Ask ten collectors whether you should grade a card, coin, or comic and you'll get eleven opinions. That argument got louder this year. On June 2, 2026, PSA paused new submissions to its four Value tiers (Value Bulk, Value, Value Plus and Value Max) to work through a backlog that was approaching 10 million cards. As of PSA's October 20 update, the backlog was down to 7.2 million, and the Value tiers were still paused. PSA's cheapest open tier is now Standard, posted at $59.99 per card with an estimated 90–100 business days.
That changes the math for a lot of people sitting on a shoebox of raw cards. So let's have the debate properly. Here are both sides, argued as fairly as we can, and then where we land at Choice Custom Collections.
The case for grading
1. A slab settles the argument before it starts
A graded item has an independent opinion on authenticity and condition attached to it. A buyer three states away doesn't have to trust your photos, your lighting, or your word. For cards that means PSA, CGC, SGC or Beckett. For coins it means PCGS or NGC, and for comics it means CGC or CBCS. A recognized label makes a sale easier between strangers.
2. Authentication matters more than ever
Grading starts with authentication. Graders check for trimming, recoloring, counterfeits and restoration before they assign a number. In categories where fakes and doctoring are a real problem, that first step is worth paying for on its own.
3. Protection and storage
A sealed holder protects the item from fingerprints, corner dings, and the slow damage of being handled at every show. If you plan to keep something for decades, that's worth something.
4. Liquidity at the high end
For key items, like a star's rookie, a key-date coin, or a first appearance, many buyers only shop graded. Leaving a high-end piece raw can shrink your pool of buyers.
The case for staying raw
1. The fee has to earn its keep
Grading isn't free, and the cheapest PSA option costs more than it did a year ago. Add shipping both ways, insurance, and months of waiting, and a lot of cards cost more to grade than the grade adds. If a card isn't likely to come back at a top grade, the slab can be worth less to you than the money you spent.
2. Time is a cost too
A 90–100 business-day estimate means about four to five months with your card out of your hands. Prices can move a lot in that window, especially for modern players and new sets. Raw cards can be sold, traded, or enjoyed today.
3. Raw is where the hunting happens
Plenty of collectors love raw. They like judging condition themselves, building sets without paying a slab fee on every card, and finding underrated copies. Some of the best buys at shows are raw items that the seller didn't take time to evaluate.
4. The grade is still an opinion
Two copies with the same number can look very different, and crossover and regrade attempts exist for a reason. Experienced collectors buy the item, not the label, and a slab doesn't replace your own eye.
It's not the same answer for every category
Trading cards: This is where the debate is hottest. Modern cards in particular are often worth grading only if they're a real contender for the top grade and the player or Pokémon has steady demand. Common base cards rarely justify the fee.
Coins: Bullion and common circulated coins usually trade on metal value, so grading rarely makes sense. Key dates, high-grade examples, and anything that's commonly counterfeited are a different story, because authentication protects both buyer and seller. Never clean a coin before submitting it.
Comics: True keys and high-grade books are where grading pays off, and the label also tells buyers if a book is restored. Readers, common back issues, and most modern variants are usually happier in a bag and board.
Autographs: This one is less of a debate. For signatures, third-party authentication from PSA/DNA, JSA or Beckett is the baseline we require. A seller-issued "COA" isn't the same thing.
A quick test before you submit
Before you pay to grade anything, answer these four questions honestly:
- Is it authentic, and could it plausibly come back at a high grade? Check centering, corners, edges and surface under good light (or strike, luster and surfaces for coins).
- What do graded copies actually sell for vs. raw? Look at sold prices, not asking prices, and compare the grade you expect, not the best case.
- Does the difference beat the total cost? Count the grading fee, shipping both ways, insurance and selling fees.
- Can you live with the wait? If the market for this player, set or book is volatile, months matter.
If the answer to #3 is "barely," keep it raw, or hold it until cheaper tiers return.
Where we land
At Choice Custom Collections, we're not anti-grading or pro-grading. We're pro-math.
- Grade items where authentication and a likely high grade add clear value: key-date coins, true comic keys, strong copies of in-demand rookies, and anything where fakes are common.
- Stay raw with set builders, readers, bulk, and anything where the fee would eat the upside, especially while PSA's lower-cost tiers are paused.
- Autographs are the exception: certified by PSA/DNA, JSA or Beckett, or we don't sell them.
Whatever you buy, verify the cert yourself by typing the grader's website into your browser. Don't trust a QR code or link from a seller. We list cert numbers on our certified pieces for exactly that reason.
Not sure which pile your collection belongs in?
That's the conversation we have with collectors every week.
- Wondering what your collection is worth, or whether any of it is worth grading? Start a consignment or appraisal inquiry at Consign & Appraise. We'll look at what you have and talk it through honestly, collector to collector.
- Want a collection built around what you love, raw, graded, or both? That's what our Custom Collections service is for. We hand-pick each piece to fit your goals and budget.
Now it's your turn: are you Team Raw or Team Slab in 2026? Tell us on our socials, or check our Contact page for the South Florida shows we're planning around.
Your Choice. Your Collection.
Choice Custom Collections LLC: hand-picked coins, cards, comics & autographs, verified.