Est. 1991 · Santa Ana, California · 50M+ Cards Graded

PSA Card Grading

Professional Sports Authenticator

The most recognized and liquid grading company in the hobby. PSA-graded cards command the highest premiums and sell fastest on the secondary market.

Cheapest Tier

$25/card

Fastest Tier

1 business day

Market Share

~60%

Total Graded

50M+

Overview

PSA (Professional Sports Authenticator) is the largest and most well-known card grading company in the world, founded in 1991 by Collectors Universe. They have graded over 50 million cards and are considered the gold standard for sports card authentication and grading. PSA uses a simple 1-10 numerical scale that is universally understood by collectors and dealers. Their red-labeled slabs are instantly recognizable and command the highest market premiums of any grading company.

PSA Grading Pricing & Turnaround

Service Tier	Price	Turnaround	Max Value
ValueMost Popular	$25/card	65 business days	Under $499
Economy	$40/card	45 business days	Under $499
Regular	$75/card	20 business days	Under $1,499
Express	$150/card	10 business days	Under $2,499
Super Express	$300/card	5 business days	Under $4,999
Walk-Through	$600/card	2 business days	Under $9,999
Premium	$1,000/card	1 business day	$10,000+

Prices and turnaround times are estimates and may vary. Check PSA's website for current rates.

PSA Grading Scale

Gem Mint

Perfect centering (50/50), sharp corners, pristine edges, flawless surface. Virtually perfect card.

Mint

One minor flaw. Centering 55/45 or better. Slight print spot or minor surface imperfection allowed.

Near Mint-Mint

Slight centering shift (60/40 or better). Minor corner or edge wear. Very slight surface issues.

Near Mint

Slight surface wear. Minor corner fuzzing. Centering 65/35 or better. Light print defects.

Excellent-Mint

Noticeable wear on corners and edges. Visible centering shift. Minor crease allowed in vintage.

Excellent

Moderate corner wear. Rough edges in spots. Surface scuffing. Light crease possible.

Very Good-Excellent

Corner rounding. Edge wear throughout. Surface scratches. One light crease.

Very Good

Heavy corner rounding. Creases. Surface marks. Still structurally sound.

Good

Major wear throughout. Heavy creases. Staining possible. Card is complete but well-loved.

Poor

Severe damage. Heavy creases, tears, writing, stains. Lowest assignable grade — card is authentic and complete.

Strengths

+Highest resale premiums — PSA 10s consistently sell for 15-40% more than equivalent BGS 9.5s

+Most liquid — PSA-graded cards sell faster on eBay, Goldin, and other platforms

+Largest population reports — comprehensive data for price comparisons

+Universal brand recognition — even casual collectors know PSA

+Simple 1-10 scale is easy to understand for beginners

+Best for vintage cards — PSA is the industry standard for pre-1980 cards

Weaknesses

−Longer turnaround times than competitors — economy service can take 6+ months

−Higher pricing at premium tiers compared to competitors

−No subgrades — you only get a single overall number

−Inconsistent grading standards reported by some collectors (especially post-COVID)

−Older slab designs are easier to counterfeit than competitors

When to Choose PSA

Vintage cards (pre-1980)

High-value cards you plan to sell

Long-term investment holds

Cards where maximum resale value matters

Baseball cards (historically strongest PSA market)

PSA Tools on CardVault

Grading ROI Calculator

Calculate whether grading with PSA is profitable for your card.

Submission Planner

Compare PSA tiers side-by-side with PSA, BGS, CGC, and SGC.

Turnaround Estimator

Current PSA wait times for every service level.

Condition Self-Grader

Estimate your card's PSA grade before submitting.

Cross-Grade Converter

Convert PSA grades to PSA, BGS, CGC, and SGC equivalents.

Compare PSA With

← Full comparison of all grading companies

PSA Grading FAQ

How much does PSA grading cost?

PSA grading starts at $25 per card for their Value tier (65 business day turnaround) and goes up to $1,000+ per card for Premium 1-day service. The most popular tier is Economy at $40/card with a ~45 business day turnaround. Bulk submissions (20+ cards at the same tier) often qualify for discounted per-card pricing.

How long does PSA grading take in 2026?

PSA turnaround times in 2026 range from 65 business days (Value, $25/card) to 1 business day (Premium, $1,000/card). The most common Economy tier ($40/card) takes approximately 45 business days. Express service ($150/card) delivers in about 10 business days. Times can vary during peak submission periods like after major product releases.

Is PSA grading worth it for my cards?

PSA grading is worth it when the PSA 10 (or PSA 9 for vintage) premium exceeds the grading cost by at least 2-3x. For example, if a raw card sells for $50 and a PSA 10 sells for $200, the $150 premium easily covers the $25-75 grading fee. PSA is especially worth it for rookie cards, vintage cards, and any card worth $100+ raw. Use our Grading ROI Calculator to check specific cards.

What is the difference between PSA 9 and PSA 10?

A PSA 10 (Gem Mint) requires near-perfect centering (50/50 to 52/48), razor-sharp corners, pristine edges, and a flawless surface. A PSA 9 (Mint) allows one minor flaw — slightly off-center (up to 55/45), a faint print dot, or a barely visible surface mark. The price difference between PSA 9 and 10 varies wildly by card: for modern cards, PSA 10 can be 2-5x more; for vintage, a PSA 9 is often the practical "top grade" and commands massive premiums.

Can I get a PSA card regraded?

Yes, PSA offers a Review service where you can request a regrade of a previously PSA-graded card. The card stays in the holder if the grade doesn't change or goes down, and gets a new holder if upgraded. Many collectors submit cards they believe are under-graded, especially from older eras when standards were different. There is a fee for the service regardless of the outcome.

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