Who Grades Harder: PSA or CGC?

The Professional Sports Authenticator (PSA) and Certified Guaranty Company (CGC) are two of the most well-known and respected third-party grading services in the collectibles industry, with PSA generally considered to be more lenient than CGC when it comes to centering, while CGC is stricter in this regard, but PSA is more stringent when it comes to surface quality. The grading process of these companies can significantly impact the value and authenticity of collectible cards, making it essential to understand their grading standards and policies.

Understanding the Grading Process

Grading Standards

Both PSA and CGC use a 10-point grading scale, with 10 being the highest grade a card can receive, indicating a virtually flawless condition. However, the criteria used to determine these grades differ slightly between the two companies, with PSA focusing more on surface quality and CGC placing a greater emphasis on centering.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the main difference between PSA and CGC grading? The main difference between PSA and CGC grading lies in their grading standards, with PSA being more lenient on centering and CGC being stricter in this regard.
2. Is PSA or CGC more widely recognized? PSA is currently the largest and most widely recognized third-party grading service in the industry, with a larger market share and more collectors using their services.
3. How hard is it to get a PSA 10? Achieving a PSA 10 grade is extremely challenging, requiring impeccable centering, sharp corners, pristine edges, and flawless surfaces, with even the slightest imperfection potentially leading to a lower grade.
4. Can a CGC 8 be equivalent to a PSA 10? No, a CGC 8 is not equivalent to a PSA 10, as the grading standards differ between the two companies, with CGC being stricter on centering.
5. What is the lowest grade that CGC assigns? The lowest grade that CGC assigns is an 8, indicating a card with some noticeable flaws but still in good condition.
6. Is a Beckett 9.5 equivalent to a PSA 10? Yes, a Beckett 9.5 is generally considered equivalent to a PSA 10, as both indicate a virtually flawless condition.
7. How accurate is CGC grading? CGC grading is highly accurate, using a 10-point grading scale to evaluate collectible cards based on their condition and authenticity.
8. Why is PSA considered the gold standard in the industry? PSA is considered the gold standard in the industry due to its thorough and consistent grading process, which has been in place since 1991.
9. What is PSA most strict on? PSA is most strict on surface quality, with even the slightest imperfection potentially leading to a lower grade.
10. Is a PSA 7 a good grade? A PSA 7 is a good grade, indicating a card in very good condition with only minor flaws.
11. Can a PSA 10 have scratches? No, a PSA 10 cannot have scratches, as the grading standards require flawless surfaces.
12. Is CGC Pristine 10 a perfect grade? Yes, a CGC Pristine 10 is a perfect grade, indicating a virtually flawless condition with perfect centering and flawless surfaces.
13. How fast is CGC grading? CGC grading can be quite fast, with Modern submissions typically taking around 35 days and Modern Fast Track submissions taking only 11 days.
14. Does CGC give value to collectibles? No, CGC does not assign values to collectibles, only authenticating and grading them based on their condition.
15. Is PSA 10 easy to get? No, achieving a PSA 10 grade is extremely challenging, requiring impeccable centering, sharp corners, pristine edges, and flawless surfaces, making it one of the most difficult grades to achieve in the industry.