New PSA Customers Get Up to $25 Off
New to grading? For a limited time only, get up to $25 off your first online grading order at psacard.com or the PSA mobile app.
Offer valid for new-to-PSA grading customers only
Promo codes MUST be entered at the “Shipping & Billing” screen before completing your online submission.
A maximum $25 discount will be reflected on your qualifying grading order.
Additional terms apply. See full terms & conditions for more details.
Submit NowNew PSA Customers Get Up to $25 Off
New to grading? For a limited time only, get up to $25 off your first online grading order at psacard.com or the PSA mobile app.
Offer valid for new-to-PSA grading customers only
Promo codes MUST be entered at the “Shipping & Billing” screen before completing your online submission.
A maximum $25 discount will be reflected on your qualifying grading order.
Additional terms apply. See full terms & conditions for more details.
Submit Now
Is My Card Worth Anything?
Whether you inherited a box of trading cards, just joined the hobby, or have a renewed interest in collecting, you might be wondering where to start. This research guide will help you learn how to determine if your card is worth grading.
Is My Card Worth Anything?
Whether you inherited a box of trading cards, just joined the hobby, or have a renewed interest in collecting, you might be wondering where to start. This research guide will help you learn how to determine if your card is worth grading.
1. Assess Card Condition
Authentication verifies the originality or genuineness of a trading card, while grading assesses the quality and condition.
PSA has established recognized and respected universal grading standards for trading card collectors using our 10-point grading scale.
You’ll want to examine everything from the card surface to its edges. Is the image centered on the card? Are there any folds or creases? Is it stained or damaged? These are all factors that will affect your card’s grade.
Given their age, vintage cards might not be in the best condition, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t worth grading. Many vintage cards are still very valuable, even in a low grade. Any card (including modern) could be worth grading regardless of condition—whether due to rarity, scarcity, or sentimental value.
Since 2018, PSA has graded tens of millions of cards. Grades for various card types have been distributed as follows:
90% of Ultra-Modern Sport cards (2017-present) and Modern trading card games (TCG)(2003-present) have graded at a PSA 8 or higher.
80% of Modern Sport cards (1986-2016) have graded at a PSA 8 or higher.
80% of Vintage TCG cards (pre-2003) have graded at a PSA 7 or higher.
IMPORTANT: All percentages are approximate. PSA grades each card individually, without regard to these stats or other population-level results.
Authentication verifies the originality or genuineness of a trading card, while grading assesses the quality and condition.
PSA has established recognized and respected universal grading standards for trading card collectors using our 10-point grading scale.
You’ll want to examine everything from the card surface to its edges. Is the image centered on the card? Are there any folds or creases? Is it stained or damaged? These are all factors that will affect your card’s grade.
Given their age, vintage cards might not be in the best condition, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t worth grading. Many vintage cards are still very valuable, even in a low grade. Any card (including modern) could be worth grading regardless of condition—whether due to rarity, scarcity, or sentimental value.
Since 2018, PSA has graded tens of millions of cards. Grades for various card types have been distributed as follows:
90% of Ultra-Modern Sport cards (2017-present) and Modern trading card games (TCG)(2003-present) have graded at a PSA 8 or higher.
80% of Modern Sport cards (1986-2016) have graded at a PSA 8 or higher.
80% of Vintage TCG cards (pre-2003) have graded at a PSA 7 or higher.
IMPORTANT: All percentages are approximate. PSA grades each card individually, without regard to these stats or other population-level results.
PSA’s Grading Scale
PSA 10 vs 9 vs 8
A PSA 10 is essentially a perfect card—extremely well-centered, pristine corners, and no surface damage, blemishes, or imperfections. A PSA 9 is nearly perfect with only one minor flaw, such as a minor printing imperfection or very slight off-centering. A PSA 8 may look like a PSA 9 at first glance and is in excellent condition, but may show the slightest fraying on one or two corners or a minor printing imperfection or be very slightly off-center.
PSA 10 vs 9 vs 8
A PSA 10 is essentially a perfect card—extremely well-centered, pristine corners, and no surface damage, blemishes, or imperfections. A PSA 9 is nearly perfect with only one minor flaw, such as a minor printing imperfection or very slight off-centering. A PSA 8 may look like a PSA 9 at first glance and is in excellent condition, but may show the slightest fraying on one or two corners or a minor printing imperfection or be very slightly off-center.
