CGC Grading at VeeCon 2023: Submit, Grade, and Secure Your VeeFriends Cards and Collectibles with Ease!
VeeCon is excited to announce its partnership with CGC (Certified Guaranty Company), a professional grading service for collectibles. At VeeCon 2023, attendees can submit their VeeFriends trading cards and other types of trading cards, sports cards, comic books, video games, and magazines for authentication and grading by CGC.
The VeeFriends community includes many passionate collectors from all around the world. Whether it’s Series 1 Cards, Series 2 Compete and Collect, or UNO, the thrill of pack ripping is unmatched. For collectors who love to open and collect these cards, we understand the importance of keeping them protected and secure during every certification process step. Wouldn’t it be a dream to safeguard these precious items and ensure their protection conveniently?
At VeeCon 2023, all attendees can submit their cards and collectibles for grading on-site, knowing they are in good hands, and receive them back in the mail soon after.
An Introduction to Certified Collectibles Group and CGC Trading Cards
CGC is the trading card and pop culture grading company within the Certified Collectibles Group, which includes several companies at the top of its class for the authentication and grading of cards, comic books, coins, currency, stamps, video games, memorabilia, and more. Founded in 1987, the Certified Collectibles Group has graded more than 75 million collectibles, becoming one of the most respected and trusted third-party grading services in collectibles across all categories, from pop culture comics to gold coins and even space-flown memorabilia.
Items graded by the Certified Collectibles Group companies have become an industry standard, highly sought after by collectors worldwide. They provide a reliable and standardized measure of condition and authenticity. CGC has established partnerships with leading auction houses and retailers in the collectibles market, as well as significant collections, estates, museums, and select artists. Its reputation as a grading and authentication service is based on its rigorous standards and procedures and its team of highly trained and knowledgeable experts. CGC provides an essential service for ensuring the authenticity and condition of your prized possessions and knowing they will be well-protected for years.
What Collectibles Will CGC Accept for Grading at Veecon?
CGC will be at “Gary’s Garage Sale” located on the first level of the stadium. Attendees can submit their VeeFriends cards and many other collectibles for grading and authentication in person to CGC! All grading orders at VeeCon will be submitted electronically. After payment, users will receive an account with a complimentary Associate membership ($25 value), enabling them to track their submissions at every step. Submissions will be returned to Florida for grading and shipped out within 30 business days.
CGC will be accepting the below collectibles:
- Trading Cards: $12/card — VeeFriends, Pokemon, Magic, Yu-Gi-Oh!, see full list and other services
- Sports Cards: $12/card — Modern and Vintage sports cards, see full list and other services
- Comic Books: $25/item and $37 for pre-1975, See complete Pricing
- Magazines: $25/item and $37 for pre-1975, See complete Pricing
- Video Games: $40/item, See Pricing
Please note that there may be slight differences in the costs shown on your online submission, as CGC will manually update the costs to reflect VeeCon discounts shortly after VeeCon. The prices shared here and at VeeCon will be the accurate costs.
How Much Will It Cost to Grade My Cards?
VeeFriends has collaborated with CGC to provide VeeCon attendees with the most competitive pricing. While CGC’s standard submission rate is $25/card, VeeCon attendees can submit all their sports and trading cards for grading at the exclusive rate of just $12 per card. Please note CGC has a $5 handling fee per order, and shipping is not included.
Other collectibles noted above will be accepted at their standard pricing.
Additionally, all submitters will receive a complimentary Associate membership ($25 valued). This membership grants full access to online resources, complete submission privileges, free grader notes for comics (when available), a 10% discount at the CCG Store, and a $15 CGC Trading Cards Shipping Kit voucher.
How Does CGC Grade Collectibles?
Every collectible is inspected by at least two (2) professionals. CGC grades trading cards on a 10-point scale, evaluating factors such as centering, corners, edges, and surface condition. The cards are also examined for signs of alteration, restoration, or counterfeit. After grading, the cards are encapsulated in a tamper-evident, archival-quality holder, which preserves the card’s condition and protects it from damage. Additionally, all cards will be imaged and accessible via a QR code on each slab (Example).
Stages of Grading:
CGC’s reputation as an authentication and grading service is based on its rigorous standards and procedures and its team of highly trained and knowledgeable experts. All submitted cards go through a detailed grading process: Receiving, Verification, Authentication, Grading, Encapsulation, Imaging, Quality Control, Packaging, and Shipping.
