ACE Grading (ACE): Complete Guide

In trading cards, “ACE Grading” most commonly refers to the UK-based card grading service at acegrading.com operated by ACE GRADING LIMITED (Company No. 13365699). “ACE” can also refer to unrelated things (the general word “ace”, unrelated companies, or other acronyms), but those do not match the trading-card grading context and do not align with the official site + UK company registry record (acegrading.com, Companies House).

Quick facts

Where ACE Grading fits in the grading market

ACE Grading is best understood as a UK-first grader with a strong product pitch around speed options (2–80 business days) and process transparency (centering ratios and optional grading reports), but with resale liquidity that can be region-dependent and often discounted versus PSA/BGS in US-centric markets (Turnaround explainer, Grading reports, Reddit sentiment threads linked below).

Qualitatively (based on official claims + community behavior, not a single authoritative premium dataset):

• Versus PSA: PSA tends to be treated as the default “accepted grade” standard in many global resale settings; some collectors explicitly advise waiting for PSA/US options when grading primarily for resale (example in community discussion: Pokemoncardappraisal thread). Ace’s advantage is shorter/clearer tier menus and local submission flow for UK/EU (Pricing, How to submit).
• Versus BGS: BGS is typically used for subgrades / high-end trophy outcomes, while Ace’s differentiation is the combination of centering measurement + grading report UX + custom labels; market trust differs by buyer pool (Ace’s own grading-report and scale docs; community resale comments: PokeGrading resale thread) (Grading scale, Grading reports).
• Versus SGC/CGC/TAG: In practice, UK collectors often compare “local” convenience and turnaround against shipping friction and wait times for US graders (example: a UK collector comment comparing Ace to TAG availability in the UK: PokeGrading resale thread). Ace’s published centering thresholds and grading report tooling are closer to “transparent” positioning than many legacy graders (Grading scale, Grading reports).

Services offered

Officially documented services include:

• Card grading tiers (per card): Basic, Standard, Premier, Ultra, Luxury with stated “estimated turnaround” in business days (Pricing, Turnaround explainer).
• Re-holder / Crossover / Authentication: priced separately per service level (see the “Grading Re-holder, Crossover & Authentication” column) (Cost to submit).
• Crossover submissions (explicitly allowed): “Yes! We offer our Crossover service for this.” (Crossover FAQ).
• Add-ons:
  • Label options: Standard (free), Colour Match (£1), ACE Label (£3) (Label options, Pricing).
  • Grading Reports: purchasable for eligible certs via Certification Lookup or cart; older cert numbers are not eligible (details below) (Grading reports).
• Submission-slot gating: service levels can “fill up fast”; they temporarily close service levels to protect turnaround times (Submission slots).

Dealer/partner programs: Unknown from primary sources used here (the official nav references “Select Member Program” but details are outside the scope verified for this write-up) (acegrading.com).

Grading scale and standards (deep dive)

The scale and grade definitions

Ace publishes grade names 10 → 1 (Gem Mint down to Poor) and provides written descriptions for each grade band, including explicit centering ratio thresholds (front and back) (Grading scale).

Centering / corners / edges / surface (as published)

• Centering:
  • Ace states centering is measured with “1/1000th of a millimeter accuracy” and converted into left/right/top/bottom percentages for front/back (Grading scale).
  • Published centering thresholds include (examples): Ace 10 “less than a 60/40 split”, Ace 9 “greater than 65/35 front and 70/30 rear”, and additional grade-specific thresholds throughout the scale (Grading scale).
• Corners: checked for “corner sharpness, damage and integrity” (Grading scale).
• Edges: inspected for “chipping… kinks… splitting” and “colouration, damage, sharpness and integrity” (Grading scale).
• Surfaces: inspected for “print defects, rubbing, scratches and dents” (and more), with foil/holo called out as scratch-prone (Grading scale).

