The month of February witnessed a whirlwind of activity in the trading card grading world, with an impressive 1.6 million cards validated by the four major grading entities. This figure, although slightly lower than January’s numbers, marked a substantial 25% surge compared to the same period last year. The division between sports cards and Trading Card Games (TCG) such as Pokemon and Magic The Gathering showed a clear preference towards sports cards, making up 55.5% of the total submissions and reaffirming the enduring popularity of this category.
PSA took the lead in card grading volume, processing a whopping 1.24 million cards during the month. Among these, baseball cards reigned supreme, with over 293,000 cards making their way through the authentication process. The spotlight, however, was firmly on two athletes – Shohei Ohtani and CJ Stroud – whose cards commanded a significant presence in the grading statistics. Ohtani’s move to the Dodgers and Stroud’s stellar NFL season propelled their cards to the forefront, with PSA handling a substantial 26,800 cards for Ohtani and 16,400 for Stroud in February alone.
The grading fever wasn’t confined to just PSA, as SGC and other grading companies also reported a surge in submissions, particularly from the 2023 sports season focusing on football and baseball. The ranks of graded players at SGC saw a mix of established legends and up-and-coming stars, with the likes of Michael Jordan, Shohei Ohtani, and CJ Stroud garnering significant attention. Additionally, ISA Grading and Beckett Grading navigated through a sizable influx of submissions, with Beckett notably grading the 2023 Topps NOW Connor Bedard rookie sticker as its most submitted item.
This upswing in card grading activity underscores the dynamic and ever-evolving nature of the sports memorabilia market, with emerging talents like Ohtani and Stroud capturing the hearts of collectors and investors alike. The surge in grading figures indicates a growing interest in both modern and vintage sports cards, painting a promising picture for the future of this hobby. As collectors continue to seek out the next big star or hidden gem, the excitement and anticipation surrounding card grading shows no signs of slowing down.
