The month of February proved to be a bustling period for the trading card grading industry, with a significant surge in activity as over 1.6 million cards were authenticated. This figure represented a remarkable 25% increase compared to the same time frame last year, showcasing the enduring popularity of sports cards and Trading Card Games (TCG) within the collector’s market.
While the overall volume of graded cards slightly decreased compared to January, the division between sports cards and TCG cards saw a clear preference, with sports cards making up 55.5% of the total submissions. Among the grading entities, PSA stood out as the leader, processing a whopping 1.24 million cards in February. Within the realm of sports cards, baseball cards took the lead with over 293,000 cards graded in various categories.
Two standout athletes, Shohei Ohtani and CJ Stroud, captured the spotlight in the grading landscape during February. Both Ohtani and Stroud garnered immense popularity, with collectors and investors eager to have their cards authenticated. Ohtani’s move to the Dodgers and Stroud’s impressive NFL season propelled their cards to the top of the submission lists. PSA, in particular, handled a significant number of cards for these two athletes, grading 26,800 cards for Ohtani and 16,400 for Stroud in the month alone.
The grading fever extended beyond PSA, as other notable grading companies like SGC also experienced a surge in submissions, especially from the 2023 sports season. The player roster at SGC boasted a mix of legendary figures like Michael Jordan alongside emerging stars like Ohtani and Stroud, underlining the diverse appeal of graded sports cards. Additionally, ISA Grading and Beckett Grading were not far behind, processing a considerable number of submissions during the active month. Beckett notably highlighted the 2023 Topps NOW Connor Bedard rookie sticker as its most submitted issue, indicating a strong interest in new card releases.
This flourishing trend in card grading underscores the dynamic and ever-changing landscape of the sports memorabilia market. As emerging talents like Ohtani and Stroud gain prominence among collectors, the demand for both modern and vintage sports cards continues to skyrocket. The sustained growth in card grading activity paints a promising picture for the hobby, attracting a diverse range of enthusiasts looking to participate in this exciting market.
