October Grading Numbers

[parkplace33]

From Gemrate.

Overall grading activity was ⬆ 20% in October compared to September and ⬆ 41% YoY.
Grading activity reached a new high at 2.70 million cards in October (including TAG), up ~450k compared to September and nearly 250k more than the previous high.
PSA graded 1.97m cards - ⬆ 27% vs September, ⬆ 36% YoY.
CGC graded 530k cards - ⬆ 5% vs September, ⬆ 156% YoY.
Beckett graded 93k cards - ⬆ 21% vs September, ⬆ 86% YoY.
TAG graded 51k cards - ⬇ 3% vs September, ⬆ 43% YoY.
SGC graded 50k cards - ⬇ 16% vs September, ⬇ 69% YoY.

What's Next for PSA?

As suggested, PSA volume increased in October; however, the incremental grading volume was even more significant than expected. PSA graded nearly two million cards on the back of incredibly strong TCG activity.
While two million cards may not happen before the year ends, it’s clear that the milestone is well within reach for PSA.

What's Next for SGC?

SGC grading activity declined again in October. Barring any new developments, we continue to expect SGC to stabilize in the range of 30,000-40,000 cards per month in the near future.

What's Next for CGC?

TCG grading continues to grow month over month for CGC, with trends broadly mirroring those seen at PSA. Sports grading remains a bit difficult to read, though baseball activity showed a solid increase in October.

What's Next for Beckett?

October followed the same theme for Beckett, with TCG grading continuing to climb. The company has built consistent momentum this year, and maintaining it through year-end would signal strong footing for 2026.

[refz]

Looks like CGC is the new number 2 in town & probably for good. Beckett will more than likely stay the course as I see a ton of modern and autos being submitted/out there..

SGCs situation is truly sad. A lot of us used them and liked their service including my self. 20 years ago what pulled me in to use them was their very helpful & kind/understanding customer service. Their holders were attractive as well. I thought back then their vintage standards were better than the rest too. I get it’s 2025 and a lot has changed. This is what made me continue using them over the years.

There is not a ton of stuff I want to get graded right now. More or less on card autos. If I had to choose a grader I’m leaning towards CGC as they have JSA attached to the hip now.

[parkplace33]

Originally Posted by refz

Looks like CGC is the new number 2 in town & probably for good. Beckett will more than likely stay the course as I see a ton of modern and autos being submitted/out there..

SGCs situation is truly sad. A lot of us used them and liked their service including my self. 20 years ago what pulled me in to use them was their very helpful & kind/understanding customer service. Their holders were attractive as well. I thought back then their vintage standards were better than the rest too. I get it’s 2025 and a lot has changed. This is what made me continue using them over the years.

There is not a ton of stuff I want to get graded right now. More or less on card autos. If I had to choose a grader I’m leaning towards CGC as they have JSA attached to the hip now.

The big question I have is if SGC can keep SGC die hards from moving to other grading companies. If they can, they remain. If they can't, well.......

[DeanH3]

I’ve felt like we, as a hobby, are playing right into Collectors hands. People are jumping ship on SGC so demand is dropping. Soon, Collectors will be able to say, we tried to keep SGC open but the demand just in any there and they will shut them down completely. If people who like SGC would just keep on using them maybe Collectors would actually keep them as a “Boutique” option. SGC has really always been a “Boutique” grader if you think about it. They’ve always specialized in vintage but dabbled in modern. We are headed down the whole self fulfilled prophecy territory of SGC’s demise to me.

[theshowandme]

[parkplace33]

Originally Posted by DeanH3

I’ve felt like we, as a hobby, are playing right into Collectors hands. People are jumping ship on SGC so demand is dropping. Soon, Collectors will be able to say, we tried to keep SGC open but the demand just in any there and they will shut them down completely. If people who like SGC would just keep on using them maybe Collectors would actually keep them as a “Boutique” option. SGC has really always been a “Boutique” grader if you think about it. They’ve always specialized in vintage but dabbled in modern. We are headed down the whole self fulfilled prophecy territory of SGC’s demise to me.

What's Next for SGC?

SGC grading activity declined again in October. Barring any new developments, we continue to expect SGC to stabilize in the range of 30,000-40,000 cards per month in the near future.