Human vs hybrid vs tech-first process (what they claim)

Ace describes a hybrid approach: centering measurement is treated as objective, while some defect interpretation (e.g., factory print imperfections) is described as more subjective, handled by “expert graders” (Grading reports). Ace also states it uses “multiple technological methods” to check for alteration/authenticity and references “forensic level analysis equipment” in its FAQ (Grading scale, Grading reports).

How to interpret the label (concrete example)

Example: if a label shows Ace 9 overall with a lowest subgrade of 5 (e.g., Edges), Ace states the total grade is capped so that “no Ace graded card will have a total grade of more than one grade higher than the lowest subgrade” (so a “5” subgrade caps at Ace 6) (Grading reports).

Slab, label, and security features

Holder and basic construction claims

Ace markets “our high quality, crystal clear slab” as protective and “premium” for display (acegrading.com).

Label options (published)

Ace documents three label types:

• Standard label: black/gold highlights; free (Label options).
• Colour Match label: highlights “2 most prominent colours”; £1 per card (Label options).
• ACE Label: “in-house illustrators extend and enhance the cards design” for a bespoke label; £3 per card (Label options).

Anti-counterfeit / tamper features

Unknown. No explicit public documentation was found in the official sources used here describing QR codes, NFC, holograms, weld patterns, or anti-tamper engineering claims for the holder. Use Certification Lookup + grading report access as the primary verification layer, and buy with strong photo evidence if you’re transacting second-hand (Certification lookup, Grading reports).

Label/version changes over time

Ace states older certs “prior to 07286” are not eligible for grading reports due to a backend overhaul, but also states “our grading scale and algorithm have not changed” (Grading reports).

Verification and data tools

Cert lookup workflow (step-by-step)

1. Go to Certification Lookup.
2. Enter the certification number from the label (Unverified: the exact UI field name is not visible in the text extraction, but Ace repeatedly references cert lookup as the gateway to view/purchase reports) (Grading reports).
3. If eligible, purchase/view the grading report from that page or via your dashboard (Grading reports).

Pop report limitations

Ace’s public population report is filter-driven and appears to include both TCG and sports brands; it also shows a global “cards graded” count (622,736 captured 2025-12-24). Like all pop reports, it reflects what was submitted and encapsulated, not the total universe of cards in existence (Pop report).

Registry mechanics

Unknown (no official registry surfaced in documentation reviewed here) (acegrading.com, FAQ).

Grader notes / reports (if any)

Ace sells optional Grading Reports designed to explain grades via:

• Points of Interest (PoI) markers and explanations
• Additional Observations
• Explanations of why overall grade can differ from subgrades
• Eligibility note: cert numbers “prior to 07286 are not eligible for a Grading Report” (Grading reports).

Pricing and turnaround (how it works, not just numbers)

Pricing model

ACE’s pricing is tiered by service level (per card) and they explicitly state:

• All services are charged per card
• Labels are priced separately
• Shipping costs are not included in the service-level prices (Pricing, Cost to submit).

Ace requests payment at the end of the process, after grading is complete and before cards are returned; they “do not request any payment upfront” (Payment timing).

Declared value, insurance, and compensation (important)

Ace uses a “Fair Market Value Policy” for loss/damage compensation, with maximum compensation per card tied to service level (Basic £500 → Luxury £10,000). Ace states it accepts cards of all value on all service levels “without additional charge,” but customers are responsible for choosing the tier that matches value because compensation is capped by tier (Fair market value policy).

Stated turnaround time (official) vs user-reported reality

• Official: Turnaround times are “estimations… not guaranteed deadlines,” start on the “first full business day,” end “when the invoice is sent,” and do not include shipping times (Turnaround explainer).
• User-reported: Some users report fast returns on higher tiers; others report delays and/or “middleman” bottlenecks (examples: Ace delays thread, Trustpilot entries on turnaround and service, e.g. the page summary and dated reviews: Trustpilot).

