August Grading Numbers

[parkplace33]

From Gem Rate

August 2025 - Grading Recap
Overall grading activity was ⬇1% in August compared to July and ⬆27% YoY.

Grading activity totaled 2.28 million cards in August, down ~20k compared to July.

PSA graded 1.66m cards - ⬇1% vs July, ⬆19% YoY.

CGC graded 438k cards - ⬆10% vs July, ⬆156% YoY.

SGC graded 118k cards - ⬇23% vs July, ⬇29% YoY.

Beckett graded 64k cards - ⬇14% vs July, ⬇1% YoY.


There were 21 business days in Aug ’25, 22 business days in Jul ’25, & 22 business days in Aug ’24. On a per business day basis, PSA was ⬆4% in August vs July, CGC ⬆15%, SGC ⬇19%, and Beckett ⬇10%.

What's Next for PSA?
August results looked very similar to July nearly across the board. We wouldn't be surprised to see PSA approach the 1.8 million cards mark over the next few months.

What's Next for SGC?
As expected, SGC’s momentum began to dwindle in August. The month marked SGC’s lowest results since September 2023, and further declines are likely as the year closes.

What's Next for CGC?
TCG grading continues to thrive, fueling CGC’s momentum. In August, TCG submissions reached an all-time high at CGC.

What's Next for Beckett?
Beckett results dipped a bit following a strong July. That said, they were the third highest of the year and suggest Beckett may be able to build off its recent momentum.

[BioCRN]

What is Beckett's market? Is there a specific corner of the card world that's using them? People chasing black labels?

They seem to be such an afterthought in the baseball card community, but they still grade 10s of thousands.

[OhioLawyerF5]

Originally Posted by BioCRN

What is Beckett's market? Is there a specific corner of the card world that's using them? People chasing black labels?

They seem to be such an afterthought in the baseball card community, but they still grade 10s of thousands.

They are still relatively popular in basketball cards.

[BioCRN]

Originally Posted by OhioLawyerF5

They are still relatively popular in basketball cards.

Thanks. I'm not in that realm, but have been curious what corner of the collectables market still uses them in the 1000s.

[Brent G.]

Originally Posted by parkplace33

From Gem Rate

August 2025 - Grading Recap
Overall grading activity was ⬇1% in August compared to July and ⬆27% YoY.

Grading activity totaled 2.28 million cards in August, down ~20k compared to July.

PSA graded 1.66m cards - ⬇1% vs July, ⬆19% YoY.

CGC graded 438k cards - ⬆10% vs July, ⬆156% YoY.

SGC graded 118k cards - ⬇23% vs July, ⬇29% YoY.

Beckett graded 64k cards - ⬇14% vs July, ⬇1% YoY.


There were 21 business days in Aug ’25, 22 business days in Jul ’25, & 22 business days in Aug ’24. On a per business day basis, PSA was ⬆4% in August vs July, CGC ⬆15%, SGC ⬇19%, and Beckett ⬇10%.

What's Next for PSA?
August results looked very similar to July nearly across the board. We wouldn't be surprised to see PSA approach the 1.8 million cards mark over the next few months.

What's Next for SGC?
As expected, SGC’s momentum began to dwindle in August. The month marked SGC’s lowest results since September 2023, and further declines are likely as the year closes.

What's Next for CGC?
TCG grading continues to thrive, fueling CGC’s momentum. In August, TCG submissions reached an all-time high at CGC.

What's Next for Beckett?
Beckett results dipped a bit following a strong July. That said, they were the third highest of the year and suggest Beckett may be able to build off its recent momentum.

Collectors' apparent strategy of starving the SGC brand appears to be working.

[sb1]

SGC has quit coming to the shows of late. I do not see them on the list for Dallas Card show this weekend, again... They were going to several shows a month and getting in person submissions by the thousands, that is where the big loss of submissions is probably occurring.

[RayBShotz]

The CGC number seems most notable to me.
Gaining a foothold?

[Johnny630]

Originally Posted by sb1

SGC has quit coming to the shows of late. I do not see them on the list for Dallas Card show this weekend, again... They were going to several shows a month and getting in person submissions by the thousands, that is where the big loss of submissions is probably occurring.

I heard SGC was busy at the National with Submissions.

[sb1]

I heard the opposite, pretty thin crowd around their booth. I am sure it varied from time to time.