Learn more here: https://www.cgccards.com/card-grading/grading-process/
Grading Scales:
See the below scales for more information on determining a collectible’s condition:
- CGC Trading Cards https://www.cgccards.com/card-grading/grading-scale/
- CSG Sports Cards: https://www.csgcards.com/card-grading/grading-scale/
- CGC Video Games: https://www.cgcvideogames.com/grading
- CGC Comics and Magazines: https://www.cgccomics.com/grading/grading-scale/
Make it Your Own!
You can add a “pedigree” to the certification label, adding an additional note on the back of the label to indicate a card’s ownership. You can even pedigree a card to yourself, such as “The XXX Collection” or even add a “VeeCon 2023” pedigree to commemorate the event. Pedigree labels are an additional $5 per card.
What are some of CGC’s highest collectibles sales?
CGC is a leading collectibles authentication company, and VeeFriends is proud to be graded alongside many premier groups of IP, collectibles, and nostalgia. Since 2021, there have been over 16 CGC-graded comics to sell for over $1 million at auction. At Heritage Auctions alone, over 80 NGC-graded coins have sold for over $1 million. Notable comic sales include Spider-Man Amazing Fantasy #15 for $3.6 million in 2021, Action Comics #1: $3.18 million in 2022, Captain America #1: $3.12 million in 2022. CGC Trading CArds has graded notable cards from Mickey Mantle rookie cards to 1st Edition Charizards. Notable sales include a 1993 Magic Black Lotus Signed Proof CGC 8.5 for $615k, a 1998 Blastoise Hologram CGC 8.5 for $360k, a 1998 Pokemon Blastoise Test Card CGC 6.5 for $216k.
CGC is among the most reputable and respected companies in the collectibles industry, known for its high-quality authentication and grading services and its commitment to excellence and customer satisfaction. We hope this activation provides an exciting opportunity for attendees to personally and securely hand off their VeeFriends trading cards to be graded and authenticated. With CGC’s expertise and reputation in the collectibles industry, VeeCon attendees can confidently authenticate and grade their trading cards and collectibles. To talk about all things physical collectibles and grading, please visit the IRL-Collectibles discord channel! We can’t wait to see so many of you visiting Gary’s Garage Sale at VeeCon next week!
Additional Questions
What Is Card Grading?
A: Cards are graded based on appearance and condition, carefully evaluating the condition of a card’s corners, edges, surface, and centering. When a card is graded, a score between 1 (lowest) and 10 (highest) is assessed and then encapsulated in a protective plastic holder with a label stating the card’s description, authenticity, and condition. For more information about grading and protecting collectibles, see this blog.
Can attendees elect to put Sub-Grades?
A: Think of sub-grades as a “report card” for your card, providing clear details as to why it received its grade. To receive subgrades on your label, there is an additional $12 cost per item.
Is there any minimum amount of cards I need to grade?
A: No, attendees can submit any number of cards or collectibles.
Is there any max value for that $12 submission?
A: The maximum declared value for the $12 submission is $500. Higher values would elevate to a different submission level.
What are the shipping costs?
A: Upon completion, submissions are mailed back via Fedex Ground, which includes insurance coverage of up to $100,000 per package procured by CGC.
Once I hand my cards off, how do I know that my cards are secure?
A: CGC Cards’ representatives will ensure your submission is securely packaged and shipped to CGC headquarters in Sarasota, Florida, for grading. Shipments to and from CGC are insured for your peace of mind. CGC has been grading collectibles for over 20 years and has a proven process, including verification, authentication, evaluation by at least two experts, and quality control, all under security cameras, which protects collectibles during certification.
When can I expect to receive my submission in the mail?
A: Submitted items will be graded and mailed within 30 business days.
Does CGC provide international shipping?
A: Yes! CGC representatives will walk you through international shipping options.
Can CGC grade an in-person GaryVee signature?
A: Please note that CGC can only grade and authenticate signatures that were signed in the presence of a representative during an official signing. In-person autographs from Gary or others will not be accepted for grading. Only pack-pulled 1/1 autographs will be eligible for grading.
Can I grade my hotel key card with CGC?
A: CGC cannot authenticate and grade hotel key cards.
For additional help / info
Questions for CGC Trading Cards should be directed to Service@CGCcards.com or 877–662–6642.
Questions for CSG Sports Cards should be directed to Service@CSGcards.com or 888–274–4723.
Questions for CGC Comics and Magazines should be directed to Service@CGCcomics.com or 877–662–6642.
Questions for CGC Video Games should be directed to Service@CGCvideogames.com or 877–662–6642.
