Area company launches trading card grading division

SARASOTA — Certified Guaranty Company has launched CGC Trading Cards, a division to authenticate, grade and encapsulate Pokémon TCG and Magic: The Gathering cards.

Lakewood Ranch-based CGC is an independent member within the Certified Collectibles Group. CCG companies also include Numismatic Guaranty Corporation, Paper Money Guaranty, Authenticated Stamp Guaranty and Collectibles Authentication Guaranty.

According to a press release, trading cards have grown in popularity since the release of Magic: The Gathering in 1993 and Pokémon TCG in 1996. Tens of billions of cards have been sold to collectors and players around the world. In recent years, prices have risen for many early and rare cards, leading to a need for services to authenticate, grade and encapsulate trading cards.

CGC Trading Cards grades trading cards on a 10-point scale similar to the one used by CGC to grade comic books and other collectibles. Every card submitted is examined by professionals with the aid of advanced authentication and grading equipment, including devices that perform ultra-microscopic inspections and calculate centering, the release says.

"We are excited to bring our expertise, impartiality and proven track record to the trading card collecting community," says CCG Chairman Mark Salzberg in a statement. "CGC Trading Cards will serve the hobby with unmatched accuracy, integrity and protection."

CGC is a third-party grading service for comic books, magazines, concert posters and related collectibles, with more than 6 million collectibles certified. The company was founded in 2000. The CCG companies have certified more than 55 million collectibles since 1987 and have offices and Official Submission Centers in 11 countries. Certified Collectibles Group reported more than $100 million in revenue in 2018.