How to Grade Sports Cards

Determine the Value of Your Sports Cards

• 1

  Gain an understanding of card grade terminology before seeking expert advice. Websites like Trading Card Central offer basic introductions to the grading process for card collectors (see Resources below).

• 2

  Establish an informal grade for each card in your own collection before having them assessed. After reading up on the definitions for various grades, determine the grade you feel that an individual card should get. This process allows a collector to speak authoritatively with a dealer about each card in their collection.

• 3

  Head to your local sports dealer to have a professional eye applied to your collection. Some sports card dealers have been certified by the preeminent grading bodies in the industry. Non-certified dealers may still be able to give collectors an honest appraisal of a card's grade.

• 4

  Scan an individual card and submit it for review by fellow collectors online. Online forums that focus on sports card collecting are frequented by experienced appraisers and collectors. While this is an informal process, a high quality scan can help confirm a collector's belief that they possess a high grade card.

• 5

  Gain professional certification of rare sports cards at a sports card convention. These events typically have booths or tables run by professionals who can grade your cards. A certification by a sports card expert increases its value in trades or sales.

• 6

  Create a document trail that includes informal assessments of your sports card collection. In addition to professional certification, grades by dealers or experienced collectors carry weight when it comes time to insure a collection or sell.