Do you have a shoebox full of old Pokemon cards? Have you ever thought about selling them but don’t know what they’re worth? Or do you want to buy a card off eBay but don’t know if you’re getting scammed or not?
Beckett grades Pokemon cards, and these grades will help you determine the worth of the card. Beckett is one of the most thorough grading companies in the industry, and a card rated 10 by them is sure to be worth a lot.
Let’s dive deep into the world of grading and learn all about the grading process! By the end of this article, you’ll want to have some of your own cards graded!
What Does It Mean to Grade a Pokemon Card?
When your Pokemon cards get graded, they are evaluated based on their condition. If they are in better condition they will get a higher grade, which tends to be a number out of 10. The higher they are graded, the more they are worth.
There are four main things that graders look for when it comes to Pokemon cards. This helps keep grading objective and also creates sub-categories for each grade.
Centering
Centering is how well the artwork on the card is centered. The front tends to be more strict than the back.
Corners
The condition that the corners are in will affect the grade. Unsymmetrical cutting or wear and tear will affect the card’s grade.
Edges
Edges are similar to corners. Nicks and whitening are the most common problems that the edges run into.
Surface
Holographic bleed, print lines, and scratches can all affect the grade of the surface of the card.
How Much Does It Cost to Get Pokemon Cards Graded by Beckett?
Beckett charges $20 for each card for economy service with no sub-grading. They charge $35 per card for economy service with sub-grades.
Although these prices may seem high, you must consider how much money you can make from a graded card. When Charizard was first released, it sold for $50-$100. Now, if you want a 1st Edition Charizard, it will cost at least $300.
There is only one BGS 10 Pristine 1999 1st Edition Charizard, and it sold for nearly $11,000! If it weren’t properly graded, it wouldn’t have been able to sell for that much.
Clearly, the cost of grading each card is insignificant compared to how much money you can make if you are strategic about which cards you get graded. Or maybe it’s your passion, and you’re willing to spend money on it.
It is worth going through your old cards to see if you have any that might be of value. You never know!
Is Beckett Card Grading Legit?
Beckett’s card grading is legit.
Beckett was founded in 1999 and has their headquarters in California. They are one of the most popular and well-respected graders in the industry.
Beckett grades both modern and vintage cards. BGS stands for Beckett Grading Services.
BGS 10 Pristine (the highest rating possible) will create the highest value when selling a card because it means the card is in incredible condition. BGS 10 Pristine is very rare.
The cards come back to you in internal sleeves inside plastic cases.
How Do You Get a Pokemon Card Graded by Beckett?
There are a few steps to getting your Pokemon card graded by Beckett.
- Sign up for Beckett and create an account.
- Download and fill out the Gaming Submission Form.
- Write down all your details, including your name, address, and email where it says “Ship to”.
- Choose your shipping method. You won’t know the costs until you finish the submission form because it depends on how many cards you have graded.
- Put your card details in one row, and insert their value for insurance.
- Enter your payment information and submit your order! You will be provided with an order ID.
PSA Recommends using Card Saver 1’s when submitting cards for grading. To check the current price and availability of Card Saver 1 Sleeves, click here to view the selection on Amazon.
What Are the Perks of Beckett Card Grading?
There are many perks to getting your cards graded by Beckett.
- Increase the value of your cards. The secondary market price will be much higher with grades.
- Preserve your cards. The protective cardholder provided by Beckett will preserve your cards.
- Protect your cards from tampering. Once your cards are graded and slabbed (put in their protective sheets) they will be protected from tampering.
- Display your cards. The BGS cardholder is highly appealing and great for displaying your cards.
Is Beckett or PSA better for Pokemon Cards?
The choice between getting your cards graded by Beckett or PSA depends on what you want them graded for.
It is incredibly hard to get a BGS 10. Even if your card is in mint condition, it will probably only get a 9.5.
On the other hand, it is easier to get a PSA 10. The same card might get a BGS 9.5 and a PSA 10.
People will always want to buy the highest number if you are selling your cards. So if you are selling, PSA is the better choice.
PSA is also the grader of choice amongst most of the Pokemon community.
But if you are grading for your own collection, Beckett is much more thorough than PSA, so you might want to use Beckett. This will give you a better idea of the quality of your cards. Beckett also has sub-grades.
You need a membership to PSA to get your cards graded by them. You don’t need a Beckett membership.
Beckett cards come back in a displayable case, while the cases that PSA provides are better for storage.
Final Thoughts
Beckett is top-notch when it comes to grading Pokemon cards. They are extremely thorough and follow a precise system to determine the worth of each card.
Cards that are graded are worth much more because the consumer knows the objective quality of the card. It is also great to have your own collection graded if you are an enthusiast.
So pull out that old box from the back of your closet and see what it has to offer! You may be surprised!