The month of February saw a whirlwind of activity in the card grading world, with a staggering 1.6 million cards passing through the authentication process. This surge marks a significant uptick from the previous year, highlighting the growing popularity of sports collectibles among enthusiasts and investors alike. Two standout athletes, Shohei Ohtani and CJ Stroud, stole the limelight as their cards dominated the grading charts.
Across the four major card grading entities, the month witnessed a bustling authentication process, albeit with a slight dip from January numbers. However, the overall volume was still notably higher, boasting a 25% increase compared to the same period last year. The majority of graded cards, 55.5% to be precise, belonged to the realm of sports cards, reaffirming the enduring allure of this segment in the market.
PSA emerged as the frontrunner in grading volume, with a whopping 1.24 million cards passing through their hands. Baseball cards reigned supreme in the assortment, with over 293,000 cards finding their way to the grading table. Among the multitude of cards submitted, the names of Shohei Ohtani and CJ Stroud stood out prominently. Ohtani’s move to the Dodgers and Stroud’s remarkable NFL season were key factors contributing to the surge in their card submissions. PSA alone handled a remarkable 26,800 cards for Ohtani and 16,400 for Stroud during the month.
The grading spree extended beyond PSA, with other grading companies like SGC also reporting a significant influx of modern cards from the 2023 sports season, particularly in football and baseball categories. The list of graded players at SGC featured a mix of legends and budding stars, with renowned names like Michael Jordan, Shohei Ohtani, and CJ Stroud garnering substantial attention. Additionally, ISA Grading and Beckett Grading processed a substantial number of submissions, with Beckett notably grading the 2023 Topps NOW Connor Bedard rookie sticker as one of its most submitted issues.
This surge in card grading activity not only signifies the vibrant state of the sports memorabilia market but also reflects the evolving tastes of collectors and investors. The rising popularity of new talents like Shohei Ohtani and CJ Stroud underscores the dynamic nature of the hobby, wherein modern and vintage sports cards continue to captivate enthusiasts. As the numbers indicate, the future looks promising for the realm of sports collectibles, promising further excitement and growth in the coming months.
