Grading

Slab

A slab is the sealed, tamper-evident plastic holder a graded card is encased in. The label on the slab shows the company, the grade, and a unique certification number.

When a card is graded, it is sonically sealed inside a hard plastic case, the slab, with a label listing the grader, the card, the grade, and a cert number you can verify online. The slab protects the card and proves the grade has not been altered.

"Cracking a slab" means breaking the case to remove the card, usually to resubmit it hoping for a higher grade.

Why it matters: the slab is what makes a grade trustworthy and a graded card easy to store, display, and sell, since buyers can confirm the card and grade from the label.

This glossary is a plain-language reference for collectors, not financial or purchasing advice. Card values move, so always check recent sales before you buy or sell.

Related terms

Card gradingGrading is sending a card to a company that authenticates it and assigns a condition grade, usually 1 to 10, then seals it in a protective holder called a slab.Raw cardA raw card is one that has not been professionally graded or slabbed. Most cards are raw, and whether to grade them depends on their condition and value.PSAPSA (Professional Sports Authenticator) is the most popular card grading company. It uses a 1 to 10 scale where PSA 10 is Gem Mint, and its slabs are the most widely recognized.BGS (Beckett)BGS (Beckett Grading Services) grades on a 1 to 10 scale with half points and four subgrades. A BGS 9.5 is Gem Mint, and a BGS 10 with four perfect subgrades earns the Black Label.