They were showing up at Dallas, Chantilly and a few other shows each and every time, they stopped that prior to the National. Was told it was in prep for the National, but now they don't appear to be coming to Dallas, so not sure.

[OhioLawyerF5]

Originally Posted by BioCRN

Thanks. I'm not in that realm, but have been curious what corner of the collectables market still uses them in the 1000s.

I think it's mostly to do with the popularity of RPAs (rookie patch autos) in basketball. Beckett seems to be preferred with thicker cards like that, so basketball collectors have been slower to cast off Beckett, given how many of the top basketball cards out there are in their slabs. I think BGS will continue to decline (without intervention), but just at a slower rate in basketball than other sports.

[Fred]

Originally Posted by sb1

SGC has quit coming to the shows of late. I do not see them on the list for Dallas Card show this weekend, again... They were going to several shows a month and getting in person submissions by the thousands, that is where the big loss of submissions is probably occurring.

That's a reason I used CGC for a recent submission. I could drop the cards off at a show and not worry about the "ship to" part of the transaction. When you think about it, that's a huge part of the process and one less thing to worry about. I'd have used SGC (or even PSA, they're now the same, I get it) if they took submissions at a show I attended.

[Brent G.]

Originally Posted by Fred

That's a reason I used CGC for a recent submission. I could drop the cards off at a show and not worry about the "ship to" part of the transaction. When you think about it, that's a huge part of the process and one less thing to worry about. I'd have used SGC (or even PSA, they're now the same, I get it) if they took submissions at a show I attended.

My CGC service at the National was flawless — dropped off Wednesday, got the pickup message on Friday, really great slabs.

[jimmer77]

FWIW, My last 2 CGC subs were back to me within 8 days of being received at their location.

[Andrew1975]

Originally Posted by sb1

SGC has quit coming to the shows of late. I do not see them on the list for Dallas Card show this weekend, again... They were going to several shows a month and getting in person submissions by the thousands, that is where the big loss of submissions is probably occurring.

I posted a short YouTube video discussing the National and mentioned that I had spoken with one of the SGC reps at the show, who said they didn't know if SGC would be setting up at shows in the future. Someone posted the following comment on my video:

I recently contacted SGC and received this reply: "Thank you for reaching out. Unfortunately, SGC no longer plans to be in attendance at card shows going forward, which includes the upcoming Chantilly Card Show. All orders must be placed online and shipped to our facility for processing. I do apologize for the inconvenience this may cause."

[sb1]

So confirmed.

This will/has already greatly reduced their intake. Many people really like the convenience and safety of dropping off in person. I had to mail my last two subs after they no showed in Dallas in July.

I am also exploring the CGC route as are many other vintage collectors that I spoke to at the National.

[BobbyStrawberry]

So is SGC being slowly killed off? Is that the strategy?

[Johnny630]

Originally Posted by BobbyStrawberry

So is SGC being slowly killed off? Is that the strategy?

Too many guys have big cards in big holders, I don’t think it’s being killed off. Unless they work out some kind of deal to cross them at the same grade I don’t think the SGC slab is ever going away.

[parkplace33]

Originally Posted by Johnny630

Too many guys have big cards in big holders, I don’t think it’s being killed off. Unless they work out some kind of deal to cross them at the same grade I don’t think the SGC slab is ever going away.

Johnny, I’m not so sure. You would think so… unless those big money cards are already being moved into PSA holders

[Johnny630]

Originally Posted by parkplace33

Johnny, I’m not so sure. You would think so… unless those big money cards are already being moved into PSA holders

They could be, but we know how this industry works… A lot of backdoor things happen sometimes for the right people with the right money and the right cards.

[Leon]

Yeap, that was news to me...not that I keep track a lot.

Originally Posted by Andrew1975

I posted a short YouTube video discussing the National and mentioned that I had spoken with one of the SGC reps at the show, who said they didn't know if SGC would be setting up at shows in the future. Someone posted the following comment on my video:

I recently contacted SGC and received this reply: "Thank you for reaching out. Unfortunately, SGC no longer plans to be in attendance at card shows going forward, which includes the upcoming Chantilly Card Show. All orders must be placed online and shipped to our facility for processing. I do apologize for the inconvenience this may cause."

[Brian Van Horn]

2.28 million cards graded in August and that was down. That is simply too much to be consistently accurate.

