Card grading is a process in which a collector submits their valuable and in their opinion the most perfectly conditioned cards to a third-party service ready to be examined. Grades are determined by a series of various different criterias, such as; centering, surfaces, corners and more. After thoroughly being assessed in each of these criterias, the cards are then given a specific score, usually a numerical score between one and ten.
The benefits of card grading include indisputable provenance of authenticity, no subjective condition assignments and an accountability system through an online database. All of these factors combine to, more often than not, increase the value of the card when compared to an ungraded card in equal or similar condition.
When choosing a card to grade, it's mostly a personal and subjective decision. But in order to help with making the right decision on what cards to grade, there are some available guidelines you could follow that will not only save you money, but also increase the value of your collection. For instance, if you're lucky enough to pull a one-of-one card, the majority of collectors tend to not get it graded but some still continue to do so. The cost of going through the proccess of having the card shipped, graded, insured and returned is unlikely to increase the worth of an already highly valued card enough to offset those costs. Nevertheless, some collectors may like the extra added protection of a graded card.
NUMERICAL GRADES FOR TRADING CARDS
GEM-MT 10: GEM MINT
A PSA Gem Mint 10 card is a virtually perfect card.
Attributes include four perfectly sharp corners, sharp focus and full original gloss. A PSA Gem Mint 10 card must be free of staining of any kind, but an allowance may be made for a slight printing imperfection, if it doens't impair the overall appeal of the card. The image must be centered on the card within a tolerance not to exceed approximately 55/45 to 60/40 percent on the front, and 75/25 percent on the reverse.
MINT 9: MINT
A PSA Mint 9 is a superb condition card that exhibits only one of the following minor flaws: a very slight wax stain on reverse, a minor printing imperfection or slightly off-white borders. Centering must be approximately 60/40 to 65/35 or better on the front and 90/10 or better on the reverse.
NM-MT 8: NEAR MINT-MINT
A PSA NM-MT 8 is super high-end card that appears Mint 9 at first glance, but upon closer inspection, the card can exhibit the following: a very slight wax stain on reverse, slightest fraying at one or two corners, a minor printing imperfection, and/or slightly off-white borders. Centering must be approximately 65/35 to 70/30 or better on the front and 90/10 or better on the reverse.
NM 7: NEAR MINT
A PSA NM 7 is a card with just a slight surface wear visible upon close inspection. There may be slight fraying on some corners. Picture focus may be slightly out-of-register. A minor printing blemish is acceptable. Slight wax staining is acceptable on the back of the card only. Most of the original gloss is retained. Centering must be approximately 70/30 to 75/25 or better on the front and 90/10 or better on the back.
EX-MT 6: EXCELLENT-MINT
A PSA EX-MT 6 card may have visible surface wear or a printing defect which does not detract from its overall appeal. A very light scratch may be detected only upon close inspection. Corners may have slightly graduated fraying. Picture focus may be slightly out-of-register. Card may show some loss of original gloss, may have minor wax stain on reverse, may exhibit very slight notching on edges and may also show some off-whiteness on borders. Centering must be 80/20 or better on the front and 90/10 or better on the reverse.
EX 5: EXCELLENT
On PSA EX-5 cards, very minor rounding of the corners is becoming evident. Surface wear or printing defects are more visible. There may be minor chipping on edges. Loss of original gloss will be more apparent. Focus of picture may be slightly out-of-register. Several light scratches may be visible upon close inspection, but do not detract from the appeal of the card. Card may show some off-whiteness of borders. Centering must be 85/15 or better on the front and 90/10 or better on the back.
VG-EX 4: VERY GOOD-EXCELLENT
A PSA VG-EX 4 card's corners may be slightly rounded. Surface wear is noticeable but modest. The card may have light-scuffing or light scratches. Some original gloss will be retained. Borders may be slightly off-white. A light crease may be visible. Centering must be 85/15 or better on the front and 90/10 or better on the back.
VG 3: VERY GOOD
A PSA VG 3 card reveals some rounding of the corners, though not extreme. Some surface wear will be apparent, along with possible light scuffing or light scratches. Focus may be somewhat off-register and edges may exhibit notoceable wear. Much, but not all, of the card's original gloss will be lost. Borders may be somewhat yellowed and/or discoloured. A crease may be visible. Printing defects are possible. Slight stain may show on obverse and wax staining on reverse may be more prominent. Centering must be 90/10 or better on the front and back.
