The trading card grading landscape witnessed a robust activity in February, with over 1.6 million cards authenticated, showcasing a significant yearly increase. Highlighted athletes, Shohei Ohtani and CJ Stroud, topped the grading charts, reflecting their escalating appeal in the collector's market.
In the month of February, the four principal card grading entities reported the authentication of over 1.6 million cards, a slight decrease from January's figures yet representing a notable 25% increase compared to the same period last year. The split between sports cards and Trading Card Games (TCG) like Pokemon and Magic The Gathering revealed a majority of 55.5% leaning towards sports cards, underscoring the enduring popularity of this segment.
Leading the pack in card grading volume was PSA, with 1.24 million cards processed. Baseball cards emerged as the frontrunners, with over 293,000 cards graded. The spotlight shone brightly on Shohei Ohtani and CJ Stroud, whose cards were among the most submitted for grading. Ohtani's transition to the Dodgers and Stroud's breakout NFL season contributed significantly to their grading prominence, with PSA handling 26,800 cards for Ohtani and 16,400 for Stroud within the month.
The grading frenzy wasn't limited to PSA, as SGC and other grading companies also reported a strong influx of modern cards from the 2023 sports season, particularly in football and baseball. The graded player list at SGC featured legends and new stars alike, with Michael Jordan, Ohtani, and Stroud receiving significant attention. Meanwhile, ISA Grading and Beckett Grading also navigated through a considerable number of submissions, with Beckett notably grading the 2023 Topps NOW Connor Bedard rookie sticker as its most submitted issue.
This surge in card grading highlights the vibrant and evolving nature of the sports memorabilia market, with new talents like Ohtani and Stroud gaining traction among collectors and investors alike. As the grading numbers suggest, the interest in both modern and vintage sports cards continues to grow, promising an exciting future for the hobby.