Current prices and stated TAT (verified 2025-12-24)

Submission experience

Step-by-step submission overview (official flow)

1. Choose cards and quantity (How to submit).
2. Put each card in a clear sleeve + semi-rigid holder (Ace claims this guarantees “no handling… until the actual grading process”) (How to submit, Packaging tips).
3. Submit online via “Submit” and select service level; add card details (How to submit).
4. Pack cards securely and include submission slip; attach submission number/barcode to the outside (per instructions) (How to submit, Packaging tips).
5. Ship to the published address (Banbury, UK) (How to submit).

Packaging rules + common pitfalls

From Ace’s own guidance:

• Use penny sleeve + semi-rigid holder (one card per holder) (Packaging tips).
• Don’t bind cards with elastic bands; use packing paper/bubble wrap; use a sturdy box (Packaging tips).
• Put the barcode/submission number on the outside or it may cause delays (Packaging tips).
• If you don’t use semi-rigids, Ace says they will re-holder on arrival (except patch/thicker cards) (Packaging tips).

Resale liquidity: what happens on the secondary market

ACE slabs can be easier to sell in UK/EU collector circles than in US-centric buyer pools, but resale liquidity commonly trails PSA/BGS for “investment-first” comps. Recurring buyer objections seen in community discussions include:

• “Not taken seriously in the states” / liquidity concerns outside the UK (example: PokeGrading resale thread).
• “PSA is the standard” when selling at shows and mainstream markets (example: Pokemoncardappraisal thread).

How sellers overcome objections (practical):

• Provide the certification lookup and (if available) a purchased grading report to reduce “why did it grade that?” friction (Certification lookup, Grading reports).
• Price realistically vs PSA comps; treat Ace’s transparency and label aesthetics as “value-add,” not a guaranteed premium (community sentiment: PokeGrading resale thread, Trustpilot).

Public opinion: Reddit, X, and hobby communities

5–10 recurring positive themes (with representative sources)

• Transparency: published centering ratios and optional reports help buyers understand grades (Grading scale, Grading reports).
• Faster tier options compared to US shipping timelines (common UK collector framing) (Turnaround explainer, PokeGrading resale thread).
• Slab presentation and label aesthetics are frequently mentioned as a reason to choose Ace (acegrading.com, PokemonTCG_UK “10s look terrible” thread).
• User dashboard and tracking called out in both official marketing and reviews (Pricing, Trustpilot).
• High-tier submissions can feel “fast” in practice (anecdotal reviews) (Trustpilot, Ace delays thread).

5–10 recurring negative themes (with representative sources)

• Resale value and market trust weaker than PSA/BGS (especially outside the UK) (PokeGrading resale thread, Pokemoncardappraisal thread).
• Grading consistency skepticism (some users cite seeing “Ace 10s” they think wouldn’t cross elsewhere; this is opinion, not verified) (PokeGrading Ace grading thread, PokemonTCG_UK “10s look terrible” thread).
• Service levels filling up / slot availability friction (Submission slots).
• Customer service complaints exist alongside positive reviews (example review excerpts and “Top mentions” on Trustpilot) (Trustpilot).
• Payment timing confusion: Ace invoices at the end, not upfront (new users can misinterpret this as delay) (Payment timing, Ace delays thread).

Most common misconceptions

• “Turnaround time includes shipping”: Ace explicitly says shipping time is not included and turnaround ends when the invoice is sent (Turnaround explainer).
• “You pay upfront”: Ace explicitly says they request payment at the end and do not request any payment upfront (Payment timing).
• “Subgrades alone determine the grade”: Ace states it does not “solely rely” on subgrades and uses Points of Interest/observations + its grading algorithm (Grading reports).

Controversies, trust signals, and red flags

What was searched

• Official policies for loss/damage/compensation, stolen cards, grading disputes, delayed submissions, and submission-slot limits (all in Ace’s knowledge base) (Help sitemap).

