Trade Card Grading
A Collector’s Guide the Grading of Trade Cards

Overview

As with any type of collecting, it’s always best to know the condition or grade of the collectable. To this end, the Professional Sports Authenticator (PSA) 10-point Grading Scale was developed as a guideline for the grading of trade cards. This standard was developed by a group of the nation’s leading trading card experts that recognized that in order for the trading card industry to realize its true potential, an industry-wide grading standard was needed. The PSA 10-Point Grading Scale, has developed into the standard for the industry and is accepted by professional trading card dealers, collectors, and leading auction houses.

Skytamer Images does not authenticate or grade cards. If you need to have your cards professionally graded, visit the Professional Sports Authenticator (PSA) website for details.

Click on the following thumbnail images to view full-size examples of the 10 card grades..

Definitions of Card Grades

	“Gem Mint” (GEM-MT 10) is a virtually perfect card. Attributes include: Four perfectly sharp corners Sharp focus Full original gloss Card must be free of staining of any kind, but an allowance may be made for a slight printing imperfection, if it does not impair the overall appeal of the card. 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” (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.
	“Near Mint-Mint” (NM-MT 8) is a 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.
	“Near Mint” (NM 7) cards exhibit the following characteristics: Slight surface wear is 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.
	“Excellent-Mint” (EX-MT 6) cards exhibit the following characteristics: 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. 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.
	“Excellent” (EX 5) cards exhibit the following characteristics: Cards show very minor rounding of the corners that 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.
	“Very Good-Excellent” (VG-EX 4) cards exhibit the following characteristics: Cards have corners that 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.
	“Very Good” (VG 3) cards exhibit the following characteristics: 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. Edges may exhibit noticeable wear. Much, but not all, of the card’s original gloss will be lost. Borders may be somewhat yellowed and/or discolored. 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” (G-2) cards exhibit the following characteristics: Card’s corners show accelerated rounding. Surface wear is starting to become obvious. Card may have scratching, 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 be 90/10 or better on the front and back.
	“Poor to Fair” (PR-FR 1) cards exhibit the following characteristics: Card’s corners will show extreme wear, possibly affecting framing of picture. Surface of card will show advanced stages of wear, including scuffing, scratching, pitting, chipping and staining. Picture will possibly be quite out of register. Borders may have become brown and dirty. May have one or more heavy creases. May be missing one or more small pieces May have major creasing and extreme discoloration or dirtiness throughout. Card may show noticeable warping. Centering must be 90/10 or better on the front and back.

Card Flaws

Ungradeable Cards - No Grade Definitions