CONDITION: Condition is the most important factor. Even over-produced cards in top grade will usually garner an increase in value if they are graded in top condition. There is usually a threshold at which the card is worth a value that does not change or improve when graded.

Why are graded cards worth more?

The reason that some graded cards sell for more is that the professional graders grade harder than we collectors did 20 years ago. They tend to be very critical of flaws. It is very common for people to send a card off to be graded that the owner feels is in NEAR MINT condition and have it come back graded EXCELLENT!

Will PSA graded cards increase in value?

Having a card encased with a PSA grade, on the company’s 1-10 scale, is often an incredible multiplier for the value of an individual card. An ungraded card with a market value of, say, $25,000 in mint condition can get a 10 from PSA and vault as much as 10 times.

The benefits of card grading include indisputable provenance of authenticity, no subjective condition assignments and an accountability system through an online database. All of these factors combine to, more often than not, increase the value of the card when compared to an ungraded card in equal or similar condition.