PSA vs CGC Grading: Which Should You Choose?
Complete comparison guide for South African Pokémon card collectors. Make the right choice for your valuable cards.
Quick Comparison Overview
| Feature | PSA | CGC |
|---|---|---|
| Market Recognition | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Highest | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Very High |
| Resale Value | Typically 10-20% higher | Strong but slightly lower |
| Grading Speed | 3-6 months (standard) | 2-4 months (faster) |
| Cost (from SA) | R400-800 per card | R350-700 per card |
| Grading Scale | 1-10 (whole numbers) | 1-10 (includes half-grades) |
| Case Design | Classic clear case | Modern black case |
| Best For | High-value vintage cards | Modern cards, budget-conscious |
🏆 PSA (Professional Sports Authenticator)
✅ Pros
- •Market leader - Most recognized and trusted grading company globally
- •Higher resale value - PSA 10s command premium prices (10-20% more)
- •Vintage card preference - Collectors prefer PSA for vintage cards
- •Investment value - Better for long-term investment pieces
- •Population reports - Comprehensive database of graded cards
❌ Cons
- •Longer turnaround - 3-6 months for standard service
- •Higher cost - Slightly more expensive per card
- •Strict grading - Some say tougher on modern cards
- •No half-grades - Can miss out on cards between grades
⚡ CGC (Certified Guaranty Company)
✅ Pros
- •Faster turnaround - 2-4 months, quicker than PSA
- •Lower cost - More affordable, especially for modern cards
- •Half-grades - Uses .5 increments (9.5 vs just 9 or 10)
- •Modern card preference - Growing recognition for modern sets
- •Sleek cases - Modern black cases preferred by some collectors
❌ Cons
- •Lower resale value - 10-20% less than PSA equivalent
- •Less recognition - Not as established as PSA
- •Vintage cards - Less preferred for high-value vintage cards
- •Investment concerns - Some uncertainty about long-term value
Which Grading Service Should You Choose?
Choose PSA If:
- ✓ You have high-value vintage cards (pre-2000)
- ✓ You're grading for investment/resale
- ✓ You want maximum market recognition
- ✓ You have rare 1st edition cards
- ✓ You can wait 3-6 months
- ✓ Budget is less of a concern
Choose CGC If:
- ✓ You have modern cards (2015+)
- ✓ You want faster turnaround (2-4 months)
- ✓ You're on a tighter budget
- ✓ You prefer half-grades (9.5 vs just 9)
- ✓ You like the modern case design
- ✓ You're grading for personal collection
Pro Tip:
- 💡 Grade Charizards and Pikachus with PSA
- 💡 Modern alt-arts can go to either
- 💡 PSA 10 = CGC 10 ≠ CGC 9.5
- 💡 Consider market trends in SA
- 💡 Use our bulk submission service
- 💡 Ask our team for advice!
Grading Costs for South African Collectors
Grading costs from South Africa include the base grading fee plus international shipping and insurance. Here's a breakdown of typical costs:
PSA Grading Costs
- Standard Service: R400-500 per card (3-6 month turnaround)
- Express Service: R800-1,200 per card (1-2 month turnaround)
- Bulk Submission: R300-400 per card (5+ cards)
- Shipping & Insurance: R200-400 per order
CGC Grading Costs
- Standard Service: R350-450 per card (2-4 month turnaround)
- Express Service: R700-1,000 per card (1-2 month turnaround)
- Bulk Submission: R250-350 per card (5+ cards)
- Shipping & Insurance: R200-400 per order
Our Bulk Submission Service
We offer a bulk submission service for South African collectors! We combine multiple submissions to reduce per-card shipping costs and handle all the logistics. Benefits:
- Lower per-card costs through bulk shipping
- Professional packaging and handling
- Fully insured shipping
- Order tracking and updates
- Expert advice on which cards to grade
Contact Us About Grading Submission
Market Value Differences in South Africa
In the South African market, PSA-graded cards typically sell for 10-20% more than CGC-graded equivalents. This is especially true for:
- Vintage cards (Base Set, Jungle, Fossil, etc.)
- High-value modern cards (Charizard VMax, Alt Arts)
- 1st Edition stamped cards
- Cards valued over R5,000
However, for modern cards under R2,000 in raw form, CGC often makes more financial sense due to lower grading costs and faster turnaround.
Final Recommendation for SA Collectors
Our recommendation: Use PSA for vintage cards and high-value modern cards where resale value matters most. Use CGC for modern cards, bulk submissions, and personal collection pieces where cost and speed are priorities.
Still unsure? Contact our team! We have years of experience with both grading companies and can provide personalized advice based on your specific cards.
Ready to Grade Your Cards?
Contact us about our bulk grading submission service for South African collectors.