Findings (official, verifiable)

• Loss/damage compensation is tier-capped (Basic £500 → Luxury £10,000) and Ace reserves final determination; compensation may be ACE Credit or (at their discretion) BACs payment (Fair market value policy).
• Stolen cards: Ace says it can deactivate cert numbers for stolen cards, but cannot “prove” theft, cannot block submissions, and requires police report + proof of purchase/trade in some cases (Stolen cards policy).
• Grading disputes: Ace states it does not operate a dedicated grade review service; it may re-assess only for objective error and imposes confidentiality conditions around re-assessment outcomes (Grading dispute policy).
• Turnaround times are estimates and defined as ending at invoice issuance, not delivery; shipping is excluded (Turnaround explainer).

Who should use ACE Grading (and who shouldn’t)

Use ACE if…

• You are UK/EU-based and want clear service tiers and turnaround estimates without international shipping friction (Pricing, How to submit).
• You value published standards (centering thresholds) and the option to buy grading reports to reduce buyer uncertainty (Grading scale, Grading reports).
• Your card value fits comfortably within the tier’s compensation cap, and you’ve chosen the tier accordingly (Fair market value policy).

Avoid ACE (or be selective) if…

• Your main goal is maximum resale liquidity in US-centric markets (community feedback repeatedly emphasizes PSA as a default) (Pokemoncardappraisal thread).
• You want a grader with the deepest historical market trust for high-end investment cards (PSA/BGS/SGC/CGC dominated buyer expectations in many segments; again, reflected in community behavior) (PokeGrading resale thread).

Comparison snapshot

Rationale sources: Ace’s official transparency and pricing/tier docs (Pricing, Grading scale, Grading reports, Turnaround explainer), and buyer-behavior indicators from community discussions about PSA as “standard” and about Ace resale value outside the UK (Pokemoncardappraisal thread, PokeGrading resale thread).

FAQs

Is ACE Grading legit?

Ace’s legal entity (ACE GRADING LIMITED) is listed as an Active UK company (Company No. 13365699), incorporated 29 April 2021, and it publishes a full submission flow, grading scale, and policies (Companies House, acegrading.com, Grading scale).

How do I verify an ACE cert number?

Use Ace’s Certification Lookup. Ace also states grading reports can be purchased from that page for eligible certs (Grading reports).

Does ACE have a pop report?

Yes. Ace publishes a population report at acegrading.com/pop and shows a global count of “cards graded by Ace Grading” (622,736 captured 2025-12-24) (Pop report).

Does ACE have a registry?

Unknown from official sources reviewed here (no registry was found in the official navigation or help center) (acegrading.com, FAQ).

Does ACE include subgrades?

Ace markets “Free Subgrades” and states you get corners/edges/surfaces/centering information. It also describes subgrade mechanics in its grading report documentation (acegrading.com, Grading reports).

What is ACE’s top grade?

Ace publishes “10 - GEM MINT” as the top grade label in its grading scale (Grading scale).

What centering does ACE require for a 10?

Ace’s grading scale states Ace 10 centering is “less than a 60/40 split” (Grading scale).

When does the turnaround clock start and end?

Ace states turnaround starts from the first full business day and ends when the invoice is sent, excluding shipping times (Turnaround explainer).

When do I pay ACE?

Ace states it invoices at the end of the process and does not request any payment upfront (Payment timing).

What is the maximum compensation if my card is lost/damaged?

It’s tier-capped (Basic £500 → Luxury £10,000 per card), per Ace’s Fair Market Value Policy (Fair market value policy).

What happens if my graded card is stolen later?

Ace says it can deactivate the cert number but cannot prove theft, block submissions, or get involved in sale/trade disputes; it requests a police report and cert numbers, plus proof of purchase/trade for non-original submitters (Stolen cards policy).

Can I submit a card already graded by another company?

Yes: Ace says it offers a Crossover service (Crossover FAQ).

Does ACE offer grade reviews / regrades if I disagree?

