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The grading is a practical guide, not a standard: different people judge condition slightly differently. That is why a seller should describe flaws in words and photos in addition to the grade, and why a buyer should look at the photos carefully.
Condition grades at a glance
| Grade | In plain words | In a nutshell |
|---|---|---|
| Mint (M) | Flawless | As if straight from the pack: no visible flaws |
| Near Mint (NM) | Almost flawless | Barely noticeable wear, e.g. a tiny white dot on a corner |
| Excellent (EX) | Excellent | Light wear in several places, no creases |
| Good (GD) | Good | Clear but moderate wear, no serious damage |
| Light Played (LP) | Lightly played | Clearly used, a small crease or several wear marks |
| Played (PL) | Played | Heavy wear, creases, possibly warping |
| Poor (PO) | Poor | Seriously damaged: tears, water, writing |
The grades follow a scale common on European card markets. If you are used to another name, such as "Lightly Played" or "Moderately Played", choose the closest grade and describe the differences.
What is assessed
Condition is assessed in four areas. Describe each in the listing.
Corners
Corners wear first. Look at whether the corners are sharp, slightly rounded or clearly worn, and whether there is white (whitening) or peeling on the corner.
Edges
Wear shows easily on edges, especially on dark-bordered cards. Look for white dots, scuffs, chips and small "sawtooth" spots.
Surface
Check the surface in bright, tilted light. Look for scratches (especially on holo and foil surfaces), scuffs, print lines, dents, fingerprints and stains. Print lines are not always wear, but they must be mentioned.
Creases and bends
A crease is a wear or fold mark in the card's structure that shows on the surface as a line. It cannot be removed. A crease lowers the condition significantly, and even a small one is enough to take a card out of NM. A bend or warp is milder: the card is not perfectly flat, but the surface is not broken.
The grades in detail
Mint (M)
- Corners and edges perfectly sharp. No white wear.
- Flawless surface: no scratches, print lines, marks or stains.
- The card is in practice as it was when opened, and usually put in protection immediately.
- Centering is not part of the Mint grade, but if it is clearly off, mention it in the description.
Near Mint (NM)
- At most very small marks: for example a tiny white dot on one or two corners or edges.
- Surface without visible scratches in normal light. A very small scratch or thinning of the gloss may show only in tilted light.
- No creases, no warping.
- This is the usual grade for a well-kept playing card pulled from a pack and kept in protection.
Excellent (EX)
- Light wear in several places: white spots on corners or edges.
- Small surface scratches or scuffs that you notice when looking carefully.
- No creases. At most a very slight bend.
Good (GD)
- Moderate wear: white on most corners and edges, slightly rounded corners.
- Clear surface scratches or scuffs, but the surface is intact.
- No deep creases, but a slight bend or a very small fold is possible and must be mentioned and photographed.
Light Played (LP)
- The card is clearly used. Wear on all corners and edges, possibly a small crease.
- Visible surface scratches, print lines or wear on the gloss.
- The card is intact and has no tears or water damage.
Played (PL)
- Heavy wear everywhere. Creases, clear warping or rounded corners.
- The surface is scratched and dull, possibly with worn-off colour.
- The card is still in one piece and playable in a sleeve.
Poor (PO)
- Seriously damaged: tears, missing pieces, water damage, writing in marker or pen, deep creases, burnt or chewed.
- Only suitable as a filler card, or when the card is rare and condition is secondary.
Tips for assessing condition
- Assess the card in bright light and tilt it so scratches show.
- Look at the card without protective plastic. Sleeves and toploaders reflect light and hide flaws.
- If you are between two grades, choose the lower one and describe the flaw.
- Always mention creases, bends, stains, print lines and special defects separately. Do not leave the buyer guessing.
- Photograph both front and back and at least close-ups of the corners and the flaw, see How selling works.
Graded cards
A graded card has been assessed by an outside company and sealed in a slab, and the grade is given as a number (for example PSA 9 or BGS 9.5). They are not assessed using this scale; the grade and cert number are stated as they are. See Grading guide.
Products: Sealed, New and Used
For products other than single cards (booster packs, booster boxes, collections, accessories) three grades are used:
| Grade | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Sealed | Factory sealed and unopened. The original seal (shrink wrap) is intact and has not been opened or replaced. Mention external damage to the packaging (corners, dents, tears in the wrap). |
| New | Unused but not sealed: for example opened but the contents untouched, or an accessory that has not been used. |
| Used | A used product. Describe signs of use and missing parts. |
For sealed products in particular, it is worth telling where the product was obtained and how it has been stored, because selling resealed products as sealed without saying so is prohibited.
Questions?
If condition is hard to judge, ask for a second opinion or more photos. For problems, see How buying works or contact: [email protected].