HOW GRADED COLLECTIBLES INCREASE VALUE FOR LOANS

How Graded Collectibles Increase Value for Loans

How Graded Collectibles Increase Value for Loans

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If you’re holding rare trading cards, sports cards, or other valuable collectibles, grading them isn’t just for bragging rights — it can help you secure a higher loan offer. At Qollateral, we offer fast, secure loans using high-value graded collectibles as collateral. Whether you’re looking to borrow against a PSA 10 LeBron rookie or a Beckett-graded Pokémon card, the condition and credibility that grading provides can significantly boost your card’s secondary market value — and your loan eligibility. ???? Contact Qollateral to schedule a free, no-obligation collectible appraisal.

???? What Is Grading and Why Does It Matter?

Grading collectibles is the process of having your item assessed by a third-party grading service, such as PSA, Beckett (BGS), SGC, or HGA, to determine its condition, authenticity, and rarity. The item is then sealed in a tamper-proof case, often referred to as a “slab,” and assigned a grade on a scale (typically 1 to 10).

Buyers — and lenders — place a premium on graded collectibles because they’re easier to verify, sell, and insure. For borrowers, this means graded items can fetch larger loan offers due to the increased trust and liquidity they carry on the resale market.

How the Card Grading Process Works

  1. Choose a reputable service: PSA, Beckett, SGC, HGA, or CSG for cards; NGC for coins.

  2. Submit your item for evaluation, along with payment for grading fees.

  3. The item is assessed for:

    • Surface condition, centering, edges, corners

    • Print quality, ink marks, wear, discoloration

    • Rarity and edition

  4. It receives a grade (e.g., PSA 9 or BGS 8.5) and is returned sealed in a protective slab.

Higher grades (like PSA 9 or 10) often lead to higher resale values — and therefore larger loan offers.

???? Benefits of Grading for Collateral Loans

Card collectors are almost always willing to pay more for a graded card. There’s significant value in guaranteeing both authenticity and condition through grading. It eases some pressure on the buyer and ensures they’re getting the real thing — especially in a market where counterfeits are common.

This value is ultimately passed along to the borrower when it comes time to get a loan against trading cards. Graded cards tend to be worth more on the secondary market than raw, or ungraded, cards.

???? The more desirable and liquid a card is, the higher the loan offer will be — because it’s easier for a lender like Qollateral to resell if needed.

???? Are Graded Cards Worth More?

A graded card almost always commands more on the resale and loan markets than an identical ungraded card. And that premium increases with higher grades. For example, according to the PSA population report, a PSA 10 mint condition 2003 LeBron James Bowman Chrome Rookies & Stars card sold for $138,000 at auction in 2021. The highest value for a grade 9 version was $68,880, and just $10,090 for a grade 8.

???? As you can see, grading can make a massive difference in value — which directly affects how much you can borrow against that collectible.

❓ Should I Get My Cards Graded?

Now that you know how the process works, you might be wondering — is it worth it?

In addition to grading fees, there are also shipping and insurance costs to consider. Grading doesn’t make sense if your card isn’t worth significantly more than what you’ll spend.

✅ Consider grading if:

  • Your collectible is in high demand or rare

  • It’s in excellent condition (no creases, clean corners, centered image)

  • Recent comps show that graded versions sell or loan for much more

If you’re confident your card is a solid 8 or 9 and could fetch hundreds or even thousands more than its ungraded version, it’s probably worth it.

That means a better return when it comes time to sell or use it for a collateral loan.

???? The Bottom Line

Grading is a smart move for collectors looking to leverage the value of high-end cards and collectibles. The process establishes authenticity and condition — two things that increase resale potential and borrowing power.

If you’re thinking about using your collectibles to get a short-term loan, grading could be the key to a bigger offer.

Are you ready to unlock the value of your graded collectibles?
Contact Qollateral, NYC’s and the nation’s most trusted asset-backed lender, to find out how much cash you can get today.

???? Call or Text: 212-287-5257

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