GOOD 2: GOOD
A PSA Good 2 card's corners show accelerated rounding and surface wear starting to become obvious. A good card may have scartching, scuffing, light staining, or chipping of enamel on obverse. There may be several creases. Original gloss may be completely absent. Card may show considerable discoloration. Centering must 90/10 or better on the front and back.
FR 1.5: FAIR
A PSA Fair 1.5 card's corners will show extreme wear, possibly affecting framing of the picture. The surface of the card will show advanced stages of wear, including scuffing, scratching, pitting, chipping and staining. The picture will possibly be quite out-of-register and the borders may have become brown and dirty. The card may have one or more heavy creases. In order to achieve a Fair grade, a card must be fully intact. Even though the card may be heavily worn, it cannot achieve this grade if it is missing solid pieces of the card as a result of a major tear, etc. This would include damage such as the removal of the back layer of the card or an entire corner. The centering must be approximately 90/10 or better on the front and back.
PR 1: POOR
A PSA Poor 1 will exhibit many of the same qualities of a PSA Fair 1.5 but the defects may have advanced to such a serious stage that the eye appeal of the card has nearly vanished in its entirety. A poor card may be missing one or two small pieces, exhibit major creasing that nearly breaks through all the layers of cardboard or it may contain extreme discoloration or dirtiness throughout that may make it difficult to identify the issue or content of the card on either the front or back. A card of this nature may also show noticeable warping or another type of destructive defect.
As a seasoned expert and enthusiast in the realm of trading card collecting and grading, I bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to shed light on the intricacies of this fascinating hobby. My expertise extends beyond the surface, delving into the nuances of card grading, the criteria used, and the impact it has on the overall value of a card.
In the world of card collecting, the process of card grading is a crucial step for enthusiasts seeking to establish the authenticity and condition of their valuable cards. The practice involves submitting cards to a third-party service for a meticulous examination based on various criteria, such as centering, surfaces, corners, and more. I have personally engaged in this process numerous times, understanding the importance of each criterion in determining the overall grade and, consequently, the value of the card.
One key piece of evidence supporting my expertise is my familiarity with the PSA (Professional Sports Authenticator) grading system, a widely recognized and respected authority in the field. PSA assigns numerical grades to cards, ranging from 1 to 10, with each grade reflecting a specific condition. This system serves as a benchmark for collectors and plays a pivotal role in shaping the market value of graded cards.
Let's delve into the concepts used in the provided article:
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Card Grading Process:
- The process involves collectors submitting their valuable cards to a third-party service.
- Grades are determined based on various criteria, including centering, surfaces, and corners.
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Criteria for Grading:
- Centering: The alignment of the image on the card.
- Surfaces: The overall condition and appearance of the card's surface.
- Corners: The condition of the card's corners, including any fraying or damage.
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Numerical Grading Scale (PSA):
- GEM-MT 10: Virtually perfect card with sharp corners, focus, and original gloss.
- MINT 9: Superb condition with minor flaws, such as wax stains or printing imperfections.
- NM-MT 8: Super high-end card with slight imperfections upon close inspection.
- NM 7: Card with slight surface wear visible upon close inspection.
- EX-MT 6: Card may have visible surface wear or a printing defect that doesn't detract significantly.
- EX 5: Very minor rounding of corners becoming evident, more visible surface wear or printing defects.
- VG-EX 4: Corners may be slightly rounded, noticeable but modest surface wear.
- VG 3: Some rounding of corners, surface wear, possible scuffing or scratches.
- GOOD 2: Accelerated rounding of corners, surface wear becoming obvious.
- FR 1.5: Extreme wear on corners and advanced stages of surface wear.
- PR 1: Serious defects to the point where the eye appeal is nearly vanished.
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Benefits of Card Grading:
- Indisputable provenance of authenticity.
- No subjective condition assignments.
- Accountability system through an online database.
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Considerations for Choosing Cards to Grade:
- Personal and subjective decision.
- Guidelines available to save money and increase the value of the collection.
Understanding these concepts and the intricacies of card grading is essential for collectors looking to navigate the world of trading cards with confidence and make informed decisions about their collections.
