Grading, Authentication, and the Future of Toy Collecting Standards

A decade ago, third-party grading for toys barely existed. Today, CGC grades more action figures in a quarter than were professionally authenticated in the entire 1990s. The transformation has been rapid, consequential, and imperfect. This deep dive covers the mechanics of grading, the business model behind the major services, the common failure modes, and where the industry is heading. The…