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Grading

How do TAG, SGC, and Ace grade differently from PSA, BGS, and CGC?

Published · Updated · By the Cards from Japan editors

Summary

The biggest differences are in how the grade is scored and what comes with it. TAG converts a 1,000-point score into a 1 to 10 grade and includes a QR-linked grading report at every tier. Ace Grading, based in the U.K., shows four subgrades for surface, centering, edges, and corners at no charge. SGC is a U.S. grader that has been grading cards since 1998.

TAG and Ace Grading compared

TAGAce Grading
Scale1 to 10, with half grades everywhere except between 9 and 10. A 10 is either Pristine (990 to 1,000 points) or Gem Mint (950 to 989)Whole grades from 10 GEM MINT to 1 POOR. A 10 needs centering better than 60/40
What you getA DIG grading report at every tier; Premier gets DIG+ with 1,000-point subscoresA cert page with four subgrades, same-grade and higher-grade population, and population by label
Price per cardHelp article current as of October 21, 2026: Standard $59.95, Priority $79.95, Express $149.95, Premier $299.95 (no price shown for Value or Base)Basic £18, Standard £25, Premier £32, Ultra £60, Luxury £120, labels and shipping extra
Estimated turnaroundFrom about 90 business days (Value) to 3 to 5 (Premier)From 30 business days (Basic) to 2 (Luxury)

TAG uses the grade names differently from BGS. BGS calls a 10 Pristine and a 9.5 Gem Mint, while TAG splits its 10 into Pristine at 990 points and up and Gem Mint from 950 to 989.

On November 2, 2026, TAG's storefront carried a "limited reopening" banner and listed only two grading services, with Basic from $22 marked sold out, so its tier names and prices did not match the help article. Ace Grading accepts submissions from the U.K., the EU, the U.S., Canada, Japan, Australia, and New Zealand.

SGC

SGC has been grading since 1998 and is based in Boca Raton, Florida. Its pricing page lists two services, Standard at an estimated 40+ business days and Expedited at 2 to 3 days, counted from when the order is unboxed and logged into its system.

Sources

  1. TAG grading services (help) (checked 2026-11-02)
  2. TAG storefront (checked 2026-11-02)
  3. TAG grading scale (checked 2026-11-02)
  4. Ace Grading prices (checked 2026-11-02)
  5. Ace Grading turnaround (checked 2026-11-02)
  6. Ace Grading grading scale (checked 2026-11-02)
  7. Ace Grading cert example (checked 2026-11-02)
  8. Ace Grading
  9. SGC (checked 2026-11-02)
  10. SGC Services and Pricing

Details are as published on these pages on the date above and can change. Check the official page before you buy or submit.

More grading guides

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