Beckett Grading in DEEP Trouble
Beckett Grading Services (BGS) began grading sports cards in 2001 as an extension of Beckett Media, a company well-known for its sports card price guides and hobby publications. The grading service was established to provide collectors with a trusted and professional way to authenticate, grade, and encapsulate their sports cards.
Key Features of Beckett Grading
- Subgrades:
- BGS introduced the concept of subgrades, providing individual scores for centering, corners, edges, and surface, which are then combined into an overall grade. This added transparency to the grading process.
- Beckett Grading Scale:
- Cards are graded on a 1–10 scale, with 10 being Pristine (essentially flawless) and 9.5 being Gem Mint, a distinction valued by collectors.
- Popularity in the Hobby:
- Beckett quickly gained a reputation for grading modern cards, especially those with chrome or holographic finishes like Topps Chrome or Bowman Chrome cards.
- Beckett Vintage Grading (BVG):
- A division of BGS, BVG, specializes in grading vintage cards, using the same scale but adjusted to the expectations of older card conditions.
BGS Today
- Beckett remains one of the most recognized names in card grading, competing with other major companies like PSA and SGC.
- The BGS slabs, known for their sturdy design and clear labeling, remain popular for modern cards, especially autographed and high-value cards.