Cracking and Regrading – When (and Why) It Might Make Sense

This article is written for Dedicated Hobbyists and High-End Collectors who are considering cracking and regrading cards to improve their collection or unlock extra value.

What is cracking and regrading?

Cracking is the process of removing a card from an existing slab – usually from a previous grading company – in order to have it regraded. Sometimes it’s called a cross grade when you’re transferring a card from one grader to another.

There are plenty of reasons collectors choose to do this, but it’s not a decision to take lightly. Done correctly, it can unlock extra value, complete a set, or correct a misgrade. Done incorrectly, it can permanently damage the card.

Why people crack and regrade

• To chase a higher grade – A card stuck with an 8 might be worthy of a 9 or even a 10 upon re-evaluation. One extra grade can significantly change its resale value.
• To unify a set – Some collectors want every card in the same style of slab. Cracking and regrading allows you to replace a PSA or CGC case with an MGC slab for a cleaner, more consistent display.
• To correct a poor original grade – Unfortunately, not all card grading companies are consistent. We’ve seen cards that were very obviously undergraded – and a few that were wildly overgraded too.

Why you should never crack a slab yourself

This part is critical: never attempt to crack a slab on your own. It’s easy to slip, damage the card, or create marks that will hurt your new grade. If you’re considering a regrade, send us the slab as-is.

Our team can professionally crack the case under controlled conditions, ensuring the card remains untouched and undamaged. Once cracked, it will be reinspected and authenticated just like any other submission. You’ll get a fair, expert reassessment based on MGC’s consistent grading standards.

We’ve seen some shockers

It’s worth saying: we’ve cracked and regraded thousands of cards – and we’ve seen some true grading disasters. Cards graded far too high or far too low. Truly perfect 10s graded with an 8. Obviously damaged cards labelled as mint. It happens more often than you’d think.

This is exactly why serious collectors use trusted card grading companies like MGC – the UK’s No.1 grading company, and the only UK grader approved on eBay for both Pokémon and sports cards. When accuracy and credibility matter, cutting corners is a risk you can’t afford.

When it makes sense to regrade

• You’re building a full set in MGC slabs
• You think a card was unfairly graded by another company
• You’ve acquired a card with a grade that looks too low (or too generous)
• You want to increase trust and market value before selling

For the highest value cards or bulk collections, our Premium Collector Consultation is a good place to start. We’ll help you decide which cards are worth cracking – and what the potential risks and rewards are. And for more modest sized collection – you can submit your cards for grading in the normal way!

How to get cards regraded safely

If you’re ready to get cards graded (or regraded), just send them to us in their existing slabs. Make a note in your submission form that you’re requesting a crack and regrade, and we’ll handle the rest.

We recommend joining our MGC Membership for access to bulk discounts – especially if you’re planning to cross over multiple cards.

Trust matters in regrading

If you’re investing time and money into high-value cards, don’t leave your results to chance. The best card grading service doesn’t just give you a number – it gives you peace of mind.

At MGC, we’re known for consistent, transparent grading that holds its value in the market. That’s what makes us the best card grading company for collectors looking to take their slabs – and their collections – to the next level.

Submit your cards with MGC – the UK’s trusted name in grading and regrading.