The world of card grading experienced a whirlwind of activity in February, with over 1.6 million cards making their way through the authentication process. This surge marked a significant uptick from the previous year, showcasing a 25% increase in overall grading numbers. While the figures slightly dipped from January, the overall momentum remained robust, hinting at a flourishing market for collectors and investors alike.
Among the sea of graded cards, sports cards took the lead, making up 55.5% of the total submissions. The enduring popularity of sports cards was evident, with baseball cards in particular claiming the lion’s share of the grading spotlight. Leading the charge was the powerhouse grading entity PSA, which processed a staggering 1.24 million cards, with baseball cards accounting for over 293,000 of these submissions.
Two athletes stood out amidst the grading frenzy, capturing the attention of collectors and enthusiasts with their rising appeal. Shohei Ohtani, known for his versatility and prowess on the baseball field, saw a whopping 26,800 of his cards graded by PSA in February. The buzz around Ohtani’s move to the Dodgers only added to his grading prominence, cementing his status as a sought-after player in the collector’s market. On the other hand, CJ Stroud, with his standout NFL season, garnered significant interest, with 16,400 of his cards finding their way to the grading table.
While PSA took the lead in grading volume, other grading companies like SGC also experienced a surge in submissions, particularly from the 2023 sports season. Both seasoned veterans and new stars featured prominently in the graded player list at SGC, with the likes of Michael Jordan, Shohei Ohtani, and CJ Stroud attracting substantial attention from collectors. ISA Grading and Beckett Grading also navigated through a considerable number of submissions, with Beckett notably grading the 2023 Topps NOW Connor Bedard rookie sticker as its most popular issue.
This wave of card grading activity paints a vivid picture of the dynamic sports memorabilia market, with emerging talents like Shohei Ohtani and CJ Stroud taking center stage. The growing interest in both modern and vintage sports cards signals a promising future for collectors and investors, fueling excitement and anticipation for what lies ahead in this ever-evolving hobby.
