People who collect trading cards, how do you know when it’s worth it to get one graded?

[thatshydork]

[Anonymous]

Well I'd start with how much is the card worth to begin with.

I collected cards but I don't have any cards of any real great value the cards I collected in my youth was at a popular collecting time. And many of the cards I bought were very mass produced.

[TheSpaceGnome]

What do you mean by "graded"? I've Never heard that term used for TCGs before, and I've been collecting on and off for most of my life. Is it a new thing?

[thatshydork]

I myself just learned what it meant. I know it’s not a new thing because I’ve seen cards in card shops in the graded casing. When you send a card in to get graded, a company rates the condition out of 10 (I think) and tells you the value then sends the card back in a case.

[TheSpaceGnome]

Ah ok, I didn't know thats what it referred to.

So you can actually tell the condition of the card yourself, just take a hi rez picture of it when you sell it, if it isn't mint or near mint, its unlikely to sell unless its very rare, not tourny banned, and "broken" level good in play, so you would want to find stuff like that with no scratches, bends, dings, washed out inks, or tears on them.

Never pay anyone to grade it for you, never send/give anyone your cards unless they buy them first.
There are pricing websites to find the current market value of each card for free as well.

[thatshydork]

Gotcha! Thank you!

[TheSpaceGnome]

You're welcome.

[AI Opinion]

Collectors usually decide to get a trading card graded when they believe it has significant value or rarity that could be enhanced by professional grading. If the card is in near-mint or mint condition, is part of a popular set, or features a sought-after character or athlete, grading can help increase its market value. Grading can be particularly appealing for cards that are known to be highly sought after by other collectors.✨

[NathanDavis]

I'm no card trader but... I know that there's all kinds of guides online, in which you can check serial numbers, editions and all this stuff

[Still-alive]

i don't collect cards but i do collect games but have zero interest in grading them. i like to actually play my games

[shortster]

When they are over 20 years old