The difference between graded and ungraded cards.
Raw cards
Ungraded. The card is loose (in a protective sleeve) and its condition is described rather than certified — for example Near Mint.
Condition descriptions are HOLO's assessment. They're careful and consistent, but they're our opinion rather than an independent verdict.
Graded cards
Assessed by an independent grading company, assigned a numeric grade, and sealed in a tamper-evident plastic slab with a unique certificate number.
A graded card shows:
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Grading company — PSA, Beckett and others
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Grade — usually 1 to 10, higher is better
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Certificate number — verifiable on the grader's own website
Why grading matters
Grading removes the argument about condition. A PSA 10 means the same thing to every collector, which is why graded cards usually command more than raw copies of the same card — sometimes dramatically more at the top grades.
Can I get a raw card graded?
Grading is done by third-party companies, not by HOLO. You'd need to ship the card to yourself first, then submit it to a grader directly.
The slab is part of the card
If you ship a graded card, it arrives in its slab. Breaking a slab open destroys the certification and generally the value with it.