The thrill of card grading reached new heights in February as the industry buzzed with over 1.6 million cards undergoing authentication. This surge marked a significant 25% increase compared to the same period last year, showcasing the enduring appeal of sports collectibles and Trading Card Games (TCG).
Diving deeper into the numbers, the month featured a breakdown of sports cards and TCG submissions, with sports cards claiming the majority at 55.5%. Among the four principal grading entities, PSA emerged as the frontrunner, processing a whopping 1.24 million cards. Baseball cards stole the spotlight with over 293,000 cards graded, with standout athletes Shohei Ohtani and CJ Stroud leading the charge.
Ohtani, known for his versatility on the field, and Stroud, making waves in the NFL, commanded attention with PSA processing 26,800 and 16,400 of their cards, respectively. Their rising profiles in the sports world translated into a surge in card submissions, reflecting the evolving tastes of collectors and investors.
The grading frenzy extended beyond PSA, with SGC and other grading companies witnessing a surge in modern cards from the 2023 sports season, especially in football and baseball. The graded player roster at SGC featured a mix of legends like Michael Jordan and emerging stars like Ohtani and Stroud, underlining the diverse appeal of sports memorabilia.
Not to be outdone, ISA Grading and Beckett Grading also navigated through a substantial volume of submissions, with Beckett notably grading the 2023 Topps NOW Connor Bedard rookie sticker as a highly sought-after issue. This diverse range of submissions reflects the eclectic tastes of collectors, spanning from vintage gems to contemporary favorites.
The card grading surge in February encapsulates the dynamic and ever-evolving nature of the sports memorabilia market. New talents like Ohtani and Stroud emerge as frontrunners, captivating the interest of collectors and investors looking for the next big thing. The influx of submissions across various grading entities promises an exciting future for the hobby, blending nostalgia with the thrill of discovering new sports icons.
As the figures and trends indicate, the card grading landscape continues to evolve, fueled by a passion for sports, a thirst for collecting, and the timeless allure of preserving athletic legacies in a tangible form. With Ohtani and Stroud leading the charge, the journey of card grading ventures into uncharted territories, where every submission tells a story and every grade holds a value beyond measure.
