The card grading scene witnessed a spectacular surge in activity during February, as more than 1.6 million cards went through the authentication process, marking a significant uptick compared to the previous year. While this figure represented a slight drop from January, the overall trend displayed a remarkable 25% increase from the same period in the past year. The division between sports cards and Trading Card Games (TCG) such as Pokemon and Magic The Gathering leaned predominantly towards the former, with sports cards claiming a majority share of 55.5%, reaffirming their enduring popularity among collectors.
Among the major grading entities, PSA stood out by processing a whopping 1.24 million cards, with baseball cards leading the charge at over 293,000 graded cards. The spotlight, however, fell squarely on the dynamic duo of Shohei Ohtani and CJ Stroud, whose cards emerged as some of the most sought-after submissions for grading. Ohtani’s transition to the Dodgers and Stroud’s breakout NFL season undoubtedly played a pivotal role in their soaring popularity, with PSA handling a substantial 26,800 cards for Ohtani and 16,400 cards for Stroud within the month.
The grading frenzy extended beyond PSA, as SGC and other grading firms also experienced a significant influx of modern cards from the 2023 sports season, particularly in football and baseball categories. The roster of graded players at SGC showcased a mix of legendary figures and emerging stars, with luminaries like Michael Jordan, Ohtani, and Stroud garnering considerable attention. Meanwhile, ISA Grading and Beckett Grading were not far behind, navigating through a sizable volume of submissions, with Beckett notably grading the 2023 Topps NOW Connor Bedard rookie sticker as its most submitted item.
This surge in card grading underscores the dynamic and ever-evolving nature of the sports memorabilia market, with rising talents like Ohtani and Stroud capturing the imagination of collectors and investors alike. The burgeoning interest in both modern and vintage sports cards signals a promising future for the hobby, reflecting a vibrant enthusiasm that continues to propel the industry forward.
