Grading

Cards We Grade & Policies

CGC Cards grades virtually all trading card games (TCGs), sports cards and non-sports cards.

Currently, CGC Cards accepts cards sized 2-5/8” x 3-3/4” (6.6cm x 9.5cm) or smaller. Cards may be up to 7.25mm thick.

Note:

Cards that are smaller or larger than standard sizes may be automatically placed into a CGC Cards holder with a protective inner sleeve.
Telephone cards may only be submitted to the Shanghai, China, office through select Authorized Dealers.
Certain thick cards that would normally be accepted by CGC Cards may have irregular dimensions and cannot be encapsulated for this reason. In those cases, the cards will be returned unencapsulated ("raw"), and the grading fee will be refunded.

Certain cards are not eligible for CGC Cards certification. See below for a complete list.

CGC Cards Policies

Cards that CGC Cards Does Not Grade

The following are card types that are NOT graded by CGC Cards:

TCGs and Non-sports Cards that CGC Cards Does Not Grade

Square Cut cards from the Wizards of the Coast era without provenance
Pokémon – Funskool
Missing Foil

Sports Cards that CGC Cards Does Not Grade

1947 “Bond Bread” style cards with square corners
All “STAR” Basketball cards (1984-1986)
1984 USA Olympic Basketball “Co-Captain Gold Winning Team” Michael Jordan
1984 United States Basketball Team Michael Jordan
1997-1998 Score Board Blue Ribbon Player Kobe Bryant Auto /300
All years Fleer Masterpiece “One of One” Basketball Cards
2003-04 Campioni Di Futuro #5 LeBron James
2016 Panini Prizm Dak Prescott Rookie Auto (Autopen, every variation)
2016 Panini Prizm Dak Prescott/Devontae Booker Dual Auto/Jersey /99
Missing Foil

Other Items that CGC Cards Does Not Grade

Cards deemed too fragile to encapsulate
Unofficially stamped cards
Fantasy, “Cinderella,” unlicensed or homemade cards
Original type photos and snapshot photos
Newspaper clippings, images cut from publications and other items that were not intended to be sports cards and are not cataloged as sports cards
Cards that are “sheet cut,” or measure larger than the published catalog size
Any card that CGC Cards graders determine to be below measurement tolerance and/or an unnatural waviness of the edges will not receive a numeric grade.
Any card that CGC Cards graders determine to be altered in any form (including artist alterations), counterfeit, replica, cleaned or restored will not receive a numeric grade and will not be encapsulated in a CGC Cards holder.

Pack-pulled Autograph Cards that Must be Submitted for CGC x JSA Certification

JSA autograph authentication is not selected for any of the below card types, CGC will automatically add this service and charge the appropriate authentication and grading fees. This list is subject to change at any point at the discretion of CGC and JSA.

1994 Upper Deck Classic Alumni #298 Alex Rodriguez Auto
1997-1998 Score Board Kobe Bryant Autos
1997-1998 Skybox Premium Autographics Charles Barkley Auto
1998-1999 Skybox Premium Autographics Tim Duncan Auto
1999-2000 Skybox Premium Autographics David Robinson Auto
1996-1997 Skybox Premium Autographics Steve Nash Auto
1996-1997 Skybox Premium Autographs Scottie Pippen autographs
All years McDonalds Autographs
All years (2000-2015) Topps Rookie Premiere/ (03/04 - 08/09) Topps Photo Shoot/ (2006-2007-2010) Topps AFLAC Autographs (Unless serial numbered)
All years (1990-1992) Star Pics Autographs
All years (1991-1997) Pro Line Autographs
All years (1996-1997) Scoreboard/ (1991-1995) Classic/ (1991-1992) Front Row/ (1991-1992) Little Sun Autographs of Shaquille O’Neal/Kobe Bryant/Derek Jeter
All years Upper Deck Buyback Autographs that do not have the original UDA Certificate
1994 Upper Deck Alex Rodriguez, Mickey Mantle, & Ken Griffey Jr. Autographs
1992 Fleer Ultra Career Highlights Reggie White Auto
1994 Signatures Rookies Derek Jeter Mail In Promo Auto /1000
1995 Action Packed 24KT Gold #1D Derek Jeter Auto
1997 & 1998 Bowman’s Best Atomic Refractor Autos
1997 Skybox Batman & Robin Uma Thurman Auto
2001 Upper Deck Legends Football Legends Autograph Set
2001 Fleer Legacy Albert Pujols Autographs
2000 Playoff Contenders Rookie Ticket Tom Brady Autos
2005 Comic Images The Apprentice Donald Trump Auto
2001 Bowman Chrome Albert Pujols Rookie Auto
2001 SPx Albert Pujols Rookie Auto
2001 Fleer Legacy Albert Pujols Rookie Auto
2011 Bowman Prospect Autographs Bryce Harper #BP1
2020 Panini Prizm Autographs #363 Jordan Love Purple Pulsar
1992 Classic Muhammad Ali Auto
2002 The Crocodile Hunter Autographs #A-1 Steve Irwin

No Grade Reasons

Service Unavailable	When a card is either of a size CGC Cards currently does not grade, or is an issue that is obscure, it may be returned as “Service Unavailable.” The submitter is not charged the grading fee.
Below Minimum Grade	If a minimum grade is requested and the card does not meet that grade, the card is returned as “Below Minimum Grade.” The submitter is charged the grading fee.
Questionable Authenticity	If a card appears to be counterfeit, it will be returned as “Questionable Authenticity.” The submitter is charged the grading fee.
Evidence of Tampering/Alteration	There are several reasons why a card can be returned as “Evidence of Tampering/Alteration.” Evidence or appearance of alterations include but are not limited to: trimming, restoration, power erasing, chemical cleaning, pressing and stain removal. The submitter is charged the grading fee.
Evidence of Color Added	When a card’s color has been artificially improved, it will be returned as “Evidence of Color Added.” The submitter is charged the grading fee.

Other CGC Cards Grading Terms and Conditions

CGC Cards graders reserve the right to determine if a card receives a numeric grade, an Authentic designation or Authentic Altered designation.
Cards that are deemed to be hand-cut (strip cards, post cereal cards and other cards not originally cut by the manufacturer, etc.) may receive a numeric grade if the card meets the cataloged and published measurements. If a hand-cut card is found to be below these published measurements, the card can only be encapsulated as Authentic. Whether a hand-cut card receives a numeric grade or not, the designation of “Hand Cut” will appear as an attribute on the label.
Certain collectibles may not be eligible for certification due to the content contained and/or displayed. Read the Certified Collectibles Group Potentially Offensive Materials Policy here.