Did You Know? CGC Home Video Certifies Modified Rental Copies

VHS and Betamax collectors have flocked to the world-class certification services of CGC Home Video™ since its launch in early 2023, but many collectors may not realize the full scope of services that our experts provide. Not only does CGC Home Video authenticate and grade sealed and unsealed videocassettes, but our experts also certify another staple of home video's heyday: rental copies.

For years, home movie fans frequented local video rental establishments such as Blockbuster or Hollywood Video. The video rental industry began in the late 1970s, and flourished in the 1980s and 1990s, peaking in 2004 as a valued source for renting favorite movies of the past and present. Due to other movie rental sources, such as Netflix in its earliest days, Redbox and the growing popularity of streaming online, the majority of video rental shops closed their doors by the mid-2010s.

However, many of the rental tapes from these stores still hold value in today's collector market. CGC Home Video certifies rental "cut boxes" under the Modified Rental Copy category. Modified rental copies are rental copies that were at video stores, where the store either cut up the original box and placed it into a clamshell (often used at smaller stores) or replaced the artwork altogether with their own branded art sleeve and clamshell (typically used at larger chains like Blockbuster, Hollywood Video, Video Station and Family Video).

Since these rental copies do not include all of a VHS tape's original components, CGC Home Video cannot assign submitted rental copies with a grade. Instead, they will receive the "NG" (No Grade) designation, but they can be authenticated as original since they are collected items. For extremely rare tapes that have had their original box cut, the "Modified Rental Copy" designation allows submitters to still get their tapes authenticated by CGC Home Video.

It’s easy to submit your own home video collection to CGC Home Video. Simply become a CGC Home Video member (memberships start at just $25 per year), complete the user-friendly CGC Home Video online submission form and send in your VHS and Betamax videocassettes. Dealers are encouraged to apply to become a CGC Authorized Dealer by emailing CGC Home Video Customer Service at Service@CGChomevideo.com.

For questions about CGC Home Video, call (+1) 855-GRADE10 or email Service@CGChomevideo.com.