PSA vs CGC · updated October 2026
PSA vs CGC: how the grades and labels differ
Short answer
Both grade on a 1 to 10 scale, but their tens aren't the same label. CGC splits its top grade into Pristine 10 (flawless under 10x magnification) and Gem Mint 10. PSA has one Gem Mint 10. Compare prices only within the same grader and grade.
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| Measure | PSA | CGC |
|---|---|---|
| Top grade | Gem Mint 10 | Pristine 10, then Gem Mint 10 |
| What a 10 requires | Sharp corners, full gloss, front centering about 55/45 | Pristine: flawless under 10x magnification |
| Cert check | PSA cert verification page | CGC Cards cert lookup |
| Holder | Tamper-evident, not tamper-proof (PSA's words) | Check the cert and label against CGC's lookup |
Choose PSA if
- You want the grade most sold-price searches are listed under
- You're matching a repack slab to recent PSA sales
Choose CGC if
- You want the extra Pristine tier above a standard 10
- You collect cards CGC grades and want to read its labels correctly
Why two 10s aren't the same 10
CGC's grading scale has two labels at the top. Pristine 10 is for cards flawless under 10x magnification. A Gem Mint 10 earned a 10 overall but missed Pristine on one point.
PSA's written standard for its Gem Mint 10 asks for four sharp corners, full gloss and front centering within about 55/45.
What to do with a repack slab
Look up the cert on the grader's own site, then search sold listings for that same card, grader and grade. A listing that compares a CGC grade to a PSA price is mixing two different labels.
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.CGC reserves its Pristine 10 label for cards flawless under 10x magnification; a Gem Mint 10 misses Pristine on one criterion. Grading Scale, CGC Cards · checked November 1, 2026
- 5.CGC Cards provides a certification lookup for cards it has graded. Cert lookup, CGC Cards · checked November 1, 2026