FAQs – CGC Grading

Yes! CGC offers services for autograph collectors through CGC x JSA Autograph Authentication and CGC Signature Series. Autograph services will soon be available on CGCgrading.com. For now, access CGC's autograph services on CGCcards.com and CGCcomics.com.

About JSA

JSA was founded in 2005 and today is recognized everywhere as the most esteemed autograph authentication service for all types of collectibles, with a particularly renowned reputation in the sports collecting world. In the last two decades, JSA has certified millions of autographs and, in the process, has built the world’s largest autograph database of nearly 1 million images. JSA uses this extraordinary database alongside deep expertise and state-of-the-art equipment to authenticate unwitnessed autographs, such as:

• Already-autographed comics and cards purchased online or from a retail shop.

• Autographs you obtained at a past event, such as a comic con or sports event.

• Sports cards with pack-pulled autographs.
  

About CGC Signature Series

Established in 2001, CGC Signature Series is the premier source for obtaining witnessed autographs from the world’s most revered creators, celebrities and athletes. Because signatures are witnessed, authenticated and graded by CGC, collectors can trust autographed collectibles with the iconic CGC Signature Series yellow label. CGC Signature Series options include:

• Show Witnessed Signings, which are offered at shows where CGC has a booth and authorized witnesses.

• CGC Facilitator Signings, which are events arranged by CGC Authorized Facilitators.

• CGC Private Signings, a premium service that enables submitters to send their cards directly to CGC, where the CGC Signature Series team handles the entire signing and grading process.

CGC does grade magazine-size comic books. However, CGC does not grade treasury-size comic books as their size exceeds even the largest available CGC holder.

CGC grades virtually all trading card games (TCGs), sports cards and non-sports cards. For more information about the cards we grade, see our Grading Policies.

CGC does not certify counterfeit cards. A counterfeit card is one manufactured by anyone other than the official company that produces it.

Certain cards are deemed not suitable for certification on a case-by-case basis; for example, a card with significant missing pieces or with structural integrity issues.

Yes. CGC grades all languages of cards.

Yes, CGC will grade a card that has a printing error for no additional fee.

As long as a card that CGC accepts is factory cut and can safely fit in a CGC Cards holder, it can be certified.

In order to certify a poly-bagged comic book, CGC will remove it from the poly-bag, and submitting it assumes permission to do so. Customers do not need to remove the poly-bag before submitting.

Please do not send COAs to CGC along with your collectibles. We will not need them and cannot guarantee that they will be returned along with your submission.

In addition to vault storage, CGC uses state-of-the-art security and surveillance equipment, and only the most highly trained professionals who understand the unique handling requirements of collectibles will handle your submission. While at CGC, your collectibles are always fully insured against loss or damage.

As a member of the Certified Collectibles Group, CGC benefits from the other member companies' decades of experience in thorough operations and careful handling of valuable collectibles. With the Certified Collectibles Group companies successfully handling hundreds of thousands of fragile collectibles each month, you can be assured that we have the experience to treat your submission with the respect and proper handling techniques to ensure their safety.

CGC primarily seeks graders who have experience in collecting and grading collectibles. Knowledge of CGC's grading standards and services, counterfeit detection, and market values are considered important aspects of this experience. Newly hired graders are trained on CGC's exclusive grading standards before they become part of the team. If you think you may be a good candidate, view open positions and send us your resume here.

The length of time it takes to get collectibles graded depends on the grading tier you select when the collectibles are submitted. Other factors include whether the submission process was completed properly, whether the submission was packaged correctly, or whether additional research was required. To see current turnaround times, visit the CGC Services & Fees page.