Grading

At TCG Grading, we score based on a 1-10 grading system by analysing 100 points of contact on your card. 

We are currently accepting Pokémon, Dragon Ball, Magic, NBA and Yu-Gi-Oh cards. For other card types, please enquire via email, Instagram or Facebook. 

Surface:

We analyse the card's surface for scratches, dents, folds and bends. By zooming into the cards surface with our electron microscopes, custom set for card grading, our graders will have a close up view of your card. Over 100 points on the card are viewed to ensure a proper grade is assigned. 

Centring:

Centring of the front and back of the card is is assessed within the original manufacturers specifications. 

Corners and Edges:

Corners and edges are visually and electronically assessed based on their structure and signs of folds, bends, dents, wearing and whitening is factored in during final assessment. 

Grading Scale:

10 Flawless (FLS)
9.5 Gem Mint (GM)
9 Mint (MT)
8.5 Near Mint / Mint + (NM/MT+)
8 Near Mint / Mint (NM/MT)
7.5 Near Mint + (NM+)
7 Near Mint (NM)
6.5 Excellent / NM+ (EX/NM+)
6 Excellent / NM (EX/NM)
5.5 Excellent + (EX+)
5 Excellent (EX)
4.5 Very Good / Excellent + (VG/EX+)
4 Very Good / Excellent (VG/EX)
3.5 Very Good + (VG+)
3 Very Good (VG)
2.5 Good + (GD+)
2 Good (GD)
1.5 Fair (FR)
1 Poor (PR)

TCG 10 Flawless

The card must be free of staining, blemishing, whitening and if applicable, the cello-glaze must be intact. Card centring should not veer outside 60/40 on the front of card and 70/30 on the back. There must be no marks, dents, folds or impressions on the card surface.

TCG 9.5 Gem Mint

The card must be free of staining, blemishing, whitening and if applicable, the cello-glaze must be intact. Card centring should not veer outside 60/40 on the front of card and 70/30 on the back. There must be no marks, dents, folds or impressions on the card surface. A miniscule or minor flaw may be present, preventing the card from achieving a ten. Foil lines from printing on a portion of the card if pack fresh may be considered.

TCG 9 Mint

The card should be free of staining, blemishing, whitening and if applicable, the cello-glaze should be intact. Card centring should not veer outside 60/40 on the front of card and 80/20 on the back. There must be no marks, dents, folds or impressions on the card surface. A miniscule or minor flaw may be present, preventing the card from achieving a higher grade. Foil lines from printing on a portion of the card if pack fresh may be considered.

TCG 8.5 Near Mint/Mint+

The card should be free of staining, blemishing and if applicable, the cello-glaze should be intact. Card centring should not veer outside 70/30 on the front of card and 65/35 on the back. There must be no marks, dents, folds or impressions on the card surface. A miniscule or minor flaw may be present, preventing the card from achieving a higher grade. Foil lines from printing on a portion of the card if pack fresh may be considered. No whitening should be present on the corners or edges

TCG 8 Near Mint / Mint

The card should be free of staining, blemishing and if applicable, the cello-glaze should be intact. Card centring should not veer outside 70/30 on the front of card and 80/20 on the back. There must be no marks, dents, folds or impressions on the card surface. A miniscule or minor flaw may be present, preventing the card from achieving a higher grade. Foil lines from printing on a portion of the card if pack fresh may be considered. Borders with slight off white characteristics may be considered.

TCG 7.5 Near Mint+

The card may show slight staining, blemishing and cello-glaze deterioration. Card centring should not veer outside 70/30 on the front of card and 85/15 on the back. There may be slight marks, but no dents, folds or impressions on the card surface. A minor flaw may be present, preventing the card from achieving a higher grade. Borders with slight off white characteristics may be considered.

TCG 7 Near Mint

The card may show slight staining, blemishing and cello-glaze deterioration. Card centring should not veer outside 70/30 on the front of card and 85/15 on the back. There may be slight marks, but no dents, folds or impressions on the card surface. A minor flaw may be present, preventing the card from achieving a higher grade. Borders with a small amount of off white characteristics may be considered.

