Card Condition Guide
Understanding how to grade your Pokemon cards correctly helps you price them accurately and set correct buyer expectations.
Quick Reference
Near Mint
Card is almost perfect. Subtle imperfections only visible under direct light.
- ✓Centering within 55/45 to 60/40 on front
- ✓Absolutely no surface scratches or whitening
- ✓Corners are razor sharp or nearly so
- ✓Print registration is perfect
- ✗Any whitening on back or edges
- ✗Surface scuffs visible without tilting
- ✗Dented corners
Lightly Played
Minor imperfections. Card has been handled but shows minimal wear.
- ✓One or two surface scuffs visible only at certain angles
- ✓Very slight corner whitening (1 corner max)
- ✓Centering may be slightly off (up to 60/40)
- ✓No creases, bends, or major scratches
- ✗Heavy surface damage
- ✗Visible whitening on multiple corners
- ✗Dented corners
Moderately Played
Noticeable wear. Card has been played with regularly.
- ✓Surface scuffs and light scratches visible without effort
- ✓Corner whitening on 2-3 corners (slight dents acceptable)
- ✓Centering may be 65/35 or worse
- ✓No creases or major damage
- ✗Creases
- ✗Hinge breaks
- ✗Heavy gouges or tears
Heavily Played
Significant wear. Card is damaged but still intact.
- ✓Major surface damage and scratches throughout
- ✓Visible creasing (light creases acceptable)
- ✓Heavy corner whitening and denting on all corners
- ✓Centering can be noticeably off
- ✗Water damage
- ✗Hinge breaks
- ✗Major tears or missing pieces
Damaged
Card is obviously damaged. May be a creased, gouged, or water-damaged card.
- ✓Heavy creasing or bends
- ✓Missing pieces or tears
- ✓Water damage or staining
- ✓Written or marked surfaces
- ✗Damaged cards are typically only valuable as bulk or for custom art projects.
Professional Grading
For valuable cards, consider getting them professionally graded by PSA, BGS, CGC, or TAG. Professional graders use a 1-10 numeric scale with sub-grades for centering, corners, surface, and edges. A card graded PSA 10 "Gem Mint" is the pinnacle — perfect in every way.
💡 Tip
When in doubt, grade down. Buyers appreciate honest grading more than optimistic pricing. A card listed as LP that arrives looking MP damages trust and leads to disputes.