Reserved List & Dual Lands
High-priced classics where authenticity and condition largely determine value.
Get Magic (MTG) Cards Graded
Have your Magic: The Gathering cards (MTG) professionally graded, authenticated and sealed in the PGS case – fast, insured and customs-free. From Reserved List and vintage cards through foils and Secret Lair to current Commander staples: we rate your collectible cards against clear criteria. Made in Germany, from €15.95 per card.
Why grade?
Why get Magic cards graded?
For high-value MTG cards, authenticity and condition are everything – grading documents both objectively.
Magic: The Gathering is the oldest trading card game in the world – and one with the highest collector values. Reserved List cards, old Dual Lands, early Power Nine cards and limited Secret Lair prints in particular command remarkable prices. This is exactly where grading pays off most: when you get Magic cards graded, we confirm the authenticity of every card and record its condition verifiably – a key advantage for often-counterfeited vintage cards.
MTG cards have several characteristics relevant to grading. Foils tend to develop clouding (milky haze), curling (warping) and fine scratches; older cards often show edge wear and whitening. We assess every card under controlled lighting and magnification, so even hard-to-see print lines or surface flaws are detected.
The sealed PGS case protects your card permanently against further wear, UV light and moisture. The serial number with QR code makes the grade verifiable at any time, and the pop report transparently shows how rare a given grade truly is for your card. This makes valuable cards safer to store and easier to sell.
Is it worth it?
Which Magic cards are worth grading?
High value, rarity and counterfeit-prone prints especially favour grading.
Vintage & Power Nine
Early sets like Alpha, Beta & Unlimited – rare cards with high collector value.
Foils & Secret Lair
Borderless, Showcase and Secret Lair foils – a top grade secures their value.
Commander staples & promos
Popular modern cards and promos with high, stable demand.
Unsure about the value of your cards? Our authentication & value appraisal provides a well-founded assessment – even without a slab.
What we look at
Magic grading specifics
Magic cards have appeared since 1993 across many printing methods, editions and languages. We grade them regardless of language and edition – from Alpha to current releases. For foils the focus is on the surface: clouding and curling clearly affect the grade, which is why we assess the card from several angles. For vintage cards, authentication is especially important, as expensive Reserved List cards are frequently counterfeited.
Centering also plays a major role in Magic, as the cut was often uneven in early sets. Our rating documents all of this transparently in four subgrades – so collectors and buyers have a reliable, objective basis.
Grading criteria
What gets rated?
Four subgrades make up the overall grade from 1 to 10.
Centering
Even cut – often the biggest hurdle in old sets.
Corners
Sharpness of the corners, whitening, dents.
Edges
Edge wear and tears – typical of vintage cards.
Surface
Clouding, curling, scratches & print lines – decisive on foils.
Learn how the four criteria form the overall grade on our grading scale and subgrades pages.
4 steps
How it works at PGS
1 · Order
Choose your service in the configurator and order online.
2 · Send in
Pack securely and ship insured to Cologne – or drop it off in person.
3 · Grade
Authentication & rating of the four subgrades under controlled lighting.
4 · Seal
Sealed in a case with serial number & QR code, then returned insured.
Germany instead of the USA
Advantages over shipping abroad
No customs, no value charge, no months of waiting: when grading in Germany your cards never leave the country, so import duties and long transport routes are avoided. The price is fixed in advance, processing takes 1–15 business days, and shipping stays insured throughout. See the full comparison at PSA vs. PGS and all costs at grading prices.
FAQ
Common questions about Magic grading
Why should I have Magic cards graded?
Because grading objectively documents authenticity and condition – crucial for high-value Reserved List and vintage cards as well as sensitive foils. A graded card is safer to store and easier to sell.
Do you grade foils and Secret Lair cards?
Yes. Foils, borderless, showcase and Secret Lair cards are rated by the same criteria; foils are checked especially for clouding, curling and scratches.
Do you check the authenticity of old Magic cards?
Yes. Every card is checked for authenticity – a key advantage especially for often-counterfeited vintage and Reserved List cards.
Which languages and editions do you grade?
We grade Magic cards regardless of language and edition – from old sets to current releases, Commander staples and promos.
What does it cost and how long does it take?
From €15.95 per card as a fixed price, processed in 1–15 business days depending on the service. Details at prices.
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