I wonder what would they do if it goes below 30k, lets say 20k or even 10k

[refz]

If they go under, is there a possibility seeing how collectors owns both maybe making an sgc style slab for vintage (black) ??

Or maybe perhaps bigger and better plans ?? (Haha yeah right)

[4815162342]

The overall grading summary makes it look like TAG has surpassed SGC. Most of that is the pokey mans.

[Brent G.]

Originally Posted by parkplace33

The big question I have is if SGC can keep SGC die hards from moving to other grading companies. If they can, they remain. If they can't, well.......

I think it's still the best-looking slab and service for vintage -- I just sent an order today. If they still did autos, I'd do more business with them.

[campyfan39]

This is exactly right IMO, and sad. I have only ever submitted to SGC, and that won't change. All of my collection is raw anyway. I send to SGC if I want something authenticated or am planning to sell it.
I won't ever send a thing to PSA

Originally Posted by DeanH3

I’ve felt like we, as a hobby, are playing right into Collectors hands. People are jumping ship on SGC so demand is dropping. Soon, Collectors will be able to say, we tried to keep SGC open but the demand just in any there and they will shut them down completely. If people who like SGC would just keep on using them maybe Collectors would actually keep them as a “Boutique” option. SGC has really always been a “Boutique” grader if you think about it. They’ve always specialized in vintage but dabbled in modern. We are headed down the whole self fulfilled prophecy territory of SGC’s demise to me.

[ncinin]

When PSA announced that SGC was going to be a boutique brand, I believe Ryan Hoge stated they wanted to bring SGC’s monthly number of cards graded to 2017 levels.

Offhand I can not find what 2017 levels were. Does anyone know or have any idea how many cards per month this be?

[Peter_Spaeth]

Originally Posted by parkplace33

The big question I have is if SGC can keep SGC die hards from moving to other grading companies. If they can, they remain. If they can't, well.......

There is no "they." You talk as though they were some separate entity with some control over their own fate. It is completely up to Nat Turner what happens to them. What will happen to them is what he wants to happen to them.

[perezfan]

Originally Posted by DeanH3

I’ve felt like we, as a hobby, are playing right into Collectors hands. People are jumping ship on SGC so demand is dropping. Soon, Collectors will be able to say, we tried to keep SGC open but the demand just in any there and they will shut them down completely. If people who like SGC would just keep on using them maybe Collectors would actually keep them as a “Boutique” option. SGC has really always been a “Boutique” grader if you think about it. They’ve always specialized in vintage but dabbled in modern. We are headed down the whole self fulfilled prophecy territory of SGC’s demise to me.

We are on the exact same page. I just made this post in another thread...

"Also.... they have removed SGC from all regional card shows. This was the method by which a huge chunk of SGC's customers would submit (to avoid potential damage/loss in shipping). Since they've enacted this wonderful collector-friendly policy, SGC's submissions have plummeted.

They are squelching SGC on purpose, and will soon issue a statement something like.... "Due to dwindling customer demand, Collectors has made the decision to disband SGC, blah blah blah."

They intentionally create the problems, and thereby remove the vintage card collector's only viable option. Not the kind of company I would ever support.

[Peter_Spaeth]

Well Mark, I thought from day one they would view it as inefficient to maintain two brands, so if you're right about what's going on that is not surprising. But I was told by people here who professed to have great business acumen (or inside knowledge) that they would never shut down a profitable company.

[doug.goodman]

I'm a guy who hates grading.

Actual hate.

Capital letters HATE.


There is only one credible grading company that matters on any level.

It is PSA.


Arguing otherwise is like saying Pat Paulsen was a valid vote.

[Beercan collector]

Originally Posted by doug.goodman

I'm a guy who hates grading.

Actual hate.

Capital letters HATE.


There is only one credible grading company that matters on any level.

It is PSA.


Arguing otherwise is like saying Pat Paulsen was a valid vote.

I typically agree with everything you say about TPGs but PSA is credible ?? I’m scared you may be having a stroke

[doug.goodman]

Originally Posted by Beercan collector

I typically agree with everything you say about TPGs but PSA is credible ?? I’m scared you may be having a stroke

It pained me to use that word, but as the kidz say "the market has spoken"

[darwinbulldog]

Originally Posted by doug.goodman

Arguing otherwise is like saying Pat Paulsen was a valid vote.

You kids with your hip references