1st Edition classics
Early LOB, MRD & SDK prints and sought-after 1st Edition cards with high market value.
Get Yu-Gi-Oh! Cards Graded
Have your Yu-Gi-Oh! cards professionally graded, authenticated and sealed in the PGS case – fast, insured and customs-free. From 1st Edition classics through Ghost, Ultimate and Starlight Rares to the latest sets: we rate your collectible cards against clear criteria. Made in Germany, from €15.95 per card.
Why grade?
Why get Yu-Gi-Oh! cards graded?
Older Yu-Gi-Oh! cards in particular have typical weak points – grading documents them objectively.
Yu-Gi-Oh! is one of the most established trading card games in the world – with a huge fan base and classics that command high collector prices today. Early 1st Edition prints from sets like Legend of Blue Eyes White Dragon (LOB), Metal Raiders (MRD) or Starter Deck Kaiba (SDK), rare Ghost Rares, Ultimate Rares and modern Starlight Rares are especially sought-after grading candidates. When you get Yu-Gi-Oh! cards graded, we confirm the authenticity of every card and record its condition in a transparent, verifiable way.
Yu-Gi-Oh! cards often show weaknesses in surface and edges: embossed Ultimate Rares tend to develop fine scratches, while older cards frequently show edge wear and corner whitening. This is exactly where professional grading helps. We assess every card under controlled lighting and magnification, so even the finest print lines or clouding are not overlooked – the result is a grade that fairly reflects the actual condition.
The sealed PGS case then 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 actually is for your card.
Is it worth it?
Which Yu-Gi-Oh! cards are worth grading?
High collector or market value, rarity and good condition are the key factors.
Ghost & Ultimate Rares
Rare rarities with special printing – ideal candidates for high grades when surface and relief are clean.
Starlight & Collector's Rares
Modern chase cards from current sets whose value a top grade secures long term.
JP, DE & EN
We grade Japanese, German and English Yu-Gi-Oh! cards – including Japanese OCG prints.
What we look at
Yu-Gi-Oh! grading specifics
Yu-Gi-Oh! differs from other TCGs in a few ways. Embossed rarities (Ultimate Rares) and heavily foiled prints (Ghost & Starlight Rares) are sensitive to scratches and light reflections – we assess them from several angles to rate the surface fairly. For vintage cards we also focus on centering, as printing back then was often less even than today.
The difference between 1st Edition and Unlimited is documented too, as it can be decisive for resale value. Japanese OCG cards have a slightly different format – for these we provide a matching acrylic holder so every card is sealed precisely and securely.
Grading criteria
What gets rated?
Four subgrades make up the overall grade from 1 to 10.
Centering
Even cut – often the biggest hurdle for old cards.
Corners
Sharpness of the corners, whitening, dents.
Edges
Edge wear and tears – typical of vintage cards.
Surface
Scratches and print lines – especially relevant on Ultimate & Ghost Rares.
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 Yu-Gi-Oh! grading
Do you grade old Yu-Gi-Oh! cards?
Yes. We grade vintage cards just like modern prints. For old cards especially, the objective documentation of centering, edges and surface is very valuable.
Can I have 1st Edition cards graded?
Of course. 1st Edition cards are among the most sought-after grading candidates in Yu-Gi-Oh! – a high grade can significantly increase value.
Do you grade Ghost Rares and Ultimate Rares?
Yes. Ghost Rares, Ultimate Rares and other special rarities are rated by the same four subgrades; for embossed cards we pay special attention to the surface.
Which languages do you grade?
We grade Japanese, German and English Yu-Gi-Oh! cards.
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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