Yes, MINT grading services are still around, though the answer is more complicated than a simple yes or no. There are actually multiple companies using “Mint” or “MNT” in their names, and they operate with varying levels of recognition in the Pokemon card market. The most established of these is MNT Grading, which continues to accept card submissions through its website (mntgrading.com) with multiple turnaround options ranging from 2-Day express processing to 30-Day standard submissions.
For example, if you submit a Charizard or other high-value Pokemon card to MNT Grading today, you’d have the option to choose your preferred timeline based on your budget and how quickly you need the card back. The short answer is yes, these services exist and are operational, but they’re not household names in the hobby like PSA, BGS, or CGC. Understanding which MINT service you’re considering and what role it can play in your collection is important before you submit cards. The market position of these grading companies is fundamentally different from the major players, which affects both how much grading will cost and whether other collectors or platforms will recognize the grade you receive.
Table of Contents
- ARE THERE MULTIPLE “MINT” GRADING COMPANIES?
- WHAT ARE THE CURRENT SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS FOR MNT GRADING?
- WHAT CARDS CAN BE GRADED BY MINT SERVICES?
- HOW DO MINT GRADING SERVICES COMPARE TO PSA, BGS, AND CGC?
- WHY HASN’T MINT ACHIEVED WIDER RECOGNITION?
- WHAT ARE THE CURRENT PRICING AND TURNAROUND OPTIONS?
- WHAT’S THE FUTURE OUTLOOK FOR MINT GRADING?
- Conclusion
ARE THERE MULTIPLE “MINT” GRADING COMPANIES?
Yes, there are at least two distinct companies operating under similar names. mnt Grading operates mntgrading.com, while a separate company called Mint Grading Company operates mintgradingcompany.com. These are not the same business, and they have different pricing structures, policies, and service models.
This confusion has led to some discussion in the collector community, with forums like Sports Card Forum seeing questions from collectors who aren’t sure which service they’re dealing with or whether either one is legitimate. Mint Grading Company, the separate entity, charges $12 per slab and offers an unusual policy: if you disagree with the grade assigned to your card, you can request to receive the card back unslabbed rather than keep it in the holder. This is a customer-friendly approach that acknowledges the subjective nature of grading, though it does mean if you want a card back ungraded, you’re out the $12 fee. Understanding which company you’re working with before submitting cards is important because their standards, turnaround times, and slab designs differ.
WHAT ARE THE CURRENT SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS FOR MNT GRADING?
MNT Grading recently lowered its bulk submission minimums as of 2025-2026, making it more accessible to collectors who don’t have large batches of cards to submit at once. First Class Services now require a minimum of 10 cards, while Priority, Rush, and Standard services require a minimum of 20 cards. This is a meaningful change for smaller collectors who previously might have been locked out by higher minimums, though you still need to prepare multiple cards to use the service. The different service tiers exist to accommodate different needs and budgets.
If you have 15 cards you want graded and need them back quickly, you’d need to use the First Class option. If you have 25 cards and can wait, you’d have more choices. This structure means planning ahead is necessary—you can’t just submit a single valuable card on a whim the way you might with major grading companies. The 2-Day processing option is available, but only if you meet the minimum card requirements for that service tier.
WHAT CARDS CAN BE GRADED BY MINT SERVICES?
MNT Grading covers a broad range of trading cards, including Pokemon, Magic: The Gathering, baseball, basketball, and hockey cards. If you’re grading Pokemon cards specifically, you’re within their scope of services. However, there are specific technical specifications that matter: MNT only grades regular-sized cards measuring 2.5 by 3.5 inches and ranging from 35 points to 180 points in thickness.
This means standard Pokemon TCG cards are fine, but oversized cards, special editions, or unusually thick vintage cards might not meet their requirements. The thickness range is particularly worth understanding because thickness is measured in points, with 35 points being quite thin and 180 points being thick stock. Most modern Pokemon cards fall comfortably in this range, but older cards with unusual composition or special releases might exceed the maximum. Before submitting any cards, it’s worth checking MNT’s FAQ to confirm your specific cards meet their dimensional requirements, or you risk having submissions rejected.
HOW DO MINT GRADING SERVICES COMPARE TO PSA, BGS, AND CGC?
