The month of February brought a whirlwind of activity in the card grading realm, with collectors and investors alike flocking to authenticate over 1.6 million cards, marking a substantial surge from previous years. The star players of this grading extravaganza were none other than Shohei Ohtani and CJ Stroud, whose cards commanded a significant presence in the grading landscape.
The key grading entities reported an impressive flow of cards passing through their authentication processes, with a slight dip from January but a remarkable 25% boost from the same period last year. Sports cards overwhelmingly dominated the scene, with a majority of 55.5% outshining Trading Card Games, illustrating the enduring popularity of sports collectibles.
PSA, a titan in the grading industry, led the charge by processing a whopping 1.24 million cards, with baseball cards taking the lead at over 293,000 submissions. Within this sea of cards, the names of Shohei Ohtani and CJ Stroud stood out prominently, reflecting their surging popularity. Ohtani’s move to the Dodgers and Stroud’s stellar NFL season were key factors propelling their cards to be among the most sought-after for grading, with PSA alone handling 26,800 and 16,400 cards for Ohtani and Stroud, respectively.
While PSA reigned supreme, other grading companies like SGC also witnessed a surge in submissions, particularly from the 2023 sports season in football and baseball. The graded player roster at SGC boasted a mix of legends and emerging talents, with the likes of Michael Jordan, Ohtani, and Stroud garnering significant attention. Concurrently, ISA Grading and Beckett Grading navigated through a notable influx of submissions, with Beckett notably grading the 2023 Topps NOW Connor Bedard rookie sticker as a standout issue.
This surge in card grading activity not only underscores the vibrancy of the sports memorabilia market but also points to the evolving preferences of collectors and investors. Rising stars like Ohtani and Stroud are carving their places in the hearts of enthusiasts, driving up the demand for their graded cards. The mix of both modern and vintage cards being submitted for grading signals a promising future for the hobby, generating excitement and anticipation for what lies ahead in the dynamic world of sports collectibles.
