PSA commands the highest market premiums for vintage and modern cards. BGS leads in pristine modern cards (Black Label 10s). CGC grew rapidly post-2022 with strict standards. SGC excels at vintage cards (especially T206 era). Choose based on what you grade — vintage favors PSA/SGC, modern favors PSA/BGS.

PSA service tiers (as of 2026): Bulk ~65 days ($25/card with $200 declared value cap); Value ~45 days ($40); Value Plus ~20 days ($75); Regular ~10 days ($150); Express ~5 days ($300); Super Express ~3 days ($600); Walk-Through ~2 days ($1,500).

The PSA Population Report shows the total number of cards graded by PSA at each grade tier for each specific card. Lower populations correlate with higher market values. Pop Reports update daily and are publicly searchable at psacard.com/pop.

Grade if: the raw card sells for 3x+ the grading fee + risk premium; you have a high-confidence Mint copy of a tracked card; you plan to sell or display long-term. Don’t grade if: the card has minor flaws likely to drop grade below 8; market for the card is too thin to recover grading cost.