November Grading Numbers

parkplace33 · #1 12-02-2025, 07:23 AM

https://www.gemrate.com/november-2025-recap

Overall grading activity was ⬇ 17% in November compared to October and ⬆ 35% YoY.
On a per business day basis, grading activity was ⬆ 1% compared to October.
Grading activity totaled 2.23 million cards in November, down ~470k compared to October.
PSA graded 1.66m cards - ⬇ 16% vs October, ⬆ 31% YoY.
CGC graded 425k cards - ⬇ 20% vs October, ⬆ 95% YoY.
Beckett graded 74k cards - ⬇ 21% vs October, ⬆ 116% YoY.
TAG graded 39k cards - ⬇ 22% vs October, ⬆ 203% YoY.
SGC graded 35k cards - ⬇ 30% vs October, ⬇ 72% YoY.

What's Next for PSA?

If not for fewer business days, PSA's grading volume in November would have looked very similar to October.
That said, PSA continues to manage high demand even as it expands its operations. Turnaround times increased modestly in November, and there are no indications of meaningful holiday specials on the horizon.
With one month remaining in 2025, PSA has made a number of improvements across the collector experience; however, collectors who prioritize pricing and turnaround times may end the year feeling frustrated.
Looking ahead, 2026 is shaping up to be another exercise in threading the needle between continued expansion and maintaining the support of its core base.

What's Next for SGC?

SGC’s grading activity declined more than its peers in November, with vintage baseball representing the bulk of its current volume. This dynamic appears likely to remain in place for the foreseeable future.

What's Next for CGC?

CGC’s sports activity pulled back in November, while TCG momentum remained strong. As we close the year, continued experimentation with promotions and partnerships has helped position CGC with meaningful hobby momentum.

What's Next for Beckett?

Beckett’s momentum remained strong exiting November. However, some nuance is needed when interpreting the results, as a portion of October’s grading activity was reflected in November’s pop report updates. This timing shift means an already strong October was slightly understated and November somewhat overstated.
That said, while 2025 results are encouraging, Beckett will need to further build on this progress to keep momentum moving in the right direction.

Johnny630 · #2 12-02-2025, 07:30 AM

Pokemon Pokemon Pokemon …I wonder as well How many of the items counted are those sent from eBay to PSA for authenticity verification, wonder if that counts to their numbers?

parkplace33 · #3 12-02-2025, 12:30 PM

Can vintage baseball keep SGC going? Only time will tell.

Jay Wolt · #4 12-02-2025, 12:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by parkplace33

Can vintage baseball keep SGC going? Only time will tell.

I have multiple orders in w/ SGC
All are vintage, none are Baseball
There's Boxing, Olympics & a variety of non-sport

Johnny630 · #5 12-02-2025, 01:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by parkplace33

Can vintage baseball keep SGC going? Only time will tell.

I think so...

Mike Eisenbath · #6 12-02-2025, 05:21 PM

There is a finite number of vintage baseball cards still in raw form, and many fewer in the kind of condition worth grading and even fewer in the hands of collectors wanting them graded.

Logic says that SGC might grade fewer cards every year than the previous year if that's the bulk of what they receive.

I don't want that to be true. But CU isn't likely to keep them operating just for us. Especially because they haven't seemed inclined to listen to the requests of our ilk.

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BioCRN · #7 12-02-2025, 06:13 PM

The big concern I have for SGC and vintage is what is their stock of assorted holders and what happens when time thins that stock. Will they go toward more universal holders or some other not-quite-snug fit?

perezfan · #8 12-02-2025, 08:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BioCRN

The big concern I have for SGC and vintage is what is their stock of assorted holders and what happens when time thins that stock. Will they go toward more universal holders or some other not-quite-snug fit?

Very valid concern, right there... If they eventually migrate to PSA's sloppy "crumpled baggie" look, I'll be out for good. I just hope CGC is paying attention!

BoxOfOldCards · #9 Yesterday, 01:02 PM

Interesting, I didnt think of that.
It does seem like vintage is keeping them alive. it will die off at some point. I hope they find a way to get back to their quicker turn around times. that really was a selling feature. I remember getting 2 separate orders done in the time it took PSA to even grade my cards.

