Subgrade

A subgrade is a separate numerical mark assigned to one of four specific condition categories, centering, corners, edges, and surface, that appears alongside a card's overall grade. Professional grading companies like PSA and Beckett print these component scores on their slabs to show collectors exactly which attributes pulled a card down from a higher grade. A card might earn a final grade of 7, for example, with subgrades showing 8 for corners, 7 for centering, 6 for edges, and 7 for surface; this breakdown tells the collector that poor edge condition was the limiting factor. Subgrades give transparency to the grading process and help buyers understand whether the weaknesses matter for their collecting goals.

Not all graders use subgrades, and those that do may apply them differently. Some companies assign them automatically on all cards, while others reserve them for higher grades or specific product lines. Collectors use subgrades to identify opportunities: a card with strong surface and corners but weak centering might appeal to someone building a high-quality vintage set where eye appeal matters more than technical centering perfection. Subgrades also help explain price variation among cards with the same overall grade, since two cards graded 8 can perform quite differently in the market if one has poor centering and the other has poor surface. Understanding subgrades is essential for making informed collection decisions beyond the headline number.