TCG 6.5 EX/NM+

The card may show staining, blemishing and cello-glaze deterioration, visible at first glance. Card centring should not veer outside 80/20 on the front of card and 90/10 on the back. There may be slight marks, but no dents, folds or impressions on the card surface. A flaw may be present, preventing the card from achieving a higher grade. Borders with some amount of off white characteristics may be considered. Slight pin prick indents may be noticeable.

TCG 6 EX/NM

The card may show staining, blemishing and cello-glaze deterioration, visible at first glance. Card centring should not veer outside 80/20 on the front of card and 90/10 on the back. There may be slight marks, or minor dents, folds or impressions on the card surface. A flaw may be present, preventing the card from achieving a higher grade. Borders with some amount of off white characteristics may be considered. Slight pin prick indents may be noticeable.

TCG 5.5 EXCELLENT +

The card may show staining, blemishing and cello-glaze deterioration, visible at first glance. Card centring should not veer outside 85/15 on the front of card and 90/10 on the back. There may be marks, or minor dents, folds or impressions on the card surface. A flaw may be present, preventing the card from achieving a higher grade. Borders with some amount of off white characteristics may be considered. Slight pin prick indents may be noticeable. The surface of the card may exhibit visible wear.

TCG 5 EXCELLENT

The card may show staining, blemishing and cello-glaze deterioration, visible at first glance. Card centring should not veer outside 85/15 on the front of card and 90/10 on the back. There may be marks, or dents, minor corner folds or a slight impressions on the card surface. A flaw may be present, preventing the card from achieving a higher grade. Borders with some amount of off white characteristics may be considered. Slight pin prick indents may be noticeable. The surface of the card may exhibit visible wear. The reverse of the card may also exhibit clearer faults on a darker surface. Corners may exhibit some rounding or changes from original print quality.

TCG 4.5 Very Good / Excellent+

The card will show staining, blemishing, scratching, whitening and cello-glaze deterioration, visible at first glance. Card centring should not veer outside 85/15 on the front of card and 90/10 on the back. There may be marks, or dents, minor corner folds or a slight impressions on the card surface. A flaw may be present, preventing the card from achieving a higher grade. Borders with some amount of off white characteristics may be considered. Slight pin prick indents may be noticeable. The surface of the card may exhibit visible wear. The reverse of the card may also exhibit clearer faults on a darker surface. Corners may exhibit some rounding or changes from original print quality.

TCG 4 Very Good / Excellent

The card will show staining, blemishing, scratching, whitening and cello-glaze deterioration, visible at first glance. Card centring should not veer outside 85/15 on the front of card and 90/10 on the back. There may be marks, or dents, minor corner folds or a slight impressions on the card surface. A flaw may be present, preventing the card from achieving a higher grade. Borders may be more so off white on front and reverse. Some small indents may be noticeable. The surface of the card may exhibit visible wear. The reverse of the card may also exhibit clearer faults on a darker surface. Corners may exhibit some rounding or changes from original print quality.

TCG 3.5 Very Good +

The card will show staining, blemishing, scratching, scuffing, whitening and cello-glaze deterioration, visible at first glance. Card centring should not veer outside 90/10 on the front of card and 90/10 on the back. There may be marks, or dents, minor corner folds or a slight impressions on the card surface. A flaw may be present, preventing the card from achieving a higher grade. Borders with a very noticeable amount of off white characteristics may be considered. Slight pin prick indents may be noticeable. The surface of the card may exhibit visible wear. The reverse of the card may also exhibit clearer faults on a darker surface. Corners may exhibit rounding or changes from original print quality.