PSA 7 vs 6 vs 5 vs 4
A PSA 7 may have surface wear like minor fraying or a small printing blemish and might be off-centered. A PSA 6 may have more visible surface wear or a printing defect that doesn’t detract from the overall appeal—more visible fraying, rounding of corners, or a light scratch. PSA 5 cards show minor rounding of the corners, more visible surface wear or printing defects. A PSA 4 has more visible surface wear, or several light scratches, and may be more noticeably off-center.
PSA 7 vs 6 vs 5 vs 4
A PSA 7 may have surface wear like minor fraying or a small printing blemish and might be off-centered. A PSA 6 may have more visible surface wear or a printing defect that doesn’t detract from the overall appeal—more visible fraying, rounding of corners, or a light scratch. PSA 5 cards show minor rounding of the corners, more visible surface wear or printing defects. A PSA 4 has more visible surface wear, or several light scratches, and may be more noticeably off-center.
PSA 3 vs 2 vs 1
A PSA 3 has some apparent surface wear and rounding of corners, may have yellowed or discolored borders, and might show creasing or other damage. A PSA 2 card will have more obvious surface wear, accelerated rounding on the corners, and may have chipping and several creases, or more apparent off-centering. A PSA 1 will have major creasing, missing pieces, extreme discoloration, and noticeable warping or other destructive defects.
PSA 3 vs 2 vs 1
A PSA 3 has some apparent surface wear and rounding of corners, may have yellowed or discolored borders, and might show creasing or other damage. A PSA 2 card will have more obvious surface wear, accelerated rounding on the corners, and may have chipping and several creases, or more apparent off-centering. A PSA 1 will have major creasing, missing pieces, extreme discoloration, and noticeable warping or other destructive defects.
2. How to Find Card Details
There are a few key details that will help you identify a card:
1 - Year Printed
2 - Manufacturer
3 - Set
4 - Player/Character
5 - Card #
6 - Parallel (if applicable)
When you look up your card, the more information you provide, the more accurate your results will be. Confirm that your card matches the search results.
Can’t find all of the card details? Don’t worry—the PSA Research team will properly identify your card when it arrives.
TIP: Detail locations may vary depending on card type. For example, sports cards might have details on both sides, while Pokémon cards and other trading card games (TCGs) have details on the front.
There are a few key details that will help you identify a card:
Year Printed
Manufacturer
Set
Player/Character
Card #
Parallel (if applicable)
When you look up your card, the more information you provide, the more accurate your results will be. Confirm that your card matches the search results.
Can’t find all of the card details? Don’t worry—the PSA Research team will properly identify your card when it arrives.
TIP: Detail locations may vary depending on card type. For example, sports cards might have details on both sides, while Pokémon cards and other trading card games (TCGs) have details on the front.
3. Research Card Value
Head over to eBay, filter your search for completed/sold, and enter your card details into the search bar in this order:
[Year Printed] [Manufacturer] [Set] [Player/Character] [Card#] [Parallel if applicable] + your estimated grade (Refer back to Step 1)
Example: "2017 Panini Prizm Patrick Mahomes II #269 Prizm PSA 10"
Look for how much the card has sold for over the past three to six months in the PSA grade of your card. This can serve as your Declared Value—the dollar amount you estimate that your item will be worth after PSA authentication and grading.
Of course, you won’t know the true value until your card has been graded. However, there’s a good chance you are hoping to increase the value of your card. Recent data shows that PSA-graded cards outsell the competition in 9 out of 10 sales.
Declared Value does two important things:
It helps you select the right submission Service Level
It sets the maximum amount of insurance coverage available**
Head over to eBay, filter your search for completed/sold, and enter your card details into the search bar in this order:
[Year Printed] [Manufacturer] [Set] [Player/Character] [Card#] [Parallel if applicable] + your estimated grade (Refer back to Step 1)
Example: "2017 Panini Prizm Patrick Mahomes II #269 Prizm PSA 10"
Look for how much the card has sold for over the past three to six months in the PSA grade of your card. This can serve as your Declared Value—the dollar amount you estimate that your item will be worth after PSA authentication and grading.
Of course, you won’t know the true value until your card has been graded. However, there’s a good chance you are hoping to increase the value of your card. Recent data shows that PSA-graded cards outsell the competition in 9 out of 10 sales.
Declared Value does two important things:
It helps you select the right submission Service Level
It sets the maximum amount of insurance coverage available**
4. Start Your Submission
**Insurance coverage included with your PSA order begins at the time your order reaches the "Order Prep" status, meaning your items have been received, unpacked, and identified. PSA does not insure your items while inbound to PSA