MBA Crossover Grading
Mine For Diamonds with an MBA Second Opinion.
Have you ever questioned why values range so widely within the same grade and between grading companies? Each company sets their own grading standards and quality control, and the grades do not always reflect the eye appeal and unique characteristics of a trading card. MBA Crossover Grading is statistically proven to identify cards which warrant special attention and realize higher market values, generally identifying cards in the upper echelon of the existing market — delivered via two distinct services described below.
Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Black Diamonds are awarded to 3rd party graded cards based on how MBA's independent assessment compares to the assigned grade — Bronze for equivalent grades, Silver for superior eye appeal, Gold for a higher technical grade, and Black for the rare Pristine examples. The Diamond Certification allows owners to maintain the existing 3rd party slab and also obtain the second opinion grade from MBA. Best of both worlds.
- Card stays in its original 3rd party slab
- Tamper-proof MBA holographic label affixed to the case
- MBA second-opinion grade published on the report card
- Standard turnaround time rates
MBA documents the existing 3rd party grade with a high-resolution image — the MBA Provenance Image — and then transfers the trading card into an MBA slab. The Provenance Image is hosted on the MBA report card alongside the new MBA slab images, providing a historical record of the prior grade for collectors who wish to document the original technical grade.
- Original 3rd party slab is documented, then opened
- Card is sealed in a new MBA slab
- Provenance Image preserves the original grade on the report card
- If the card was previously Diamond Certified by MBA, the Final Value Fee is reduced (1% vs 3%)
The Diamond Certification Crossover service leverages the MBA 10-point grading process to assess every trading card for both technical condition and eye appeal, delivering an independent MBA assessment alongside the existing technical grade. Cards that meet MBA's grading standards are awarded a tamper-proof Diamond Certified holographic label, prominently applied to the jewel case directly below the authenticator label. All Diamond Certified trading cards are included in the searchable MBA certification database.
Cards that receive a Bronze Diamond Certification are confirmed as having an equivalent MBA grade to the previously assigned 3rd party grade.
Cards that receive a Silver Diamond Certification possess superior eye appeal for the assigned technical grade, generally representing the top 15% of the population for that grade. The technical grade itself agrees with MBA's grading standard.
Cards that receive a Gold Diamond Certification are determined worthy of a higher technical grade from MBA. These are truly exceptional examples within the assigned technical grade, generally representing the top 5% of the population, for that grade. A Diamond Certified trading card must achieve a 0.5 technical grade increase, or higher, to receive the Gold Diamond designation. The technical grading awarded can be viewed on the MBA report card, or found through MBA's searchable certification database.
Cards that receive a Black Diamond Certification are virtually flawless and worthy of the highest possible technical grade. The MBA Black Diamond Certification is the only certification that corresponds to a specific technical grade, above Pristine, representing the top 0.01% of the market. Black Diamond Certified cards are crossed into a dedicated MBA Black Diamond slab.
Any Diamond Certified trading card can be crossed into an MBA slab at the time of certification or at any point in the future — the assigned grade and tier travel with the card.
How Provenance Crossover Works
MBA Provenance Crossover transfers your card from its original 3rd party slab into a new MBA slab while preserving a high-resolution Provenance Image of the original grading label. This is the path for collectors who want their cards in an MBA slab and want to document the prior 3rd party grade as part of the MBA report card.
Two pricing branches apply, depending on whether the card was previously Diamond Certified by MBA:
- Previously Diamond Certified — the MBA grade is already on file. Crossed cards are charged standard rates from $0–$1,000 and 1% on excess over $1,000. The FVF is credited back to your account if you were also the submitter on the original Diamond Certification.
- No Prior Diamond Certification — you specify the acceptable minimum MBA grade for the cross. If the MBA grade meets or exceeds your minimum, the card is sealed into a new MBA slab and charged standard rates from $0–$1,000 and 3% on excess over $1,000. If the MBA grade falls below your stated minimum, the card is returned in its original 3rd party slab and you are charged the picked turn-time fee only.
Prices
| Market Value | FVF* |
|---|---|
| Up to $100 | $15 |
| Up to $250 | $20 |
| Up to $500 | $25 |
| Up to $1,000 | $35 |
| Over $1,000 | +1-4% on excess |
*All turn-time service fees are credited towards FVFs and only cards which receive Diamond Certification are subjected to FVFs. FVFs range from 1-4% of estimated market value: Bronze Diamond = 1%, Silver Diamond = 2%, Gold Diamond = 3%, and Black Diamond = 4% on values above $1000.
| Market Value | FVF* |
|---|---|
| Up to $100 | $15 |
| Up to $250 | $20 |
| Up to $500 | $25 |
| Up to $1,000 | $35 |
| Over $1,000 | +1% or 3% on excess |
*All turn-time service fees are credited towards FVFs and only cards which meet the minimum grade requested and cross into an MBA slab are charged FVFs. On values over $1000, the FVF is 3% of estimated market value. Note: FVFs are just 1% on previously Diamond Certified cards (this 1% is also credited back to your account if you were the original submitter for the prior Diamond Certification service). Cards that grade below the stated minimum are returned in the original 3rd party slab and charged the turn-time fee only.