Sub-grades

Sub-grades are the individual condition scores assigned to each of the four key attributes evaluated during professional card grading: centering, corners, edges, and surface. Unlike PSA, which provides only a single overall grade, both BGS (Beckett Grading Services) and CGC display these four sub-grades on the label alongside the overall grade. Each sub-grade is scored independently, and the overall grade is calculated as a weighted or averaged combination of these individual scores. For BGS, sub-grades are given in half-point increments (9.0, 9.5, 10.0), and the overall grade can never be more than one half-point increment higher than the lowest sub-grade, ensuring that no single major flaw is masked by the overall score.

Sub-grades provide a level of transparency and detail that many collectors find invaluable. When examining a BGS-graded card, you can immediately see exactly where the card excels and where it has weaknesses. For example, a card graded BGS 9.5 with sub-grades of 10/10/9.5/9.5 (Centering/Surface/Edges/Corners) tells a very different story than one with sub-grades of 9.5/9.5/9.5/9.5. The first card is closer to perfection and may have narrowly missed a BGS 10, while the second had no standout strengths. This granular information helps buyers make more informed decisions and allows sellers to justify premium pricing for cards with strong sub-grade profiles.

For TCG collectors, understanding sub-grades opens up several strategic opportunities. When buying graded cards, look for “strong” examples — cards where the sub-grades include one or more 10s, as these represent higher quality within the same overall grade designation. When considering “crossover” submissions (re-grading a BGS card with PSA), sub-grades help predict the likely outcome: a BGS 9.5 with strong sub-grades has an excellent chance at a PSA 10, while one with a 9.0 sub-grade probably won’t make the cut. Sub-grades also help you understand your own card’s strengths and weaknesses if it falls short of your target grade, guiding your future submissions by teaching you what to look for during pre-screening.