Grading Reference

Condition
Guide

Use this guide to identify the grade of your cards before selling. Accurate grading means a faster, smoother payout — and no surprises when your cards arrive.

Mint / NM Light Play Mod. Played Damaged
💡

Not sure which grade fits? Always grade down, not up. If a card sits between two grades, select the lower one — we'll match it on arrival. Selecting too high causes delays and revised offers.

Mint/Near Mint Pokémon card

Crisp corners · Pristine surface
No visible marks under bright light

● Mint / Near Mint

Perfect
Condition

The card looks and feels essentially unplayed. Surfaces are clean and glossy, corners are sharp, and the card lies completely flat. A slight imperfection invisible to the naked eye may be acceptable for Near Mint.

  • ✓No scratches or scuff marks on front or back
  • ✓Sharp, undamaged corners — no whitening
  • ✓Edges clean with full colour, no chipping
  • ✓Card lies completely flat, no bends
  • ✓Original gloss and print quality intact

Payout tier

Highest payout

Light Play Pokémon card

Hairline scratches · Tiny corner nick
Only visible under direct light or close inspection

● Light Play

Minor
Wear Only

The card has seen light use but remains in excellent shape. Tiny imperfections are only visible under direct bright light or close inspection. The card is fully presentable and still desirable to collectors.

  • ✓1–3 very faint hairline scratches on the surface
  • !One minor nick or very slight whitening at a corner
  • ✓Edges still clean — colour largely intact
  • ✓Card lies flat with no visible bending
  • !Imperfections invisible at arm's length

Payout tier

Great payout

Moderately Played Pokémon card

Edge whitening · Corner denting · Scratches
Up to 1 small crease permitted — visible at normal viewing distance

● Moderately Played

Visible
Wear

Clear signs of regular use are visible without close inspection. The card is still completely intact and playable, but shows whitening on edges, corner rounding, surface scuffing, and may have up to one small crease.

  • !Whitening visible on all or most edges
  • !Denting may be present
  • !Multiple surface scratches visible in normal light
  • !Up to 1 small crease permitted
  • ✓Card is still fully playable and legible

Payout tier

Moderate payout

Damaged Pokémon card

Crease · Heavy corner damage · Fading
Structural damage clearly visible at a glance

● Damaged

Heavy
Damage

The card has significant structural or cosmetic damage that is immediately apparent. Creases, tears, water damage, heavy bending, or extreme wear fall into this category. We still buy these — but they attract a reduced payout.

  • ✗Creases, folds, or tear marks present
  • ✗Heavy corner damage — white card core clearly exposed
  • ✗Deep scratches or scuffs across the card face
  • !Water damage, staining, or ink loss possible
  • ✓Card is still identifiable — we accept these

Payout tier

Reduced payout

Pro Tips

💡

Use a bright light source

Hold the card under a lamp at a low angle to catch surface scratches that aren't visible in normal lighting.

🔍

Check all four corners

Corners show wear first. Even one damaged corner typically drops a Mint card to Light Play or lower.

📸

When in doubt, grade down

If you're unsure between two grades, select the lower one. We reassess on arrival and pay the correct rate.

Know your
grade?

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