Quote:

Originally Posted by BioCRN

The big concern I have for SGC and vintage is what is their stock of assorted holders and what happens when time thins that stock. Will they go toward more universal holders or some other not-quite-snug fit?

ezez420 · #10 Yesterday, 01:24 PM

Another post with no diligence. Do your homework and then post meaningless stats.

Maybe a breakdown of category to give a hint.

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mantleman · #11 Yesterday, 03:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Johnny630

I think so...

I hope so !

Johnny630 · #12 Yesterday, 05:39 PM

SGC cards aren’t selling for any less so who the hell cares especially the ones who deal and collect SGC Cards.

Touch'EmAll · #13 Yesterday, 06:49 PM

I tend to agree the quantity of gradable vintage is ever decreasing. Years ago this was brought up and many folks replied, "there are tons of nice raw still out there..."

Dare I say the number of sorta nice condition and better condition raw Cobb's, Wagner's, Ruth's, Gehrig's, Dimaggio's, Ted Williams' and the like is now miniscule.

Are the pop #'s for nice graded T206 Walter Johnson's & Matty's going to shoot up at any point in the future? I'm guessing we're never going to see pop #'s 20-25% more than what we have now, probably less.

Now, beaters and poor condition cards perhaps.

Johnny630 · #14 Yesterday, 07:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Touch'EmAll

I tend to agree the quantity of gradable vintage is ever decreasing. Years ago this was brought up and many folks replied, "there are tons of nice raw still out there..."

Dare I say the number of sorta nice condition and better condition raw Cobb's, Wagner's, Ruth's, Gehrig's, Dimaggio's, Ted Williams' and the like is now miniscule.

Are the pop #'s for nice graded T206 Walter Johnson's & Matty's going to shoot up at any point in the future? I'm guessing we're never going to see pop #'s 20-25% more than what we have now, probably less.

Now, beaters and poor condition cards perhaps.

I agree with you on probably never going to see pop numbers go up. Especially on higher grade vintage pre war.

Peter_Spaeth · #15 Yesterday, 09:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Touch'EmAll

I tend to agree the quantity of gradable vintage is ever decreasing. Years ago this was brought up and many folks replied, "there are tons of nice raw still out there..."

Dare I say the number of sorta nice condition and better condition raw Cobb's, Wagner's, Ruth's, Gehrig's, Dimaggio's, Ted Williams' and the like is now miniscule.

Are the pop #'s for nice graded T206 Walter Johnson's & Matty's going to shoot up at any point in the future? I'm guessing we're never going to see pop #'s 20-25% more than what we have now, probably less.

Now, beaters and poor condition cards perhaps.

There are still people who claim that there are countless virgin collections out there of unkown old time guys who either don't know about grading or have contempt for it, whose cards eventually will come to market. Hobby mythmaking? Who knows.

parkplace33 · #16 Today, 11:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ezez420

Another post with no diligence. Do your homework and then post meaningless stats.

Maybe a breakdown of category to give a hint.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I provide raw numbers, that is all.

raulus · #17 Today, 11:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by parkplace33

I provide raw numbers, that is all.

I mean…there was some additional analysis in there as well, which wasn’t nothing. Maybe he took exception to some of the bonus analysis?

raulus · #18 Today, 11:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

There are still people who claim that there are countless virgin collections out there of unkown old time guys who either don't know about grading or have contempt for it, whose cards eventually will come to market. Hobby mythmaking? Who knows.

Certainly plenty around here who fall into one of more of those groups.

Hard to imagine these collections will be a basis for a thriving grading business, but perhaps I will be surprised.

Aquarian Sports Cards · #19 Today, 11:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Johnny630

I agree with you on probably never going to see pop numbers go up. Especially on higher grade vintage pre war.

Being on the front lines I vehemently disagree. People overestimate grading's reach into the old-time hobby.

In our pre war auction we grade hundreds of cards each auction, yes a lot aren't anything to write home about, but there's also things like the PSA 7 Cracker Jacks from the last auction.

I have a consignor who has complete raw sets of T201, T202, T205 and T206 and from what I've seen we're looking at an average grade of EX.

There is TONS of nice pre war out there still to be graded. As the boomer generation divests and/or passes I think you'll be stunned at the cards that go to be graded for the first time.

Johnny630 · #20 Today, 12:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aquarian Sports Cards

Being on the front lines I vehemently disagree. People overestimate grading's reach into the old-time hobby.

