Graded Gallery
Grading Guide
Everything you need to know about card grading — what the grades mean, which companies we work with, and why graded cards are worth it.
What Is Card Grading?
Card grading is the process of having an independent, third-party company professionally evaluate and authenticate a Pokémon card. The card is given a numeric grade (1–10) based on its condition, then sealed in a tamper-evident plastic case called a slab. Graded slabs provide buyers with confidence in a card's authenticity and condition — especially important for high-value purchases.
Why Buy Graded Cards?
Authenticity Guaranteed
Grading companies detect fakes, reprints, and alterations. A graded card is a verified authentic card.
Condition Locked In
The slab protects the card from further wear, keeping it in its graded condition indefinitely.
Higher Resale Value
Graded cards consistently command higher prices than raw cards, especially PSA 10s and CGC Pristines.
Investment Grade
Top-graded vintage and key cards have shown strong long-term appreciation over the years.
PSA Grading Scale
Gem Mint
Perfect centering, four sharp corners, no print defects, zero scratches. The gold standard.
Mint
Nearly perfect. Slight off-centering (65/35 max) or a tiny imperfection invisible to the naked eye.
Near Mint–Mint
Minimal wear. Very slight corner wear or surface scratch under close inspection. Still excellent eye appeal.
Near Mint
Small border fraying, slight corner softness. No creases. Card still looks great at a glance.
Excellent–Mint
Slight surface scratches, minor border wear. One or two corners slightly rounded.
Excellent
Surface scratches visible. Two or three rounded corners. Moderate centering issues.
Very Good–Excellent
Heavy scuffs, border nicks, multiple rounded corners but no creases.
Very Good
Noticeable staining, heavy scratches, or creases. Card still intact.
Good
Very heavy wear, creasing, and corner damage. Structural integrity intact.
Poor / Authentic
Heavily damaged but confirmed authentic Pokémon card.
CGC Grading Scale
Pristine
Perfect in every way — centering, corners, edges, and surface.
Gem Mint
Virtually perfect. Tiny flaw only visible under magnification.
Mint
Minimal imperfection. 55/45 centering max. Nearly flawless.
Near Mint–Mint+
One small flaw in centering or surface, otherwise NM-Mint quality.
Near Mint–Mint
Minor corner or surface wear. Excellent overall presentation.
Near Mint+
Slight extra wear beyond NM but stronger than a straight 7.
Near Mint
Light wear on corners or edges, no creases, good eye appeal.
Still have questions?
Not sure what grade a card you're looking at is, or want to know more about a specific slab in our shop? Contact us — we're happy to help.