How to Grade a Sports Card
Learn how to assess the condition of your cards in order to better understand their potential value.
Sportscard Grading Standards
Understanding the grade (condition) of your cards is the most critical aspect when selling your collection. Condition is the main factor when calculating a card’s value. If you have looked at eBay and tried to figure out why the same card sells for $2,000 and then for $50, the answer is “there is a difference in the condition.” Below are industry standards to give you a start. There are also example pictures of the front and back for each condition.
Near Mint (Nm)
Centering must be 65/35 or better on the front & 90/10 or better on the back. One of the following minor flaws is allowed: a slight touch of wear on 2 corners, slightly rough edges, minor print spots, minor color or focus imperfections, very light surface wear.
Excellent Mint (ExMt)
Centering must be 70/30 or better on the front & 90/10 or better on the back. Two of the following flaws is allowed: 2 fuzzy corners, slightly rough edges, minor print spots, minor color or focus imperfections, light surface wear.
Excellent (Ex)
Centering must be 80/20 or better on the front & 90/10 or better on the back. The card can have 4 fuzzy corners, minor border discoloration, rough edges, minor print spots, color or focus imperfections, and light surface wear.
Very Good to Excellent (VgEx)
Centering must be 90/10 or better on the front & 99/1 or better on the back. The card can have slightly rounded corners, with a light crease or light stain evident on the back, light border discoloration, rough edges, print spots, color or focus imperfections, and surface wear.
Very Good (Vg)
Centering must be 99/1 or better on the front. The card can have slightly rounded corners, a hairline crease on the front that doesn’t distract from eye appeal, light stain evident on front or the back, moderate border discoloration, chipping on the edges, print spots, color or focus imperfections, and surface wear.
Good (G)
Card will have rounded/layered corners, a crease that cracks the front surface, stain on the front & back, border discoloration, chipping on the edges, print defects, color & focus imperfections, minor back damage, and obvious surface wear.
Poor (P)
Card will have rounded/layered corners, be miscut, have several major creases, stains on the front & back, border discoloration, paper loss, tape, writing, severe chipping on the edges, print defects, color imperfections, be out of focus, have major back damage and severe surface wear.
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Near Mint (Nm)
Excellent Mint (ExMt)
Excellent (Ex)
Very Good to Excellent (VgEx)
All 4 corners are slightly rounded with the upper left corner showing major paper loss. There is a light crease on the back of the card running left to right through T.C.G. in the bottom left corner. On the back you can also see a notch on the bottom border under the ‘A’ in ‘BASEBALL”. Otherwise, the back is fairly clean with no issues. The centering and color makes this a nice example of a VgEx card even with the upper left corner problems.
Very Good (Vg)
Good (G)
Poor (P)
