PSA vs BGS (Beckett) · updated October 2026
PSA vs BGS: what the two slabs actually tell you
Short answer
PSA gives one overall grade. Beckett (BGS) scores centering, corners, edges and surface separately and prints all four on the label, with a Black label for perfect 10s. If a repack hands you a slab, the grader matters less than whether the cert checks out on the grader's own site.
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| Measure | PSA | BGS (Beckett) |
|---|---|---|
| What the label shows | One overall grade | Overall grade plus four condition scores |
| Top label | Gem Mint 10 | Black label for perfect 10s; Gold for Gem Mint |
| Published 10 standard | Sharp corners, full gloss, front centering about 55/45 | Four condition scores shown so you can see what held it back |
| Cert check | PSA cert verification page | Beckett graded card lookup |
| Holder | Tamper-evident, not tamper-proof (PSA's words) | Label with holographic and UV security features |
Choose PSA if
- You want one number a buyer reads in a second
- You're comparing sold prices, where a single grade is easier to match
Choose BGS (Beckett) if
- You want to see exactly which condition point capped the grade
- You care about the Black label tier for a perfect card
How each company grades
PSA publishes written standards per grade. For a Gem Mint 10 it asks for four sharp corners, full original gloss and front centering within about 55/45.
Beckett scores four things (centering, corners, edges, surface) and shows each score on the label. That's the main practical difference: a BGS slab tells you why it got its grade.
What this means when a repack sends you a slab
Repack listings often say "PSA or BGS graded" as if the two were interchangeable. They aren't the same label, so compare sold prices for the same grader and the same grade, not a PSA 10 against a BGS 9.5.
Whatever the grader, type the cert number into that grader's own lookup before you trust the slab. A matching number doesn't rule out a fake holder, so check the label and holder too.
What we don't claim
We don't say either grader's slabs sell for more, and we don't rate the graders. Prices change by card, grade and month; check recent sold listings for your exact card.
Keep reading
Sources
- 1.PSA describes a Gem Mint 10 as having four sharp corners, full original gloss and front centering within about 55/45. Grading Standards, PSA · checked November 1, 2026
- 2.PSA runs a certification verification page and warns that a matching number alone does not rule out a counterfeit. Certification verification, PSA · checked November 1, 2026
- 3.PSA says its holder is tamper-evident, not tamper-proof, and gives buyer tips for spotting counterfeits. PSA Security: A Buyer's Guide, PSA · checked November 1, 2026
- 4.Beckett grades centering, corners, edges and surface, shows all four scores on its label, and uses a Black label for perfect 10s and Gold for Gem Mint; its label has holographic and UV security features. Trading Card Grading Services, Beckett · checked November 1, 2026
- 5.Beckett's lookup verifies BGS, BVG and BCCG certificate numbers. Beckett Graded Card Lookup, Beckett · checked November 1, 2026