[GermanVerman]

First lemme ask what you guys prefer and why. Also how would you compare the two as far as value? for example would a psa 10 be worth as much as a bgs 10 or would you say more like a 9.5? Just curious as I usally stick with bgs but have been debating psa. Thoughts on this would be welcome. Also I know its really a personal choice but just looking for opinions. Thanks.

[petillo64]

I'm sure there are much more knowledgeable people than myself on this topic, but let me give you my understanding of it and I'll learn along with you...

From my understanding a PSA 10 = BGS 9.5... So you basically reduce everything by .5 in comparison... I.e. a PSA 9 would = a BGS 8.5... A BGS 10 is absolutely flawless, or darn near it...

From a buying perspective for modern cards I personally prefer BGS due to extra detail given during the grading and individual ratings of each factor. I've only bought a few recent graded RC's, but it makes more sense to me than just simply throwing out a number without explanation that PSA does... I am unsure if PSA provides more detail if you look up the registry # etc...

All-in-all, having that true 10, exquisite card possibility from BGS gives them the nod IMO... Looking forward to other more educated responses though.

[GermanVerman]

ya I have heard the story of psa grade is a small step below the beckett. just boggles me that a psa 10 is really that much different from a bgs 10. I just would love to know how beckett is that much more stringent of a grader. Both these companies seem to own the market on grading over others.

[cross4444]

In my experience if PSA doesn't have a reason to knock a grade down, then they don't. If the card looks like a perfect 10, then that's what it gets from PSA. BGS will look for a problem on a molecular level just to avoid giving out 10's.

That's not a slight against either company, but since there's virtually no difference between a 10 and a 9.5 I'd go with PSA.

[ricelynnevans75]

Keep in mind to look at what grade the number is designated as. A PSA 10 and a BGS 10 are two completely different grades. PSA 10=Gem Mint while BGS 10=Pristine. PSA 10 and BGS 9.5 are both designated as Gem Mint.

Then you have both BGS 9 and PSA 9 being mint, BGS 8 and PSA 8 being NM/MT, BGS 7 and PSA 7 being NM, etc etc etc. There are also half point grades mixed in as well (5.5, 6.5, etc).

[johnxgodfree]

can we get some kinda stickied thread for this question? "what are the +/- of grading with BGS, PSA, SGC" "would you grade with anyone else?" "why would you grade with one rather than another"?"

the question pops up at least a few times monthly and I feel like if there was one thread for discussing that sort of thing with a nice collection of a couple peoples in depth responses - perhaps it would be useful? I imagine with beckett having a hand and being a player in the grading game they wouldn't want to have something like that stickied - but man it pops up a lot!

to answer: depends on what you are grading case by case with different cards / different ERAs and with different intents as to why you are grading would factor into the choice I'd make personally.... overall for modern cards I prefer BGS myself because I think the slabs simply look a lot nicer than PSA. pre-war vintage SGC all the way. and as for vintage - I like PSA although once again depends on the card/set/etc

same with rarer 90s inserts - depends on the card/player/set

[chasescardcave]

A good thing to keep in mind, PSA=80% vintage, BGS=99% modern

[DavidLanceRoten]

My understanding is BGS 9.5 = PSA 10. BGS Pristine 10's are few and far between and like a poster above said BGS searches on the molecular level for a defect to avoid handing out a 10.
As for the companies, I like both and SGC also. They all 3 grade well at times not all the time. They all 3 make mistakes but not all the time. Difference between the 3 grading is on the molecular level and hard to see :-)

[GermanVerman]

appreciate the feedback guys and yes I too think it should be stickied.

[johnxgodfree]

I'm not sure what to search for offhand to give the best results but if you search this forum for grading PSA BGS and skim through a few titles you will probably find some good information posted up also. this question comes up fairly regularly and I know I've seen/read some pretty good advice.

but yeah! a lot of it is personal preference and what you intend to do with the cards/get from the grading. between those three companies (PSA/BGS/SGC) you really can't go "wrong" any better or worse with one from the other. depending on the era of the card though - a lot of people do prefer different ones over others then.