Card conditions
What each grade means and how much of the Near Mint price it gets.
Near Mint 100%
NM. Looks unplayed. Perhaps the odd tiny speck on an edge that you only see under a light. No scratches, bends or marks on the face.
Excellent 90%
EX. Very light wear: a few white specks on the edges or corners, or a faint surface mark. Still crisp and flat.
Good 80%
GD. Clear wear on edges and corners and some light scratches, but no bends, creases or dents.
Light Played 70%
LP. Obviously played: white along the edges, scuffs and scratches on the surface. Still flat, no creases or water damage.
Played 50%
PL. Heavy wear. Possibly a small crease, bend or dent, but the card is whole and can still be played in a sleeve.
Poor 30%
PO. Major damage: big creases, tears, water damage, writing or ink. We buy these at a low share, if at all.
The percentage is the share of the Near Mint price you get for that condition.
How to check your cards
- Use a bright light. Tilt the card under a lamp or daylight; scratches and scuffs show up at an angle.
- Look at the back first. Edge and corner wear shows up as white on the back of the card.
- Feel it. Run the card between your fingers to find bends or dents, and lay it on a table to see if it sits flat.
- If in doubt, choose the lower grade. If we find the card is better than you said, we pay you more.
Foil cards
Foils curl slightly in damp air. A gentle curve is normal and does not change the grade; a sharp bend does.
Fakes and altered cards
We check every card for authenticity. We do not buy counterfeit, proxy, re-backed or altered cards (including signed or painted cards, unless the card was printed that way).