The month of February saw a whirlwind of activity in the trading card grading scene, with a staggering 1.6 million cards authenticated by the four major grading entities. This figure, while a notch lower than January’s numbers, marked a substantial 25% increase compared to the same period last year. The division between sports cards and Trading Card Games (TCG) revealed a clear preference, with sports cards commanding the lion’s share at 55.5%, underscoring the enduring popularity of this segment among collectors.
PSA emerged as the leader in card grading volume, processing a whopping 1.24 million cards. Among these, baseball cards took the center stage with over 293,000 cards graded. It was the charismatic duo of Shohei Ohtani and CJ Stroud who stole the spotlight, with their cards flooding the grading queues. Ohtani’s move to the Dodgers and Stroud’s impressive NFL season played a significant role in their heightened grading demand, with PSA churning through 26,800 cards for Ohtani and 16,400 cards for Stroud in just one month.
The grading fever wasn’t exclusive to PSA, as other grading companies like SGC also experienced a surge in submissions, particularly from the 2023 sports season, with a focus on football and baseball. The graded player roster at SGC showcased a mix of legends and emerging stars, with the likes of Michael Jordan, Ohtani, and Stroud garnering substantial attention. ISA Grading and Beckett Grading were not far behind, processing a considerable number of submissions, with Beckett notably grading the 2023 Topps NOW Connor Bedard rookie sticker as its hottest issue.
This spike in card grading activities serves as a testament to the dynamic and ever-evolving nature of the sports memorabilia market. Rising talents such as Ohtani and Stroud are swiftly capturing the hearts of collectors and investors alike, evident from their dominance in the grading statistics. The growing interest in both modern and vintage sports cards indicates a promising future for the hobby, fueling excitement among enthusiasts and investors as the market continues to flourish.