Now don’t’ just think that collecting cards is just for fun. Now there are many companies that make their money just selling the cards in packs, team sets, or boxes, full or partial sets, other companies make their money from selling single cards or Authentic Worn Jersey, Used Football, Used Bats/Lumber, and Used Basketball Piece. While other companies profit from grading and authenticating memorabilia. These companies whose main goal is to put a grade on most sought-after cards on the market. Authentication of the jersey is mainly the companies that is putting the piece of jersey on its card, and is authenticated by the card company itself.
For Autographed cards, the card will come Authenticated by the card company, the company statement on the back of the card will state the Authenticity of the Autograph.
There are several companies that profit from grading and authenticating an autograph.
Professional Sports Authenticator (PSA), Beckett Grading Services (BGS), Sportscard Guaranty Corporation (SGC) and Global Authentication Inc. (GIA). All are competing amongst each other and with the major card manufacturers to make a profit.
Lets break down some of the companies.
PSA, which is one of the few hobby companies listed in The NASDAQ Stock Market. PSA is a division of Collectors Universe. PSA offers a 10-point grading scale, 1 being Poor or Fair up to 10 for a Gem Mint, and has graded some of the most rare and valuable treasures in the hobby. The 1909-11 T206 Honus Wagner sold for $1.265 million. PSA graded the card at an 8 (Near Mint-Mint)(NM-MT). PSA also authenticates tickets and other items making it one of the most diverse companies in the hobby.
BCG, another one of the most respected names in the hobby, also offering a 10-point grading scale from 1 (Poor) to 10 (Pristine) and also increments of one-half points such as 9.5 (Gem Mint). To get a BGS 10 on a card is one of the rarest treasures in the industry. BGS offers a second grade, using a 5-point grading scale, which focuses solely on the quality of the certified autograph. BGS will identify the error with the card and let the collector know as to why he/she got a low grade on the scale.
Another company that has begun to take a piece of the hobby’s services is SGC.
SGC attracts vintage and pre-war collectors, mostly due to the fact that many of the other companies have little expertise with vintage cards.
SGC uses a 15-point system that begins at 10 (Poor) and goes up to 100 (Pristine). In comparison, a SGC grade of 86 (NM+) corresponds to a BGS grade of 7.5.
GAI, was started by former PSA employee Stephen Rocchi and Mike Baker. Mr. Rocchi was the founder and former President of PSA, Mr. Baker was the former Director of Grading for PSA. With that background it has helped GAI become one of the most respected companies in the hobby. With a 10-point grading scale and one-half point increments similar to BGS, except that a GAI 10 is called Perfect, it appears to many collectors to just be a copy of the larger company. However, GAI is much more diverse than BGS, with their programs for authentication of Hollywood memorabilia, historical items, autographs and unopened packs of cards at the forefront of their respective fields. Also, with the first cards graded at each level, a certification is issued labeling that card as the "first graded". For example, if you are the first person to submit a specific card and it is the first card to receive a grade from GAI, the company will designate your card as First Graded.
If you want to get your card graded, how do you know which one to go with. PSA is great for fans of vintage cards and graded sets due to the Set Registry and their experience with older cards. You have to become a member of PSA, with an annual fee and then a fee for grading your card(s). BGS does not charge a membership fee. Instead, collectors pay a set amount per card based on the desired service level, then pay additional fees per card if it is a certified autograph card or a pre-1981 card. The company also provides free access to its population reports. SGC does not charge any fees except to get cards graded. In addition, they offer free online price guides and population reports, which are valuable tools for any collector. GAI also does not require an annual membership fee for those just wishing to submit cards for grading, you pay an amount per card based on the desired service level. There is, however, a substantial fee in order to optionally become a GAI Premier Member.
So, who's the leader of this group? It's a close call between PSA and BGS.
