How Much Does PSA Grading Cost? - Wax Pack Gods (2024)

Posted by Adam Hughes | Baseball Card Values, Resources | 0 |

PSA grading costs range anywhere from $22 per card all the way up to $10,000 per card, depending on the value of the card, the age of the card, how many cards you’re submitting at one time, how fast you want the turnaround to be, and other factors.

Below is a complete rundown of the PSA grading cost levels.

(Note: As of June 2021, most of PSA’s services were temporarily suspended as the company worked to chew through a huge backlog of submissions. PSA announced late in 2021, though, that some of their basic services were being reinstated, and they were mostly back to full speed by . Check the PSA site for the current status of their services.)

How Much Does PSA Grading Cost? - Wax Pack Gods (1)

Basic Options

Bulk

Cost: $22/card

Maximum declared value: $199 per card

Turnaround time: 120 days

(This option available only to PSA Collectors Club members.)

Value

Cost: $20/card for a minimum of 10 cards

Maximum declared value: $499 per card

Turnaround time: 90-120 days

(This option available only to PSA Collectors Club members.)

Economy

Cost: $50/card

Maximum declared value: $499

Turnaround time: 45-90 days

Regular

Cost: $100/card

Maximum declared value: $1499

Turnaround time: 15-30 days

Express

Cost: $150/card

Maximum declared value: $2499

Turnaround time: 14 days

Super Express

Cost: $300/card

Maximum declared value: $4999

Turnaround time: 7 days

Walk-Through

Cost: $600/card

Maximum declared value: $9999

Turnaround time: 3 days

Premium Options

Premium 1

Cost: $1000/card

Maximum declared value: $24,999

Turnaround time: 3 days

Premium 2

Cost: $2000/card

Maximum declared value: $49,999

Turnaround time: 3 days

Premium 3

Cost: $3000/card

Maximum declared value: $99,999

Turnaround time: 3 days

Premium 5

Cost: $5000/card

Maximum declared value: $249,999

Turnaround time: 3 days

Premium 10

Cost: $10,000/card

Minimum declared value: $250,000

Turnaround time: 3 days

(If you want to start learning about how much PSA cards are worth, check out our rundown on how to use the PSA price guide here.)

Of course, PSA also grades items other than cards, and they also do more than just grading things.

Among their other offerings:

  • Card authentication
  • Ticket authentication and grading
  • Pack authentication and grading
  • Card and autograph dual grading (for autographed cards)
  • Card reholdering (placing previously PSA-graded cards in new holders)
  • Card and autograph dual reholdering
  • Ticket reholdering
  • Pack reholdering

PSA’s service offering change on occasion, and their pricing changes a bit more often. It’s always a good idea to check out their services page for the most up-to-date information.

PSA also offers a “Collectors Club” that you have to join in order to get the “Value” pricing list above.

How Much Does PSA Grading Cost? - Wax Pack Gods (2)

Should You Get Your Cards Graded?

So, given the prices above, is it worth it to get your cards graded?

That’s the million-dollar question … or at least the $20 question, depending on the service level you’re looking at.

The answer deserves a full article of its own, but some points to consider can help get you closer to a decision:

  • What grade do you *think* your card would receive? Be brutally honest, and then lop off a number or two.
  • What would your card sell for if it received that grade? You can always check the “sold” prices on eBay (affiliate link) to get an idea.
  • How much more — or less — is the potential selling price than the price you paid for the card PLUS the cost of grading?
  • How hard would the card be to sell? How much commission or shipping or other fees would you incur?
  • What is your purpose for getting your card graded?

That last question is probably the most important of all.

If you want to get a card graded for aesthetic reasons, or for posterity because you intend to keep it for a long time, then it the rest of the bullet points above probably don’t matter. Grading would enhance your enjoyment of the hobby, and that’s what this whole thing is all about.

If, on the other hand, you want to turn a profit, then you really need to hone in on what a realistic margin might be for you if you do get your card graded.

So …

Should you get your card graded? It’s ultimately up to you, but just make sure you’re making an informed decision. Grading a card is an investment, and, like any investment, it can pay handsome dividends, or it can bite you in the nalga.

If you want more help in deciding whether to get your cards graded or not, check out our eBook, available on Gumroad. You can also get that book for free with a paid subscription to our Baseball Card Market Report newsletter.

(You might also enjoy our articles about BGS grading costs and SGC grading costs.)

