PSA Card Grading Cost
The Professional Sports Authenticator or PSA for short is an organization that specializes in grading sports cards. They are considered by many collectors and dealers to be the most trusted name when it comes to buying or selling your favorite game.
PSA’s 10-point grading scale is used by the entire collecting community to determine the true value of cards. The most popular and widely accepted way of measuring card condition, PSA has been around since 1991.
PSA is a division of Collectors Universe, that has offices in Paris, New Jersey, California, Tokyo, Shanghai, and Hong Kong.
How Much Does PSA Card Grading Cost?
The cost to have your cards graded by the PSA is influenced by many factors such as the type and value of sports cards, the shipping options, and any extra options, plus the number of cards that are sent in.
According to the official website page of the PSA Card Grading, the costs for authenticating and grading services would start at $100 per card and go up to $10,000 per card, depending on the value of the card. In general, the cost increases as the value of the card increases and the turnaround is faster.
In the table below you will find the average cost of authenticating and grading different types of cards.
| Card Authentication Service | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Cards with a declared value of $25,000 | $1,200 regardless of whether it is autographed or not |
| Cards with a declared value of $10,000 to $24,999 | $800 regardless of whether it is autographed or not |
| Cards with a declared value of $5,000 – $9,999 | $250 regardless of whether it is autographed or not |
| Cards with a declared value of $2,000 – $4,999 | $95 regardless of whether it is autographed or not |
| Cards with a declared value of $500-$1,999 | $45 regardless of whether it is autographed or not |
| Cards with a declared value under $500 | $18 not signed and $25 with autograph |
| Cards with a declared value under $250 | $18 not signed and $20 with autograph |
Note: These prices are subject to change and it is recommended to refer to the SMR online in order to find the declared value of your card and to know how much to budget.
For example, according to Dean’s Cards, you will have to pay anywhere between $20 and $25 per card, including insurance and shipping, in order to have your card graded. Though, expect to pay $50 to $320 per card if its value is higher.
You might also like our articles about the cost of framing a jersey T-shirt, a stamp collection, or a coin collection.
The grading process can be very time-consuming and may not always give an accurate reading. The website recommends avoiding it unless you have a card that’s over 20 years old with nearly perfect condition.
What are the extra costs?
The costs of authenticating and grading the supersized card, pins, and coins are almost the same as the ones mentioned above. Though, these have to be treated as a separate order, resulting in an extra cost.
Important things to consider
Depending on the type of service you are going to choose, the estimated turnaround time can range anywhere from one day for a card worth $25,000 or even more, to almost ten business days for a card that worth less than $510.
The fees we mentioned above will be applied to any trading cards, except sports cards, including Yu-Gi-Oh, Pokemon, and Magic.
How can I save money?
For those who plan on grading multiple cards throughout the year, a membership may be worth it. For only around $240 per year, you get fast turnaround times and exclusive deals with your card services. They say that as long you take advantage of the free gradings each year, then your investment will be worth it.
PSA has earned a reputation for being an industry leader in the field, but before you decide that this is the card grading service to use make sure it aligns with your needs. Check out other services like those provided by Beckett or SGC so you can choose what will work best for you based on price range and desired results.
It is recommended to get a card graded only if it will speed the sale or increase its value. If none of these two things are going to happen it would be better to just store the card in a safe place.
Like with any other service or product, the more you consume the more you can save. There may be bulk discounts applied if you submit more than ten cards for grading at once.
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I have a Ricky Henderson that I would like to have graded. Any ideas on the cost to do so?
Life big fat ugly list it costs £18 to £35