Sports card grading?

[JonTheBaller]

Around 10 years ago I heavily collected basketball cards. I kept my most prized in excellent condition, and now I would like to have them graded. What service is recommended for this, how much should I expect to pay (I'm assuming the price per card goes down as the # of cards you have graded goes up), and how much does a card's value increase if it receives a good grade? I know the market is down, but I'm not doing this just to sell, but also for myself.

 

[eber]

Try looking around for information on PSA...I think they're the most respected. I'm pretty sure they have a website with their pricing. The grading is expensive and only worth it for cards that already have a high book value or cards that are really old and hard to find in good condition. The value of graded cards (especially Gem Mint 10) can increase a cards value by a lot. For GM10 cards, 10x or more usually of the normal Beckett type 'mint' graded cards.

 

[kranky]

PSA's site is http://www.psacard.com . They will have all the information there about cost, etc. Cost varies based on how fast you want them graded, but I think the lowest price is $8 per card. You better know if the cards are worth sending in, because otherwise you can waste a ton of money. Check ebay completed auctions to see what certain cards go for.

Better yet, you might get to a card shop and buy a few cheap cards in PSA 8, 9 and 10 to see for yourself what those grades look like.