The most significant difference between MINT services and the major grading companies is market recognition and liquidity. PSA, BGS, and CGC slabs are widely recognized and accepted by major marketplaces like eBay, COMC (Cardboard Memories), and local card shops. COMC, one of the largest online card marketplaces, does not currently accept MNT slabs for its inventory, which means if you grade a card with MNT and later want to sell it through COMC, you’d have to remove it from the slab first. This limitation directly affects the value and resale ease of your graded cards.
Pricing is another key difference. MNT Grading is significantly cheaper than PSA or CGC, which appeals to collectors on a budget or those who are grading cards purely for personal collection purposes rather than investment or resale. For a collector building a set for personal enjoyment, MNT might be a perfectly reasonable option. For someone who plans to sell high-value cards or build a collection as an investment, the lack of industry-wide recognition is a serious drawback that outweighs the cost savings.
WHY HASN’T MINT ACHIEVED WIDER RECOGNITION?
The lack of major marketplace acceptance is the primary barrier to MINT Grading’s growth in the hobby. COMC’s decision not to accept MNT slabs is a significant bottleneck because COMC is where many serious collectors buy and sell cards. Without acceptance at major sales platforms, there’s limited incentive for collectors to use the service for expensive cards, which limits the service’s growth and reputation. This becomes a self-reinforcing cycle: fewer collectors use the service, so fewer platforms feel the need to support it.
Another factor is that MINT is relatively new compared to established graders like PSA, which has been around for decades. Collectors tend to trust what’s established and recognizable. New grading companies have to overcome both the institutional inertia of the hobby and collector skepticism about whether an unknown grader’s standards are consistent with industry norms. This isn’t a knock against MINT’s actual grading quality, which may be fine, but rather a reflection of how the hobby works—market leadership is difficult to overtake once established players have captured mindshare and infrastructure.
WHAT ARE THE CURRENT PRICING AND TURNAROUND OPTIONS?
MNT Grading offers multiple service tiers with different turnaround times and price points. The 2-Day option is express processing, while 30-Day is the standard economy option. In between are Priority and Rush services at intermediate speeds and prices. This tiered structure allows collectors to match their spending to their urgency.
If you have a high-value card and need it graded quickly, the 2-Day option is available. If you’re patient and cost-conscious, the 30-Day option saves money. The specific prices for each tier vary and are available on their website, but the key takeaway is that MINT services position themselves as a budget-conscious alternative to PSA and CGC. This pricing advantage is real and meaningful for collectors working with limited budgets or grading cards that aren’t valuable enough to justify premium grading costs. However, remember that this cost savings only provides value if you plan to use the cards within your own collection, since resale value may be limited due to lack of marketplace acceptance.
WHAT’S THE FUTURE OUTLOOK FOR MINT GRADING?
MNT Grading’s ability to gain market share depends largely on whether major marketplaces like COMC decide to accept their slabs in the future. The company appears committed to operations—it continues accepting submissions and maintains an active website—but broader industry adoption remains the critical variable. If COMC or other major platforms eventually recognize MNT slabs as acceptable inventory, the service could gain meaningful traction.
Until then, it remains a niche option for collectors who prioritize cost over resale potential. The existence of multiple companies using “Mint” in their name also creates ongoing potential for confusion in the hobby. As the market evolves, it’s possible that consolidation or clearer differentiation might occur, or that one service might gain dominance while others fade away. For collectors evaluating MINT services now, the practical question is whether their use case aligns with the service’s current limitations—if you’re building a personal collection and cost is a priority, MINT may work well; if you’re grading for investment or eventual resale, you’re likely better served by the established major graders.
Conclusion
MINT Grading services are definitely still in operation and actively accepting submissions, making them a viable option for Pokemon card collectors on a budget. However, the ecosystem around these services is significantly smaller and less recognized than what you’ll find with PSA, BGS, or CGC.
Before submitting cards to MNT Grading, it’s worth being clear about your goals—whether you’re grading for personal collection purposes or with eventual resale in mind—because that goal will determine whether the cost savings outweigh the marketplace recognition challenges. If you’re considering MINT Grading, take the time to verify which company you’re working with, confirm your cards meet their dimensional specifications, and understand that the grade you receive, while potentially legitimate, may not carry the same weight in the broader hobby market as slabs from established graders. For Pokemon cards specifically, this reality shouldn’t prevent you from using the service if cost is a primary concern, but it’s a trade-off you should enter with eyes open.
