Knowing that baseball card companies turn out baseball cards by the millions every year makes finding a mint example of any baseball card a rare find.

Baseball card grading companies also worked very diligently to ensure that baseball card has not been trimmed or altered in any way. There are some very sophisticated paper cutters on the market today that can laser cut a sliver of a baseball card to get it for sharp corners and thus increase the value.

Baseball card grading experts that are truly good at what they do spot shaped cards are cut cards by measuring the card with a micrometer. If all this seems sophisticated for assigning a grade to a baseball card, it is. There is big money to be made from mint condition or gem mint condition baseball cards. There are a number of leading baseball card grading companies and prices range anywhere from $30-$40 per card down to about a dollar per card depending on which company you choose.

Baseball card grading is popular because of the added value it gives a collectors cards. For example, in 1989 Ken Griffey upper deck rookie card might be worth $50 however, a gem mint example might bring several hundred. That is why baseball card grading has become so popular. Another added benefit is that the acrylic holders protect cards from handling by the collector. Baseball cards are not just for kids anymore and collectors are willing to spend thousands of dollars for cards that have been graded properly.