Find out why it's worth getting your comic books, magazines, TCGs, sports cards, video games, VHS tapes, DVDs and other pop culture collectibles graded by CGC.
Who you trust with your collectibles is a big decision. More than any other grading service for pop culture collectibles, CGC has proven expertise, longevity and strict procedures to ensure impartiality, accuracy and consistency. To submit your collectibles to CGC for grading, all you need is a free account, or choose a paid membership to save on grading and comic book pressing services. Join now!
CGC listens to fans, keeps up with trends and cares about what's important to collectors. The company and its services are top notch.
— Amaya Brothers Comics
That depends! Grading is a great way to ensure the authenticity of a collectible, increase its value and protect the item for long-term safekeeping. Your personal goals will determine whether any individual collectible warrants grading and encapsulation, as will the item's condition, age, rarity, significance and desirability in the marketplace (if you plan to sell).
You'll need to do your research to understand how rare — and therefore how valuable — your collectible really is. The CGC Census of comics and the CGC Cards Population Report are great resources to help you with this, as are the CGC Comics Registry and the CGC Cards Registry.
No. CGC is an impartial third-party grading company and does not provide an appraisal or evaluation of a collectible's worth.
Dealers who buy and sell collectibles like yours can help you determine your collectible’s value. Find a CGC Comics Authorized Dealer or a CGC Cards Authorized Dealer near you.
Rare collectibles and collectibles with high grades frequently sell for more money than ungraded collectibles.
You can either submit through a CGC Authorized Dealer or submit directly as a CGC member. All it takes is a free account to submit to CGC, and paid memberships with benefits start at just $25 a year. With an Associate or Premium membership, you'll get 10% off grading and comic book pressing; with an Elite membership, you'll get 20% off grading and comic book pressing. Plus, Premium and Elite memberships come with a $150 same-as-cash credit. Join now!
CGC adheres to a proven, multi-step grading process to ensure accuracy, consistency and integrity. The steps include receiving, verification, authentication, grading, encapsulation, quality control, and packaging and shipping. Learn more about the CGC Comics grading process and the CGC Cards grading process.
Professional grading requires a trained eye, extensive knowledge and access to the best technology and information. Passion and commitment to bettering the collectibles industry are also essential. CGC employs more than 40 full-time graders who have hundreds of years of combined experience and expertise. CGC graders have access to specialized equipment and the latest research.
Guarantees help to protect collectors, dealers and investors. CGC backs each collectible that it certifies with the comprehensive CGC Guarantee, which is the strongest in the industry.
For information on becoming a CGC Authorized Dealer, please email CGC Customer Service at Service@CGCcomics.com or call or text (+1) 855-GRADE10 (855-472-3310).
An important benefit of collectibles grading is confidence. Because the grading process includes authentication, an expert evaluation of condition and encapsulation in a tamper-proof holder, you’ll know without a doubt that a graded collectible is the exact item you think it is — not a fake and not deceptively altered.
After grading, each collectible and a label with its description, grade and unique certification number are encapsulated in a crystal-clear holder that provides superior long-term protection from damage, counterfeiting and tampering. The benefits of encapsulation alone are reason to grade — especially if you plan to transport your collectibles. The holder preserves your collectible for generations of enjoyment and allows for easy storage and display.
A savvy collector can see a significant return on investment from grading collectibles. Sales at auction and transactions on eBay and other sites all show that graded collectibles sell for more than ungraded collectibles because collectors, dealers and retailers trust and value the grading process. Grading companies also provide additional services, such as comic book pressing, which can correct some minor flaws so that a collectible receives a higher grade and therefore a potentially higher price.
