How to Identify Graded Slab Labels and Confirm Authenticity
Graded slab labels provide essential details about a trading card's grade and authenticity. Knowing what to look for on the label and how to verify it helps collectors avoid counterfeits and understand a card's value.
Key Elements on a Graded Slab Label
The label inside a graded slab typically includes the grading company name (such as PSA, BGS, CGC, or TAG), the card's set, year, and card number, the player or character name, and a numeric grade representing the overall condition. Most labels also display a unique certification number that can be verified on the grading company's official website.
Some grading companies include subgrades for centering, corners, edges, and surface. These subgrades provide additional detail about the card's condition beyond the overall grade.
What to Look for on the Label
- Grading Company Name: Confirm it matches a reputable grader.
- Card Identification: Check set, year, card number, and player/character name for accuracy.
- Grade: Note the numeric grade and any subgrades if present.
- Certification Number: This unique number is critical for verification.
Labels should be clear, properly aligned, and free of obvious printing errors or alterations.
Verifying the Certification Number
Always use the grading company's official certification lookup tool to confirm the number on the label. This step ensures the card matches the grader's records for authenticity and grade details. Be cautious as labels and slabs can be tampered with or counterfeited.
Confirming the Card Inside the Slab
After verifying the label, inspect the card itself. Confirm it matches the label’s description exactly. Pay attention to corners, edges, surface condition, and centering as these influence the grade. For precise centering measurement from a single photo, tools like Midpoint can assist collectors in evaluating card condition before submission.
Using Midpoint for Further Verification and Valuation
Midpoint offers a comprehensive card lookup feature that lets you compare raw versus graded market values across over 250,000 cards, including Pokemon, Magic: The Gathering, sports cards, and more. After identifying the card and confirming its grade authenticity, use Midpoint to track your collection’s value and understand current market trends.
Scan a card in Midpoint - free to start - to identify it against a 250,000+ card catalogue and see its current value.
Try MidpointFAQ
How do I verify a graded card’s certification number?
Use the grading company’s official online lookup tool to enter the certification number and confirm the card’s grade and details.
What information is included on a graded slab label?
Labels show the grading company, card set, year, number, player or character name, numeric grade, certification number, and sometimes subgrades.
Can slab labels be faked or tampered with?
Yes. Always verify the certification number with the grading company’s official database to confirm authenticity.
What role do subgrades play on a slab label?
Subgrades provide condition details on centering, corners, edges, and surface, supplementing the overall numeric grade.
How can Midpoint help with graded card verification?
Midpoint lets you confirm card details, compare raw and graded values, and measure centering precisely from a photo to assist with grading decisions.