CGC Trading Cards Help Center

For answers to frequently asked questions about CGC membership, submitting to CGC Trading Cards, card grading and more, scroll below. To contact CGC Trading Cards Customer Service, click here.

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About CGC Trading Cards

CGC Membership

CGC Trading Cards Grading

Submitting to CGC Trading Cards

CGC Trading Cards Website

Cards Accepted by CGC Trading Cards

What cards does CGC Trading Cards grade?

CGC Trading Cards grades most trading card games, including Pokémon, Magic: The Gathering, Yu-Gi-Oh! and many more. For more information about the cards graded from each game, visit Trading Cards We Grade & Policies.

CGC Trading Cards also accepts Gamma play test Magic cards, "Artist's Alterations" (altered by the artist of the card) and "Artistic Alterations" (altered by anyone in an artful way). Artistically altered cards are generally encapsulated with the Qualified (Green) Label.
 
In the future, CGC Trading Cards will also grade most non-sports trading cards. Eligible games, sets and types will be announced on an ongoing basis. CGC Trading Cards' affiliate, CSG, grades most sports cards. If a card is incorrectly submitted to CGC Trading Cards instead of CSG, or vice versa, it will be transferred to the appropriate company for no additional fee.
 
CGC Trading Cards does not certify counterfeit cards. A counterfeit card is one manufactured by anyone other than the official company that produces it.
 
Certain cards are deemed not suitable for certification on a case-by-case basis; for example, a card with significant missing pieces or with structural integrity issues.

Will CGC Trading Cards grade other types of cards?

CGC Trading Cards looks forward to grading additional games in the future. Any new games eligible for certification services will be announced on the website and social media. Its affiliate Certified Sports Guaranty (CSG) focuses on grading sports cards. For more information about CSG visit, CSGcards.com.

Does CGC Trading Cards grade foreign language Magic and Pokémon cards?

Yes. CGC Trading Cards grades all languages of Magic cards and all languages of standard-sized Pokémon cards.

Does CGC Trading Cards grade autographed or signed cards?

CGC Trading Cards does not authenticate signatures. If a card has been signed, it will be graded and encapsulated with the Qualified (Green) Label, with "Unwitnessed Signature" on the back of the label.

Does CGC Trading Cards certify altered cards?

CGC Trading Cards will not grade any card that has been altered to create the deception that it is a rarer version; for example, turning white borders black or changing the set symbol. CGC Trading Cards will grade "Artist's Alterations" (altered by the artist of the card) and "Artistic Alterations" (altered by anyone in an artful way). Artistically altered cards are generally encapsulated in the green Qualified Label.

Does CGC Trading Cards certify error cards?

Yes, CGC Trading Cards will grade a card that has a printing error. There is an additional $5 fee for error cards. To see the full CGC Trading Cards Error Guide, click here.

Will CGC Trading Cards certify NFC (Not Factory Cut) or odd-sized cards?

CGC Trading Cards will typically not grade Not Factory Cut (NFC) cards. The only exceptions are NFC test print cards. CGC Trading Cards will not grade NFC cards from the WotC era unless they come with provenance from a WotC employee. Odd-sized cards that will not be secure in our holder are not eligible for certification at this time.

Does CGC Trading Cards certify rebacked cards or clipped Beta Cards?

Rebacked and clipped cards are not eligible for certification by CGC Trading Cards. In most cases, rebacked cards are produced by sanding the face of one card and the back of another and gluing them together. This is always done with less valuable cards to create a forgery of a more expensive card. Clipped Beta cards have had the corners made more rounded to imitate an Alpha card. These cards are not eligible for CGC Trading Cards certification.

Still not finding an answer? Contact CGC Customer Service at 1-888-CGC-GRADE, 1-941-361-1950 or [email protected].

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