Ace states it does not run a dedicated grade review service; it may re-assess only if an objective error is identified, and it describes confidentiality constraints around re-assessment (Grading dispute policy).

Will grading with ACE add value versus PSA?

Often not on global resale (especially US buyers) unless your buyer pool already values Ace slabs. Community comments regularly treat PSA as the “standard accepted” slab and note Ace resale discounts in some markets (Pokemoncardappraisal thread, PokeGrading resale thread).

Sources

Official

• https://acegrading.com/
• https://acegrading.com/pricing
• https://acegrading.com/how-to-submit
• https://acegrading.com/grading-scale
• https://acegrading.com/grading-reports
• https://acegrading.com/cert
• https://acegrading.com/pop
• https://help.acegrading.com/en/
• https://help.acegrading.com/sitemap.xml
• https://help.acegrading.com/en/article/when-will-more-submission-slots-be-opened-1mign7h/
• https://help.acegrading.com/en/article/how-long-is-the-turnaround-time-for-my-submission-p9oyku/
• https://help.acegrading.com/en/article/when-do-i-pay-for-my-submission-1deekj1/
• https://help.acegrading.com/en/article/how-much-does-it-cost-to-submit-with-ace-grading-aqyv7u/
• https://help.acegrading.com/en/article/what-labels-can-i-choose-for-my-submission-daruol/
• https://help.acegrading.com/en/article/how-should-i-package-my-cards-to-send-in-t2fm16/
• https://help.acegrading.com/en/article/can-i-submit-a-card-that-has-been-graded-by-another-company-xif3cj/
• https://help.acegrading.com/en/article/fair-market-value-policy-16so65u/
• https://help.acegrading.com/en/article/what-happens-if-my-cards-have-been-stolen-1os1opl/
• https://help.acegrading.com/en/article/grading-dispute-policy-1gvppu9/

Reputable hobby/news

• https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/13365699

Community sentiment (Reddit/X/forums)

• https://www.reddit.com/r/PokemonTCG_UK/comments/1psph88/ace_grading_delays/
• https://www.reddit.com/r/PokemonTCG_UK/comments/1p8a1af/ace_grading_10s_look_terrible_or_just_me/
• https://www.reddit.com/r/PokeGrading/comments/1pgs5q4/what_do_you_guys_think_of_ace_in_terms_of/
• https://www.reddit.com/r/Pokemoncardappraisal/comments/1pgs70q/what_do_you_guys_think_of_ace_in_terms_of/
• https://www.reddit.com/r/PokeGrading/comments/1pe34yb/ace_grading/
• https://www.reddit.com/r/pokemongrading/comments/1pe35lh/ace_grading/
• https://www.reddit.com/r/PokemonTCGNL/comments/1p9ijk1/ace_grading/
• https://www.trustpilot.com/review/acegrading.com
• https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=ACE+Grading+TCG
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dKPNCwuo9FA
• https://x.com/ace_grading

Directories/reference lists

• None used for key claims in this write-up.

Score explanations (with sources)

• Market acceptance (5/10): active UK/EU mindshare and visibility, but community resale discussions repeatedly frame PSA as the “standard” and cite weaker US acceptance (Pokemoncardappraisal thread, PokeGrading resale thread).
• Transparency (8/10): detailed published grading scale (including centering thresholds) and an optional grading report system with Points of Interest and eligibility rules (Grading scale, Grading reports).
• Value for money (7/10): comparatively low entry price for Basic/Standard tiers with tier-capped compensation clarity; label costs are disclosed and payment is not upfront (reduces some friction), but buyer resale discounts can reduce “value” if your goal is selling fast (Pricing, Cost to submit, Fair market value policy, PokeGrading resale thread).
• Resale liquidity (4/10): community comments indicate more buyer resistance and lower resale premiums than PSA/BGS, especially outside the UK; you can sell, but often with a discount and more buyer education effort (Pokemoncardappraisal thread, PokeGrading resale thread).