Cracking Slabs: Why Do Grading Scores Change?
In an ideal world, grading a card would be as simple as submitting it once and receiving a definitive score—a number that reflects condition, rarity, and value.
But the reality?
Collectors are cracking slabs and resubmitting cards—sometimes to the same company—and getting completely different results.
This inconsistency raises real questions about the industry:
How reliable are current grading standards?
Are these changes due to better analysis—or just flawed processes?
And most importantly, how does it affect the value of your collection?
🔁 What Is “Cracking and Reslabbing”?
“Cracking” refers to breaking a card out of its original graded slab, typically in hopes of:
Getting a higher grade on resubmission
Correcting what a collector believes was an inaccurate evaluation
Regrading with a different company known for higher sale premiums
But the growing trend is exposing a flaw: many resubmitted cards come back with different grades—sometimes multiple times.
And not just from different companies. The same grader might give a different score weeks apart.
⚠️ Why Grading Inconsistencies Are a Serious Issue
Grading isn’t just about preservation. It’s now tied directly to financial value.
A 9.5 to a 10 bump on a key card can increase its market value by hundreds or thousands of dollars
Resellers use cracks and regrades to maximize returns
Casual collectors feel lost in a system where one-point swings feel arbitrary
Worse still, inconsistencies create a perception that grading is more about luck than objectivity.
That perception erodes trust—and once trust is gone, the entire grading ecosystem suffers.
🧪 Why Are Grades Changing So Often?
Several factors contribute to this issue:
1. Human subjectivity:
Most companies rely on individual graders. Each grader may interpret corners, edges, or centering differently—even if following guidelines.
2. Environmental variability:
Lighting, magnification quality, and viewing angles may differ from one inspection to the next.
3. Fatigue and volume pressure:
Grading thousands of cards daily leads to natural variance in accuracy and attention to detail.
4. Lack of transparency:
Many grading companies provide only a final score—no breakdown, no data, no visuals. This makes it difficult for collectors to verify consistency.
🧠 How AGS Addresses Grading Inconsistencies
At AGS, we saw this problem coming.
That’s why our entire grading process is built differently:
AI-driven evaluation ensures that lighting, measurements, and scoring are based on data—not human mood
High-resolution image analysis detects flaws with pixel-level precision
Every card gets a transparent breakdown of its condition—not just a single number
With AGS, the same card gets the same grade—every time. No regrade roulette. No second-guessing.
Explore how we grade with consistency at agscard.com or see tech breakdowns at info.agscard.com.
📉 What Grading Inconsistency Means for the Market
Flippers now exploit inconsistent grading for profit, submitting until they hit a favorable score.
Investors become cautious, unsure if their card’s grade actually reflects the true condition.
Collectors begin to lose faith, especially when crossover grading fails or big swings happen on minor flaws.
Ultimately, grading inconsistencies add uncertainty in a hobby that’s built on precision.
✅ How to Protect Yourself as a Collector
If you're navigating the current grading landscape, here are a few tips:
Choose companies with transparency. Look for grading reports, population data, and image documentation.
Avoid constant cracking/resubmitting. It weakens slabs and can damage cards over time.
Use AI-driven grading. Companies like AGS use consistent technology that doesn’t rely on human variance.
Document everything. Always take photos of your card before submission and after return.
🔍 Final Thought: Grading Should Earn Trust—Not Confuse It
The future of card collecting depends on grading companies stepping up.
Not just with labels—but with accountability.
You deserve a system that’s built on repeatability, transparency, and fairness.
That’s the promise AGS is working to deliver every day.