The grader standards, published side‑by‑side.

Beckett Grading Services (BGS)

Sub-grades on the label · home of the Black Label 10

Beckett uses a 1–10 scale with half-point increments and uniquely provides four individual sub-grades (centering, corners, edges, surface) alongside the final grade. This transparency makes BGS popular among collectors who want granular detail.

How sub-grades work

Each card receives four sub-grades rated 1–10 (with half-point increments):

1. Centering — border symmetry front and back
2. Corners — sharpness and integrity
3. Edges — smooth and chip-free
4. Surface — print quality, scratches, blemishes

The final grade is calculated from the sub-grades, but it is not a simple average. Beckett uses a proprietary weighting system. The general rule:

• BGS 10 (Pristine) — all four sub-grades are 10
• BGS 10 (Black Label) — all four sub-grades are 10, displayed on a black slab
• BGS 9.5 (Gem Mint) — at least two sub-grades of 10, none below 9
• BGS 9 (Mint) — sub-grades average at least 9, none below 8.5

Centering requirements

Beckett is generally stricter on centering than PSA, especially at the highest grades.

Corners

• 10 — absolutely flawless under any magnification
• 9.5 — virtually perfect; the slightest hint of wear under intense scrutiny
• 9 — one very minor flaw, such as tiny whitening under magnification
• 8.5 — slight wear, possibly visible without magnification on one corner
• 8 — minor but noticeable wear on one or more corners

Edges

• 10 — razor-sharp, clean-cut, zero flaws
• 9.5 — near-perfect with only the most trivial imperfection
• 9 — minor rough spots visible only under magnification
• 8.5 — slight wear becoming visible to the naked eye
• 8 — minor chipping or roughness along edges

Surface

• 10 — perfect print quality, zero surface defects
• 9.5 — virtually flawless; may have one very minor print imperfection
• 9 — one or two minor print defects; surface is clean
• 8.5 — minor surface wear or light print defects becoming visible
• 8 — light scratching, minor surface wear, or noticeable print defects

CGC Cards

Comic-grading heritage, applied to TCG

CGC uses a 1–10 scale with half-point increments and, like Beckett, provides sub-grades for each attribute. CGC has gained traction thanks to competitive pricing and their established reputation from CGC Comics.

Grading criteria

CGC evaluates the same four core attributes as other graders:

1. Centering — symmetry of borders on front and back
2. Corners — physical condition of all four corners
3. Edges — edge integrity, chipping, and wear
4. Surface — scratches, print quality, and surface blemishes

CGC provides optional sub-grades. Their overall grade methodology considers all four attributes with a holistic assessment.

Centering requirements

CGC's centering standards fall between PSA (more lenient) and BGS (stricter).

Corners

• 10 (Pristine) — perfectly sharp at any magnification
• 9.5 (Gem Mint) — virtually flawless; extremely minor imperfection under high magnification
• 9 (Mint) — one minor flaw; may show very slight whitening under magnification
• 8.5 (NM-MT+) — minor wear, slight rounding, or light whitening
• 8 (NM-MT) — moderate wear visible without magnification but not distracting

Edges

• 10 — flawless edges, perfectly clean cuts
• 9.5 — near-perfect with trivial imperfections only under magnification
• 9 — very minor wear, slight roughness under magnification
• 8.5 — light wear beginning to show, minor chipping
• 8 — noticeable but minor chipping or roughness

Surface

• 10 — absolutely clean surface with perfect print quality
• 9.5 — near-perfect; one extremely minor flaw
• 9 — clean surface with minor print imperfections or very light wear
• 8.5 — minor wear or small print defects visible
• 8 — light scratches or moderate print defects, but overall attractive

CGC · PSA · BGS comparison

CGC sits in a middle ground. Their 10 is harder to get than a PSA 10 (especially on centering) but slightly more achievable than a BGS Black Label. CGC is often chosen for:

• Competitive grading fees compared to PSA and BGS
• Faster turnaround times on standard submissions
• Growing market acceptance and resale value
• Clear, detailed labels with optional sub-grades

ACE Grading

Transparent standards · digital measurement

ACE Grading is a newer entrant that has gained popularity with its transparent grading standards, fast turnaround, and technology-driven approach. ACE uses a 1–10 scale and provides sub-grades for each attribute.

Grading criteria

ACE evaluates four attributes, each scored 1–10:

1. Centering — border symmetry and alignment
2. Corners — corner sharpness and condition
3. Edges — edge smoothness and integrity
4. Surface — print quality, scratches, and blemishes

Sub-grades are not printed on the slab label — the label shows only the overall grade. Individual sub-grades are available on the online certificate accessible via the QR code and cert lookup.

Centering requirements

ACE's centering thresholds are clearly published and straightforward.

Corners

• 10 (Pristine) — all four corners perfectly sharp under high magnification
• 9 (Mint) — sharp with only the most minor imperfection under magnification
• 8 (NM-MT) — very light wear — slight softening or minor whitening
• 7 (Near Mint) — visible wear, slight rounding, but not severe

Edges

• 10 — clean, sharp edges with no imperfections
• 9 — near-perfect; minor imperfection only under magnification
• 8 — slight edge wear, minor roughness or small chips
• 7 — noticeable wear but still in good overall condition

Surface

• 10 — flawless surface and print quality
• 9 — very minor surface issue; tiny print imperfection or nearly invisible wear
• 8 — minor wear, light scratching, or small print defects
• 7 — moderate issues; visible scratches or print problems

Why pick ACE

• Transparency — published standards with clear thresholds
• Speed — generally faster turnaround than PSA and BGS
• Technology — digital imaging to assist and verify grades
• Cost — competitive pricing, especially for bulk submissions
• Growing market — increasing acceptance among collectors and sellers