Grading

Subgrades

Subgrades are the individual 1 to 10 scores a grader gives for a card's centering, corners, edges, and surface. Beckett (BGS) prints subgrades alongside the overall grade.

Rather than a single number, BGS breaks a grade into four component scores, one each for centering, corners, edges, and surface. The overall grade is based on these, with the lowest categories weighing heaviest.

A card can earn the same overall grade with very different subgrades, which tells you where its weaknesses are.

Why it matters: subgrades add transparency and can affect price. Four 10 subgrades earn a Black Label 10, and strong subgrades on a 9.5 can make one card more desirable than another with the same overall grade.

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

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.Black LabelA Black Label is a BGS 10 (Pristine) where all four subgrades are also a perfect 10. It is the hardest grade to earn and the most valuable BGS designation.CenteringCentering is how evenly a card's image sits within its borders, measured as a ratio like 60/40. Poor centering, or being off-center, is one of the most common reasons a card grades low.SurfaceSurface refers to the condition of a card's front and back finish: scratches, scuffs, print defects, and gloss. It is one of the four areas graders assess.Gem MintGem Mint is the top everyday condition grade, a PSA 10 or a BGS 9.5. It means a card is essentially flawless to the naked eye, with sharp corners and clean surfaces.