[Lorewalker]

Originally Posted by BobbyStrawberry

So is SGC being slowly killed off? Is that the strategy?

Pretty much. If you listen to the recent Ryan Hoge (Pres of PSA) interviews and listen between the lines, it is clear Collectors will not be doing much to support the company. Not sure management at Collectors is too concerned with hobbyists who have big cards in SGC holders and in their defense, not sure they should.

[parkplace33]

Definitely getting boutique now…

[raulus]

Originally Posted by parkplace33

Definitely getting boutique now…

Nobody puts baby in a corner!!

[Leon]

Originally Posted by Lorewalker

Pretty much. If you listen to the recent Ryan Hoge (Pres of PSA) interviews and listen between the lines, it is clear Collectors will not be doing much to support the company. Not sure management at Collectors is too concerned with hobbyists who have big cards in SGC holders and in their defense, not sure they should.

Whatever will make them the most money is what they will do. They are a for-profit business.
.

[Yoda]

I keep thinking about the SGC9.5 '52 Topps Mantle which looks great in the black holder. I hope the owner never has the inclination, or feels forced to, switch it to a PSA slab.

[Johnny630]

Originally Posted by Yoda

I keep thinking about the SGC9.5 '52 Topps Mantle which looks great in the black holder. I hope the owner never has the inclination, or feels forced to, switch it to a PSA slab.

Cards like that and the Highest Selling T206 Wagner are why SGC slabs will never go away or become less valuable.

[parkplace33]

Originally Posted by Yoda

I keep thinking about the SGC9.5 '52 Topps Mantle which looks great in the black holder. I hope the owner never has the inclination, or feels forced to, switch it to a PSA slab.

My thought is no, as PSA doesn't have the equivalent of that grade.

But you never know.....

[parkplace33]

Very interested to see September numbers now

[perezfan]

SGC's -17% is not an indicator of peoples' preferences. It is a contrived number, brought about by the desire and actions of Collectors (the company) to reduce SGC's presence. Collectors (the company) does not care at all about collectors (the public). They care about revenue and profits.

Collectors has halted SGC's presence at virtually all card shows with the exception of the National... in which they placed SGC at the back corner of the room. I know many people who would submit to SGC at card shows in order to mitigate the chances of cards being lost or damaged in the mail, and eliminate the cost of shipping/insuring them.

Even at the Pokemon-centric Front Row Card Shows here in the PNW (which feature 90% modern cards), the lines for SGC submission were very long. Now they are all gone, thanks to a corporate monopoly who despises and bites the hand that feeds them.

[Swadewade51]

Originally Posted by perezfan

SGC's -17% is not an indicator of peoples' preferences. It is a contrived number, brought about by the desire and actions of Collectors (the company) to reduce SGC's presence. Collectors (the company) does not care at all about collectors (the public). They care about revenue and profits.

Collectors has halted SGC's presence at virtually all card shows with the exception of the National... in which they placed SGC at the back corner of the room. I know many people who would submit to SGC at card shows in order to mitigate the chances of cards being lost or damaged in the mail, and eliminate the cost of shipping/insuring them.

Even at the Pokemon-centric Front Row Card Shows here in the PNW (which feature 90% modern cards), the lines for SGC submission were very long. Now they are all gone, thanks to a corporate monopoly who despises and bites the hand that feeds them.

+1

[Yoda]

Originally Posted by parkplace33

My thought is no, as PSA doesn't have the equivalent of that grade.

But you never know.....

I wonder when we will see that gorgeous card in a PSA10 holder

[aconte]

Originally Posted by perezfan

SGC's -17% is not an indicator of peoples' preferences. It is a contrived number, brought about by the desire and actions of Collectors (the company) to reduce SGC's presence. Collectors (the company) does not care at all about collectors (the public). They care about revenue and profits.

Collectors has halted SGC's presence at virtually all card shows with the exception of the National... in which they placed SGC at the back corner of the room. I know many people who would submit to SGC at card shows in order to mitigate the chances of cards being lost or damaged in the mail, and eliminate the cost of shipping/insuring them.

Even at the Pokemon-centric Front Row Card Shows here in the PNW (which feature 90% modern cards), the lines for SGC submission were very long. Now they are all gone, thanks to a corporate monopoly who despises and bites the hand that feeds them.

Yep!

Sucks too as I just had to mail a reholder order in which I would have loved
to submit at the Philly Show like the old days.