|---|---|
| CGC (Comics) | from $30 | from $100 | 30–60 days |
| PSA (Cards) | from $25 | from $150 | 20–45 days |
| BGS (Cards) | from $25 | from $150 | 20–45 days |
Conclusion: Which Service Should I Use?
- I collect comics → CGC, always
- I collect Pokémon cards → PSA for maximum market value
- I want detailed subgrades for my Pokémon card → BGS
- I'm unsure if submission is worth it → SlabScan pre-grading first!