CGC (Certified Guaranty Company)

CGC, or Certified Guaranty Company, is a third-party grading service that entered the trading card market in 2020 after establishing itself as the dominant grading authority in the comic book hobby since 2000. CGC Trading Cards grades on a 1-10 scale with half-point increments, and like BGS, provides sub-grades for centering, corners, edges, and surface. The company leveraged its decades of expertise in authentication and encapsulation to quickly carve out a growing share of the TCG grading market. CGC slabs are known for their crystal-clear cases and distinctive labels, and the company has built a reputation for consistency in its grading standards.

CGC gained significant traction during the 2020-2021 trading card boom, when PSA and BGS faced overwhelming submission backlogs and turnaround times stretched to many months. Collectors who needed faster grading services turned to CGC, and many were impressed by the quality and reliability of the grades they received. CGC’s population reports and online verification tools are modern and accessible, making it easy for buyers to confirm the authenticity of graded cards. The company has also been proactive about combating counterfeits, incorporating security features into their labels and holders.

For TCG collectors, CGC represents a strong alternative to PSA and BGS, particularly for modern cards and sets. While CGC-graded cards historically sold at a slight discount compared to PSA or BGS equivalents, this gap has been narrowing as the company’s reputation grows. CGC is an especially attractive option for collectors who appreciate the sub-grade detail similar to BGS but want competitive pricing and turnaround times. As the hobby continues to expand, CGC’s market share and the premiums their grades command are expected to keep climbing.