TCG 3.0 Very Good

The card will show staining, blemishing, scratching, scuffing, whitening and cello-glaze deterioration, visible at first glance. Card centring should not veer outside 90/10 on the front of card and 90/10 on the back. There are probably marks, or dents, minor corner folds or a slight impressions on the card surface. A flaw will be present, preventing the card from achieving a higher grade. Borders with a very noticeable amount of off white characteristics may be considered. Pin prick indents may be noticeable. The surface of the card may exhibit visible wear. The reverse of the card may also exhibit clearer faults on a darker surface. Corners may exhibit rounding or changes from original print quality.

TCG 2.5 Good +

The card will show staining, blemishing, scratching, scuffing, whitening and cello-glaze deterioration, visible at from a distance. Card centring should not veer outside 90/10 on the front of card and 90/10 on the back. There are marks, or dents, minor corner folds or a slight impressions on the card surface. A flaw will be present, preventing the card from achieving a higher grade. Borders with a very noticeable amount of off white characteristics may be considered. Pin prick indents may be noticeable. The surface of the card may exhibit visible wear and possible surface whitening or removal. The reverse of the card may also exhibit clearer faults on a darker surface. Corners may exhibit rounding or changes from original print quality. Car may be slightly manipulated or warped.

TCG 2 Good

The card will show staining, blemishing, scratching, scuffing, whitening and cello-glaze deterioration, visible at from a distance. Card centring should not veer outside 90/10 on the front of card and 90/10 on the back. There are marks, or dents, minor corner folds or a slight impressions on the card surface. A major flaw will be present, preventing the card from achieving a higher grade. Borders with a very noticeable amount of off white characteristics may be considered and the surface may be highly damaged. Pin prick indents may be noticeable. The surface of the card may exhibit visible wear and possible surface whitening or removal. The reverse of the card may also exhibit clearer faults on a darker surface. Corners may exhibit rounding or changes from original print quality. Card may be slightly manipulated or warped.

TCG 1.5 Fair

The card will show staining, blemishing, scratching, scuffing, whitening and cello-glaze deterioration, visible at from a distance. Card centring should not veer outside 90/10 on the front of card and 90/10 on the back. There are marks, or dents, minor corner folds or a slight impressions on the card surface. A major flaw will be present, preventing the card from achieving a higher grade. Borders with a very noticeable amount of off white characteristics may be considered and the surface may be highly damaged. Indents may be noticeable. The surface of the card may exhibit visible wear and possible surface whitening or removal. The reverse of the card may also exhibit clearer faults on a darker surface. Corners exhibit rounding or changes from original print quality. Card may be slightly manipulated or warped. Card looks worn.

TCG 1 Poor

The card will show staining, blemishing, scratching, scuffing, whitening and cello-glaze deterioration, visible at from a distance. Card centring should not veer outside 90/10 on the front of card and 90/10 on the back. There are marks, or dents, minor corner folds or a slight impressions on the card surface. A major flaw will be present, preventing the card from achieving a higher grade. Borders with a very noticeable amount of off white characteristics may be considered and the surface may be highly damaged. Indents may be noticeable. The surface of the card may exhibit visible wear and possible surface whitening or removal. The reverse of the card may also exhibit clearer faults on a darker surface. Corners exhibit rounding or changes from original print quality. Card may be slightly manipulated or warped. Card looks worn, may have pieces missing, severe folds may be present.

NG - No Grade (Raw Encapsulation)

NG or raw encapsulation can be requested for any licensed card. Custom cards not manufactured by the licensee may be encapsulated but can only receive a (NO GRADE) NG. Replications and fake cards will not be encapsulated under any circumstances. 

A - Authentic

A card that has been signed without provenance will receive an A grade. This means the card is authentic, but the signature cannot be verified.

Qualifiers:

OC: Cards deemed off-centre outside of manufactures specifications. 

MC: Cards deemed miss-cut outside of manufacturers specifications. 

What don't we grade?
We are no longer grading Star basketball cards. We do not grade Demon Slayer Waifu cards. Any cards exceeding standard Panini sizes, please reach out to our team at service@tcggrading.com.au