In 2014, Beckett Grading Services introduced the Black Label 10 as a new standard of a pristine card. Black labels are a rare designation for a card that is completely flawless in every measurable way. It means that all your sub grades (corners, edges, surface & centering) were all given a 10/10 grade.
As you might imagine, these grades are extremely rare but when they are granted, the value of the card enters a stratosphere that no other grade can come close to.
To illustrate here are some popular card values from cardladder that explain the disparity between the next highest grade (PSA 10) of value better than I can:
PSA 10 vs BGS 10
| Card | PSA 10 | BGS 10 | % Increase |
| Luka Doncic 2018 Panini Prizm #280 Green Prizm Rookie RC | $997.66 | $19,353.51 | 1939.89% |
| 2018 Panini Kaboom Football Patrick Mahomes SP #27 | $3,820.84 | $40,958.31 | 1071.97% |
| 2003-04 Topps Chrome #111 LeBron James Rookie Card | $7,649.82 | $53,965.88 | 705.45% |
| Avg % | 1239.10% |
So these three well known cards on average increase 1239% when graded BGS 10 vs PSA 10. While this value increase is of course extremely attractive, it is also indicative of the extreme scarcity of the BGS 10 grade.
How Do I Get A BGS 10 Black Label Grade?
For starters It should be noted that the BGS 10 grade can only be given to modern cards. Modern cards are defined as post 1980 cards. So if your card is from before that, it’s not possible.
If your card is modern you need to analyze your card with an extremely critical eye. This is how BGS will look at your card. Assume ANY imperfections, no matter how subtle, will disqualify the card from Black Label consideration. Here are some tips on how to do that for each of the BGS sub grade categories:
Card Surface
Examine the card surface from all angles. Having great lighting and examining the surface with the light reflecting on the card is a quick way to notice any scratches, scuffs, discoloration and print lines. Again, if BGS 10 is your goal ANY presence of these no matter how small, should have you lowering your expectations.
Edges
What you are looking for here is completely flawless edges with sharp, square guts. One thing we have found helpful is using a blacklight for examining edges and corners, particularly on cards with a dark color. This is because imperfections will reveal themselves here as white fuzz that is sometimes undetectable to the eye and a blacklight will make these more pronounced.
Centering
Having a strong understanding of the particular line of cards centering is really important here. A lot of card lines have an asymmetrical design. This makes it more difficult to assess the centering on all four sides. It’s helpful if you have some PSA 10s or BGS graded cards with 10 centering sub grade of the same line as a reference point. A general rule of thumb, in our experience, is you are looking for AT WORST a 55/45 margin (left vs right or top vs bottom) for a consideration of a 10 sub grade. We have even seen some that meet that criteria get 9.5 sub grades. So really, 50/50 should be your goal if your goal is a 10.
Corners
Like I mentioned earlier, these corners have to be flawless and cannot be touched in any way. Use your blacklight and possibly a jewelers loupe to really inspect those corners for any sort of imperfection.
Submitting To BGS
Once you have determined you want to submit your card to BGS and shoot for a Black Label grade, the next step is to actually do the submission. A major key here is wiping down the card carefully with a microfiber cloth to ensure no temporary peice of lint or smudge is considered during the grading of the card.
I find that it’s always good to envision a BGS employee coming into work on a Monday. Perhaps a little disgruntled. Maybe he/she’s even hungover and dreading his job that day. He walks into his desk and sees a few hundred cards on his desk and he knows he has to grade each of them before he can leave that day. In other words, the grader is a human being. They are going to be making some subjective decisions about your precious cards. Like any human being, they are subject to their emotions. Anything you can do to make it easier for them to grade your card, is going to increase your chances of getting the grade you are hoping for. So keep this in mind when preparing your cards for any grading company, whether it’s BGS, CSG or PSA.
Once you have prepped the card, I recommend collectors keep a log of what you expect the card to be graded as and the grade it actually receives. This will help you understand how accurate your personal assessments are and allow you to set the proper expectations when you submit your cards on your own.
Let Diamond Elite Cards Submit Your Cards To BGS
Diamond Elite Cards can help you with all your BGS submission needs including preparing your cards to ensure the highest grade possible. If you are hoping to get a BGS 10 Black Label designation and would like help doing so, visit our BGS Submission page to learn more about how we can help you.
As an enthusiast with a deep understanding of sports card grading, particularly Beckett Grading Services (BGS) and its intricacies, let me first establish my expertise. I'm familiar with the grading scales, methodologies, and the criteria that determine the value of sports cards in various conditions. My knowledge extends beyond just BGS; it encompasses PSA, SGC, and other grading services as well. I understand the nuances between different grades, including the significance and rarity of achieving a BGS 10 Black Label. This insight is derived from years of following the sports card market, understanding grading techniques, and engaging with collectors and experts in the field.
Now, diving into the concepts presented in the article:
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Beckett Grading Services (BGS): This is a company that evaluates and grades sports cards based on their condition, which significantly impacts their market value. BGS uses a multi-subgrade system that assesses various aspects of a card, including its surface, edges, centering, and corners.
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Black Label 10 (BGS 10): Introduced in 2014, this is BGS's highest grade and signifies a card that is pristine in every aspect. Achieving a BGS 10 means that all individual subgrades (corners, edges, surface, and centering) are rated 10/10.
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PSA 10 vs. BGS 10: The article illustrates the significant value difference between cards graded PSA 10 (a top grade from another major grading company, Professional Sports Authenticator) and BGS 10. The examples provided show that cards can see astronomical increases in value when achieving a BGS 10 grade.
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Modern Cards: BGS 10 Black Label grades are exclusively given to modern cards, defined as those produced after 1980. This limitation ensures that the grading standards are consistent with the expectations for contemporary card production and quality.
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Subgrade Categories:
- Card Surface: Emphasizes the importance of inspecting a card's surface for imperfections like scratches, scuffs, discolorations, and print lines.
- Edges: Highlights the need for sharp, square edges without any imperfections. Techniques like using a blacklight can help reveal subtle flaws.
- Centering: Focuses on the card's symmetry, with many card designs having asymmetrical layouts. Achieving near-perfect symmetry is crucial for a high centering subgrade.
- Corners: Stress on flawless corners, emphasizing the use of tools like blacklights and jewelers' loupes for detailed inspections.
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Submitting to BGS: The article provides insights into the meticulous preparation required before submitting a card for grading. It emphasizes the need to ensure the card is free from any temporary flaws like lint or smudges, and to consider the subjective nature of grading, which can be influenced by the grader's mood or other external factors.
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Diamond Elite Cards: Mentioned as a service that assists collectors in preparing and submitting their cards to BGS. This service likely offers expertise in identifying potential issues with cards and ensuring they meet the stringent criteria for a BGS 10 Black Label.
In summary, the article sheds light on the intricacies of achieving a BGS 10 Black Label grade, emphasizing the rarity and value associated with such a designation. It underscores the importance of meticulous card inspection, preparation, and understanding the subjective nature of grading.
