Card Collecting 101: Why Should You Get Your Cards Graded?

Getting your cards graded by a third-party grading service is the best way to maximize the value of your collection. This is so because your sportscard gets a stamp of approval from a well respected organization that has seen many valuable cards and has graded them objectively. In addition, placing them in a holder prevents the card from getting damaged. Grading a sportscard can add exponential value to your card. For instance, a 1952 Topps #311 Mickey Mantle Rookie card has an ungraded value of $30,000, but last year a PSA MINT 9 sold for $282,588. Common cards of non-stars from important sets also fetch big money because people try to collect the set in as high a grade as possible. The ungraded value on a 1986 Fleer Basketball #76 Johnny Monroe is $1.25, but a PSA GEM MT 10 sold for a staggering $7,995! This Dan Marino 1984 Topps Rookie card is graded a BGS 10 Pristine by Beckett Grading Services. It’s ungraded book value is around $60 but watch what this card sells for on eBay, eBay, and you will see what I mean about the importance of getting your sportscards graded.

Happy Collecting

Joe (joe@joeknowscards.com)