I’ve recently fallen back into a childhood hobby: collecting Pokémon cards. Along the way I’ve been buying graded cards whenever I spot a decent deal. Out of curiosity, I decided to try cross grading some of these cards at ACE Grading.
Why ACE? It feels more established than many of the newer UK graders, the slabs look better, and I think its long-term viability is stronger. So, I took cards originally graded by GetGraded, Arkezon and PG Grading, sent them to ACE, and compared the outcomes.
The results were more interesting than expected.
GetGrade - 2019 - Lusamine - All Stars Collection - 160/158 - Secret Rare - Chinese - Set A
- GetGraded Rating: 9.5 (Cert: 666379)
- Ace Grading Rating: 10 (Cert: 615673)
Notes: A strong bump from 9.5 to 10. Surprising given the original slab presentation.
GetGraded - 2021 - Gengar VMAX - Fusion Strike - 157/264 - Holo
- GetGraded Rating: 10 (Cert: 664878)
- Ace Grading Rating: 10 (Cert: 615674)
Notes: No change, which is reassuring for both graders.
GetGraded - 2025 - Hearthflame Mask Ogerpon ex - Prismatic Evolutions - 148/131 - Special Illustration Rare - Rating: 9.5
- GetGraded Rating: 9.5 (Cert: 674024)
- Ace Grading Rating: 9 (Cert: 615675)
Notes: A slight drop at ACE. Possibly something in the surface or corners ACE marked down more harshly.
PG Grading - 2001 - Lugia - Topps Pokemon Johto Series 3 - 249 - Europe Edition
- PG Grading Rating: 8.5 (Cert: 86092)
- Ace Grading Rating: 7 (Cert: 615672)
Notes: A sizeable downgrade. PG Grading appears far more lenient with non-TCG cards in particular.
Arkezon - 2023 - Sandygast - Clay Burst - 075/071 - Secret Rare - Janapense - Rating: 9.5
- Arkezon Rating: 9.5 (Cert: 3532808)
- Ace Grading Rating: 10 (Cert: 638288)
Notes: Such as surprise on this grade.
Thoughts on the graders
GetGraded
- Inconsistent slab quality.
- Many certificates lack images or any detail at all.
- Penny sleeves inside slabs are disappointing.
- Despite this, two cards held up well at ACE and one even increased to a 10.
ACE Grading
- Strong slabs with clean labels and solid brand reputation.
- Easy enough to get grading slots, especially at the premium tier.
- Some occasional issues with sub-grade consistency, but overall very reliable.
- Difficult to get hold of spots for grading.
Arkezon
- Low-quality slab.
- Noticeable “squeak” when handled.
- Card details on the label are minimal, not helpful, and feel unfinished.
- Recommendation: avoid.
PG Grading
- More lenient than ACE based on this test.
- Slabs are serviceable but not competitive with ACE for presentation or consistency.
Summary on grading
Cross grading turned out to be a helpful way to compare the standards of different UK graders. ACE consistently came across as the stricter and more professional option. GetGraded was mixed but not disastrous. PG Grading and Arkezon were noticeably weaker, with Arkezon in particular feeling more like a novelty slab than a serious grading service.
If you’re collecting for long-term value or display quality, ACE seems the best bet in the UK market at the moment.