The Ultimate Guide to Getting Your Trading Cards Graded: What You Need to Know

 Collectors of cards and aspiring investors!  I see that you've become addicted to trading cards. Ensure that you are not by yourself. You're sitting on something that might be more than just a piece of cardboard, whether you're clinging onto a childhood Charizard or pulled a sparkling new rookie card. Folks, we're talking about actual value here.

You've likely heard the craze that trading card investments are becoming extremely popular, particularly with Pokémon cards. Who would have imagined that the cards we exchanged at the playground could eventually be used to finance a car or maybe a house? It's a thriving market, not just nostalgia. 

Could you have been asking how to grade Pokemon cards? The crux is that you must grade your cards to optimize their worth. You read correctly—a tiny "report card" for your trade cards. Now take out your binders, and let's get started!

Why Grading Matters

Investment Value

You wouldn't purchase an automobile if you didn't know its past, do you? Likewise, with trade cards. Grading is similar to the Carfax for collectors regarding the value of your cards. An ungraded card can be sold for much less money than a graded one. 

Consider this: you examine a variety of criteria while making stock investments, right? Growth rate, earnings, and all that nonsense. A card's measure, then, is its grade. It clearly describes what prospective traders or purchasers will receive. It's about the state of the card overall, its centering, its edges, and so much more than just how glossy or fantastic it looks.

Authenticity

There are fake cards out there, like counterfeit watches and luxury bags.  A few of these seem somewhat plausible. However, grading a card is similar to receiving an endorsement. This is the industry stating that "This card is legit."

Experts who are passionate about trading cards work for grading companies. They have a mile-long sense of deception. Therefore, you're also offering prospective customers peace of mind when you have a graded card. They must be aware that they are getting the real deal. 

Preservation

But certainly, not least, let's discuss preservation. Are you aware of how wine improves with age? Conversely, if cards are not stored correctly, they may eventually deteriorate. However, a card is sealed in a tamper-evident casing and assigned a number upon grading. This isn't just ordinary plastic—it's made to block out light, grime, and even your skin's oils, which can eventually cause the card to deteriorate. 

Summing it Up

That was a lot to cover, but now that you've done it, you can grade trading cards like an expert!  We've discussed the importance of grading for authenticity, preservation, and financial value. We've gone over the submission procedure, what to do while you wait, and how to utilize your graded cards to their fullest potential after you receive them back.

So, why do you hesitate? Proceed to the next step. To see those cards' full potential, have them graded. Grading is essential to advance your trading card collection, regardless of experience level.