In our pre war auction we grade hundreds of cards each auction, yes a lot aren't anything to write home about, but there's also things like the PSA 7 Cracker Jacks from the last auction.

I have a consignor who has complete raw sets of T201, T202, T205 and T206 and from what I've seen we're looking at an average grade of EX.

There is TONS of nice pre war out there still to be graded. As the boomer generation divests and/or passes I think you'll be stunned at the cards that go to be graded for the first time.

Cards will be graded but they won't be graded as high grade as before. The goalpost's have changed. Former 6's in pre-war are now 4's at best if not 3's.
Higher end grades in low pops of Hall of Fame Stars in my opinion are being protected.

Aquarian Sports Cards · #21 Today, 12:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Johnny630

Cards will be graded but they won't be graded as high grade as before. The goalpost's have changed. Former 6's in pre-war are now 4's at best if not 3's.
Higher end grades in low pops of Hall of Fame Stars in my opinion are being protected.

Again we just graded 7's on Cracker Jacks. Sure it would've been nice for an 8 or two, but 7's are a killer grade on those sets.

Of course saying the goalposts have moved has nothing to do with the premise that there aren't many pre war ungraded cards left out there which is what I was responding to.

Peter_Spaeth · #22 Today, 01:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aquarian Sports Cards

Being on the front lines I vehemently disagree. People overestimate grading's reach into the old-time hobby.

In our pre war auction we grade hundreds of cards each auction, yes a lot aren't anything to write home about, but there's also things like the PSA 7 Cracker Jacks from the last auction.

I have a consignor who has complete raw sets of T201, T202, T205 and T206 and from what I've seen we're looking at an average grade of EX.

There is TONS of nice pre war out there still to be graded. As the boomer generation divests and/or passes I think you'll be stunned at the cards that go to be graded for the first time.

Just for fun, make an estimate -- what percentage of extant (arbitrarily) EX or better T206 Cobbs has been graded?

BoxOfOldCards · #23 Today, 01:36 PM

For what its worth I was one of those. I bought exclusively vintage and t206 as a kid\teenager with my Dad in the 80s and 90s. In the last year I have sent maybe 150+ cards to be graded now that my kids are getting into it. Highest graded received were two 5s on t206 cards via PSA and a 6 via SGC.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Touch'EmAll

I tend to agree the quantity of gradable vintage is ever decreasing. Years ago this was brought up and many folks replied, "there are tons of nice raw still out there..."

Dare I say the number of sorta nice condition and better condition raw Cobb's, Wagner's, Ruth's, Gehrig's, Dimaggio's, Ted Williams' and the like is now miniscule.

Are the pop #'s for nice graded T206 Walter Johnson's & Matty's going to shoot up at any point in the future? I'm guessing we're never going to see pop #'s 20-25% more than what we have now, probably less.

Now, beaters and poor condition cards perhaps.

Aquarian Sports Cards · #24 Today, 02:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

Just for fun, make an estimate -- what percentage of extant (arbitrarily) EX or better T206 Cobbs has been graded?

Well one point I can't argue with is that the number is ever decreasing. Obviously we contribute to that decline every time we get a legacy collection in and also obviously there are companies seeing more of that than we are.

But, feet to the fire, making up shit for amusement, there are 787 Ty Cobbs (of all variations) PSA graded unqualified 5 or better.

I'm not sure why we're looking only at higher grade numbers since the premise was there's not enough pre war left to grade to make it sustainable for a grading company, yet it makes financial sense to grade ANY Cobb. But, putting that aside, I'd guess there's easily a couple hundred 5 or betters left out there and that's not counting lower grade examples that will be improved to 5 or better even though those cards ARE included in the 787 number. Of course the 787 doesn't account for crack and resubs either.

I'd say we're actually fairly close to only half of the possible EX or better Cobb cards having been graded.

From the aforementioned consignor I will personally be grading 4 Cobb cards in the next year that have a shot at 5 or better, and I know it's a post war example but one that I think is relevant; my little company has graded 3 1952 Mantles. If it's making its way to me, there's a ton of stuff out there.

Peter_Spaeth · #25 Today, 03:22 PM

That Cobb number sounds low to me. There are over 400 Sweet Caporal 5s, according to the pop report, without even considering the ones designated by series. The total Cobbs with all backs and in 5 and up has to be more than double that.

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