How to Grade Pokémon Cards (with Examples)

Introduction

Pokémon cards have transcended their origins as a childhood game to become prized collectibles and investments. In this guide, we will discuss how to grade them. Professional grading can authenticate your cards, encapsulate them for preservation and provide an objective condition assessment that influences market value. But how do graders evaluate a Pikachu or Charizard, and what can you do to ensure your cards receive top marks? This guide breaks down the grading criteria used by major companies and offers practical tips and examples to help you grade your Pokémon cards.

Blastoise & Piplup in PSA 9

Why grade Pokémon cards?

Authentication and protection are the primary reasons collectors send cards to PSA, BGS, CGC or SGC. A graded slab guarantees the card isn’t counterfeit and shields it from handling damage. Grading also adds liquidity; buyers trust numerical grades, so high‑grade cards typically command higher prices than raw cards of similar condition. Finally, grading provides peace of mind—you’ll know exactly how your card stacks up against others and whether it is truly a gem.

What graders look for

All major companies judge cards on similar criteria: centering, corners, edges and surface. For Pokémon cards, graders inspect the glossy front and matte back for print defects, scratches or scuffs; they check that edges are sharp and free from whitening; and they examine corners for nicks or bends. According to a Pokémon grading guide, graders meticulously evaluate these areas to assign subgrades or determine the final score. Even tiny print lines or off‑center borders can lower the grade.

• Surface: Look for scratches, dents, stains or print lines on the holographic foil and text areas. Use angled light to reveal imperfections.

• Edges: Check the entire perimeter for whitening or chipping, especially along the coloured border.

• Corners: Inspect each corner under magnification for rounding, dings or bends. Sharp, square corners are essential for high grades.

• Centring/Printing: Measure the border widths on all four sides; ideal centring is 50/50, but minor deviations are allowed depending on the grader. Blurry text or misaligned elements may also impact the score.

Understanding grading scales

• PSA: Uses a 1‑10 scale without half points. A Gem‑Mint 10 must have sharp corners and virtually flawless surfaces with centring within 55/45 on the front and 75/25 on the back. Lower grades allow progressively more wear, with a PSA 8 permitting slight whitening and print defects.

• Beckett (BGS): Employs half grades (e.g. 9.5) and issues subgrades for centring, corners, edges and surface. The final grade isn’t a simple average; for example, a card with three 9.5 subgrades and one 9 may receive a final 9.5 or 9 depending on which categories are weaker. BGS also awards special labels such as “Black Label” for perfect subgrades.

• CGC/SGC: CGC recently tightened its scale so that 10s are rare; it distinguishes between 10 Pristine and 10 Perfect, with the latter requiring flawless subgrades. SGC uses whole numbers like PSA but is known for strict centering requirements.

Understanding these scales helps you set expectations. For instance, a card with slightly off‑centre borders might be a PSA 9 but could receive an 8.5 from CGC.

How to evaluate your Pokémon card

1. Gather tools: Use a bright desk lamp, microfibre cloth, magnifying glass or loupe and a centring ruler. A digital app like CenterGrade can quickly measure centring to the pixel, saving you from manual calculations.

2. Examine the front and back: Tilt the card under light to identify surface scratches or print lines. Even faint scratches on holographic foil can knock a card down from 10 to 9.

3. Inspect edges and corners: Run a finger gently along the edges to feel for rough spots and inspect corners with magnification. Whitening often appears first on coloured borders.

4. Check centering: Measure the borders and compare ratios. A common rule is that the front must be within 55/45 for PSA 10s and 60/40 for a PSA 9ggwpacademy.com. BGS and CGC have similar but sometimes stricter tolerances.

5. Note printing quirks: Some vintage Pokémon cards have light ink or off‑register print; while minor misalignments can still receive high grades, severe printing errors reduce the score.

6. Decide whether to grade: After evaluating, ask yourself whether the card meets your desired grade. A card with a scratch and off‑centre border may top out at a PSA 8; decide whether the grading fee is justified given its market value.

   
   

Examples

Example 1: Modern holo with minor surface scratch – A Sword & Shield‑era Secret Rare Charizard shows crisp edges and perfect centring, but a small horizontal scratch runs across the holofoil. Under PSA standards, this defect could lower the card to a 9. BGS might assign subgrades like centring 10, corners 9.5, edges 9.5, surface 8.5, resulting in an overall 9.5 or 9.

Example 2: Vintage Base Set Pikachu with off‑centre printing – This card has no major scratches or edge wear, but the yellow border is noticeably thicker on the left side. PSA allows up to 60/40 centring for a 9, so this card could achieve a PSA 9. CGC may deem the centring too far off for a 9 and assign an 8.5.

Example 3: Shadowless Chansey with whitening – A shadowless card from 1999 exhibits whitening on two corners and slight edge chipping. Even if centring and surface are good, these defects likely cap the grade at a PSA 8 or BGS 8.5.

Conclusion

Grading Pokémon cards requires understanding the criteria and realistic expectations for your card’s condition. By closely inspecting surface, edges, corners and centring, and familiarising yourself with PSA, BGS, CGC and SGC scales, you can decide which cards are worth submitting and avoid disappointment. Remember that even experienced collectors use digital tools to measure centring and review their cards under bright light. Ultimately, careful evaluation and preparation will help you secure the best possible grades for your Pokémon treasures.