CGC Card Grading
Certified Guaranty Company (Cards)
The newest major grading company, backed by the trusted CGC Comics brand. Fast turnaround, competitive pricing, and subgrades are attracting a growing collector base.
Overview
CGC Cards (Certified Guaranty Company) launched their trading card grading division in 2020, leveraging 20+ years of trusted grading experience from CGC Comics — the world's largest comic book grading company. Despite being the newest entrant, CGC has rapidly gained market share by offering competitive pricing, fast turnaround times, and optional subgrades. Their high-security slab design incorporates an inner well with a microprint security label. CGC is particularly popular with Pokemon and TCG collectors, and their market acceptance for sports cards is growing steadily.
CGC Grading Pricing & Turnaround
| Service Tier | Price | Turnaround | Max Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| EconomyMost Popular | $15/card | 50 business days | Under $250 |
| Standard | $30/card | 20 business days | Under $500 |
| Express | $60/card | 10 business days | Under $1,000 |
| Priority | $120/card | 5 business days | Under $2,500 |
| Walk-Through | $250/card | 2 business days | $2,500+ |
Prices and turnaround times are estimates and may vary. Check CGC's website for current rates.
CGC Grading Scale
Strengths
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When to Choose CGC
CGC Tools on CardVault
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CGC Grading FAQ
How much does CGC card grading cost?
CGC card grading starts at $15 per card for their Economy tier (50 business day turnaround) — the cheapest option among major grading companies. Standard service is $30/card with a 20 business day turnaround. Adding subgrades costs an additional $10 per card at any tier. CGC frequently runs promotions and bulk submission discounts that can bring the per-card cost even lower.
Is CGC grading accepted for sports cards?
CGC grading acceptance for sports cards has grown significantly since 2020 but still trails PSA and BGS. CGC-graded sports cards are fully accepted and sell well on eBay, COMC, and other marketplaces, though they typically sell for 10-30% less than equivalent PSA grades. For Pokemon and TCG cards, CGC is widely accepted and sometimes preferred over other options. The gap is closing as more collectors recognize CGC's quality standards and heritage from their comic book grading division.
What is the difference between CGC 10 and 9.5?
CGC uses "Pristine" for their 10 grade and "Gem Mint" for 9.5 — which is different from PSA where 10 is "Gem Mint." A CGC 10 Pristine is extremely strict, requiring near-perfection in all categories. A CGC 9.5 Gem Mint is the more commonly achievable top grade and is roughly equivalent to a PSA 10 in terms of card quality. This labeling difference is important to understand when comparing across companies.
Does CGC offer subgrades?
Yes, CGC offers optional subgrades for an additional $10 per card on top of the base grading fee. The subgrades cover the same four categories as BGS: Centering, Corners, Edges, and Surface. Unlike BGS where subgrades are included in the price, CGC gives you the choice — useful for personal collection cards where you want the detail, or when you want to evaluate crossover potential to PSA.
Is CGC better than PSA for Pokemon cards?
For Pokemon cards specifically, CGC is a strong choice. CGC has significant market acceptance in the Pokemon community, faster turnaround times, lower prices, and their grading standards are well-suited to modern printed cards. While PSA 10 Pokemon cards still command premiums, the gap is smaller for Pokemon than for sports cards. Many Pokemon collectors prefer CGC for cards under $200 in value, and PSA for higher-value vintage Pokemon cards.