Condition Guide
Understanding card condition is essential to fair, transparent transactions. We use industry-standard grades on every card we sell and apply the same standards when purchasing your collection.
Grading Scale
Near Mint is the highest condition we sell. We do not carry Mint cards - that grade is reserved for factory-sealed pulls and PSA-submission candidates. Every card in our inventory has been assessed against the standards below.
NM
Near Mint
Near Mint (NM)
Cards in Near Mint condition show minimal to no wear from shuffling, play or handling and can have a nearly unmarked surface, crisp corners and unblemished edges outside of a few minimal flaws. A Near Mint card may have a tiny edge nick or a tiny scratch or two, but overall looks nearly unplayed with no major defects or flaws.
LP
Lightly Played
Lightly Played (LP)
Cards in Lightly Played condition may have minor border or corner wear or slight scuffs or scratches. There are no major defects such as water damage, bends or issues with the structural integrity of the card. Noticeable imperfections are okay, but none should be too severe or at too high a volume.
MP
Moderately Played
Moderately Played (MP)
Cards in Moderately Played condition exhibit condition issues visible at a casual glance. These can include border wear, corner wear, scratching or scuffing, creases or whitening, minor dirt buildup, or any combination of mild examples of these marks. A Moderately Played card may have one more major marking, such as spot water damage or creasing that doesn't affect card integrity, but not in combination with other issues, and not impacting a large area of the card.
HP
Heavily Played
Heavily Played (HP)
Cards in Heavily Played condition show a severe amount of wear: major creasing, major whitening, major border wear, or any combination of those flaws. These flaws cannot prevent the card from being tournament playable when sleeved.
DMG
Damaged
Damaged (DMG)
Cards in Damaged condition can exhibit a tear, bend or crease that may make the card illegal for tournament play, even in a sleeve. This includes extreme border or corner wear, heavy scratching or scuffing, folds, creases or tears, or other damage that impacts the structural integrity of the card.
A note on grading your own cards
Collectors often grade their own cards more generously than the market does - it's natural. When bringing in cards to sell or trade, we encourage you to assess them critically before your appointment. When in doubt, drop a grade.
Our offers are based on the condition we assess at the time of purchase, not condition reported in advance. We'll always walk you through our reasoning.