CGC started grading action figures in 2021. Six years later, their AFA-grade case is the gold standard — but most collectors have never seen the inside of the facility.
The intake
When you ship a figure to CGC, it lands in Sarasota, Florida. The intake team logs the package, opens it under camera, and assigns it a tracking number. The figure is photographed against a gridded background before anyone touches it.
The grading
A grader examines the figure in three categories:
- The figure itself (paint, joints, wear)
- The packaging (corners, creases, blister condition)
- The presentation (centering of the figure in the blister, card curl, stand placement if applicable)
Each category gets a sub-grade from 1 to 100. The lowest sub-grade becomes the overall grade. So a figure with perfect paint but a creased card can land at 75.
What you get back
A sonically-sealed acrylic case with:
- The figure mounted on a custom-fit backer
- A CGC label with the assigned grade and sub-grades
- A unique QR code linking to the certification database
- A serialized hologram that ties the case to the figure inside
The case is designed so that any attempt to open it destroys the seal. Buyers can scan the QR code and confirm the figure inside matches the database.
Why it matters
A pre-CGC market meant buyers relied on seller reputation and photos. A graded figure is a portable certificate of authenticity. The grading fee ($50–$150 depending on service level) is built into the buyer’s premium — they’re paying for liquidity, not the grade itself.
What it doesn’t do
CGC doesn’t authenticate signatures, doesn’t confirm first-print runs, and doesn’t catch repaints on the figure itself if they’re subtle. A grade tells you condition, not necessarily originality.
If you’re spending serious money, send the figure to a third-party authenticator before grading. Then grade it. The extra week is worth the confidence.