How Much Does PSA Grading Cost? - Wax Pack Gods (3)

1987 Barry Larkin Topps Fleer PSA 7s Donruss Bgs 6.5

How Much Does PSA Grading Cost? - Wax Pack Gods (9) $25.00
End Date: Tuesday 04/09/2024 02:47:08 EDT
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1987 TOPPS BARRY BONDS ROOKIE GEM MINT 10 INVESTOR LOT

How Much Does PSA Grading Cost? - Wax Pack Gods (24) $1,100.00
End Date: Monday 04/08/2024 00:52:28 EDT
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Lot Of (5) Tim Burke Signed Autograph Baseball Cards

How Much Does PSA Grading Cost? - Wax Pack Gods (31) $14.95
End Date: Monday 04/01/2024 16:40:40 EDT
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1982 Fleer # 229 Nolan Ryan Graded PSA 8 Nm-Mint HOFer

How Much Does PSA Grading Cost? - Wax Pack Gods (35) $25.00
End Date: Tuesday 04/02/2024 20:38:37 EDT
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How Much Does PSA Grading Cost? - Wax Pack Gods (2024)

FAQs

How much does it cost to get a PSA grade? ›

What type of grading is offered?
PSA Grading Service LevelsPrice per itemTurnaround Time (Business Days)
Value (Card only)$2565 days
Economy (Card only)$4020 days
Regular (Card only)$7510 days
Express (Card only)$1505 days
1 more row
3 days ago

How can I get my PSA graded for cheap? ›

If you want the highest return value for valued grading, do PSA. It is only about $20 at PSA itself, but if you want it to be even cheaper, go to a hobby store, or a person that grades FOR people, and submit something you want. Generally, this cost me about $8–$10 per card, and results were usually good.

How to check PSA prices? ›

Head to PSAcard.com/auctionprices and search for your card. The more refined the query, the more accurate the results. It is best to include the year, manufacturer and subject of your card in your search. If you include the card number, expect All-Star results.

How much does grading cost? ›

Companies typically charge $0.20 to $2.00 per square foot for ground leveling; $1.10 per square foot is a fairly average price. So how much to level a yard? The table below breaks down common yard sizes and what you might pay for ground leveling at an average cost of $1.10 per square foot.

Why is PSA grading so expensive now? ›

Time and Labor: The process of grading trading cards is a time-consuming and labor-intensive task. Each card must be carefully inspected, graded, and encapsulated to ensure its preservation. PSA graders spend a significant amount of time evaluating each card, analyzing its condition, and assigning it a grade.

Does PSA grading do walk ins? ›

Q: Do you have a walk-in store? A: No, We do not.

Can I grade my own cards? ›

The answer is yes, you can engage in self-grading your own cards. Self-grading allows you to have a preliminary idea of the card's condition and potential grade before sending it to a professional grading company. This can be beneficial in identifying any discrepancies when the graded cards are returned.

What is the cheapest place to get cards graded? ›

Beckett Grading Services, PSA, and SGC are among the cheapest card grading companies in the market, offering quality services at competitive prices. Remember to consider factors such as reputation, turnaround time, and pricing when choosing a card grading company.

Is Beckett or PSA better? ›

If the cards are primarily for collecting purposes and maintaining a high level of authenticity, Beckett's stricter grading standards may be preferred. On the other hand, if the focus is on resale value and market demand, PSA graded cards may be the better choice.

Does PSA do bulk pricing? ›

The following price changes are now in effect for PSA Collectors Club members only: Value Bulk ($19/card, 20-card minimum, $499 max declared value *MDV) per card, estimated turnaround time of 65 business days); and Dual Service Bulk ($25/card, 20-card minimum, $499 MDV, estimated turnaround time of 75 business days).

How hard is it to get a PSA 10? ›

Achieving a PSA 10 requires impeccable centering, sharp corners, pristine edges, and flawless surfaces. Even the tiniest imperfection, such as a printing flaw or a minor scratch, can lead to a lower grade. These stringent grading standards contribute to the scarcity of PSA 10 cards.

Do PSA cards go up in value? ›

If a card is already considered rare or highly sought after, receiving a PSA 10 grade further enhances its desirability. The combination of rarity and pristine condition can result in a substantial increase in value. Collectors are willing to pay a premium for cards that are both rare and in top-notch condition.

Can you do grading yourself? ›

While it is possible to grade the soil in your yard yourself, since it is a simple process, having a professional do the job will save you the risk of improper or ineffective grading.

How much does a PSA 10 increase value? ›

The scarcity of these cards in perfect condition, coupled with the high demand from fans and collectors, drives the value to astronomical levels. In some cases, the difference in value between a PSA 9 and a PSA 10 graded card can be tenfold or more. The PSA 10 grade holds immense value in the world of collectibles.

How much is a 70% in grading? ›

To convert your GPA to a 4.0 scale:
Letter GradePercent Grade4.0 Scale
C73-762.0
C-70-721.7
D+67-691.3
D65-661.0
8 more rows

Do you have to pay to get a card graded by PSA? ›

The price of the PSA grading will depend on the item's declared value (Grading Service Level). You will also have to pay a $19 shipping fee for grading cards and a $22 shipping fee for grading Funko Pop! items. Note: At this time, integrated grading is only offered for sellers and buyers in the US.

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