What is AI Card Grading?
AI card grading uses computer vision and machine learning to analyze card condition instantly. By uploading high-quality photos, our AI system examines centering, corners, edges, and surface condition to provide grades similar to PSA's 1-10 scale.
The technology has been trained on thousands of professionally graded cards, allowing it to identify defects and assess condition with remarkable accuracy - typically matching professional grades 85-90% of the time.
When to Use AI Grading
AI Grading is Perfect For:
- Quick pre-screening before sending to PSA/BGS
- Large collections where speed and cost matter
- Learning tool for new collectors
- Insurance documentation and record keeping
- Cards under $100 where PSA costs don't make sense
When to Use PSA Grading
PSA Grading is Essential For:
- High-value cards ($500+ where authentication matters)
- Investment purposes and resale value
- Vintage cards requiring expert authentication
- Registry submissions and competitive collecting
- Market acceptance for selling/trading
Cost Analysis
The cost difference is dramatic. PSA's Economy service (45-day turnaround) costs $25 per card, while their Express service can run $100+ per card. For a collection of 100 cards, that's $2,500-$10,000+ in grading fees alone.
AI grading at $1-5 per card means you can grade that same 100-card collection for $100-500, getting results instantly instead of waiting months. This makes AI grading perfect for pre-screening which cards are worth the PSA premium.
The Best Strategy: Use Both
Smart collectors use AI grading as their first step. Grade your entire collection with AI to identify the gems, then send only the highest-grade candidates to PSA for official certification and maximum resale value.
Recommended Workflow:
- AI Grade Everything: Get instant condition assessment for your entire collection
- Filter High Grades: Focus on AI grades of 8+ for PSA consideration
- Value Assessment: Send to PSA only if potential value exceeds grading costs
- Keep AI Reports: Use for insurance, records, and selling lower-value cards