Grading Process

Step 1: Submission and Receipt

Begin by filling out our online submission form and securely packaging your cards. Once we receive your submission, we’ll send a confirmation to ensure your cards have safely arrived at our facility.

Step 2: AI-Assisted Initial Evaluation

Our AI system scans and identifies each card, analyzing key attributes like centering, edges, surface, and corners. This initial evaluation provides a consistent and precise foundation for grading.

Step 3: Human Double-Grading

Our experienced graders review each card, meticulously checking every detail. By combining AI precision with human expertise, we guarantee the highest level of accuracy and consistency.

Step 4: Final Grade Determination

The final grade is determined through a balanced combination of AI data and human insights. Every grade reflects our commitment to maintaining industry-leading standards of quality and integrity.

Step 5: Label Creation and Sealing

Once graded, your card receives our signature black and gold label, symbolizing its unique grade and authenticity. Each card is then sealed in a tamper-evident, durable case to ensure long-lasting protection and display.

Step 6: Return and Shipping

After grading, your cards are carefully packed and shipped back to you. Our average turnaround time is 5 to 7 weeks, with many submissions processed even faster. You’ll receive tracking information for peace of mind.

Edges	Sub-Grade Report
1	Severe damage, including heavy chipping, fraying, or tears along all edges. Significant paper loss and potential for large sections of the edge missing. Surface layers may be peeled away.
1.5	Major chipping or scuffing along most edges with visible damage. The edges may be frayed, and there may be small tears or pieces missing. Surface wear is significant and detracts from the card’s structure.
2	Heavy chipping and fraying on all edges. Visible wear with minor tears or creases along the edges. Surface wear may extend onto the edges, showing clear signs of use and damage.
2.5	Significant chipping or fraying, with some minor edge damage. The edges are visibly worn, and the card shows signs of heavy handling. Structural integrity is still intact, but edges are rough.
3	Heavy chipping and wear along edges. Small nicks/ minor tears present. The edges appear rough, with visible signs of handling and wear but no major structural damage.
3.5	Noticeable wear with light chipping or fraying. Minor imperfections like tiny nicks & slight surface wear may be present along the edges, but the overall shape is maintained.
4	Moderate wear along edges with moderate chipping/ tiny nicks. Some fraying may is visible, but the edges remain mostly intact. Aged appearance with some handling marks.
4.5	Moderate imperfections such as nicks & light chipping. Edges show wear & fraying but are generally clean and intact. Only Moderate visual impact from wear.
5	Light to moderate wear along the edges. Chipping & nicks are visible upon inspection, but edges are still generally clean with light to moderare wear and well-preserved.
5.5	Light to moderate chipping, wear, & minor nicks visible under inspection. Edges remain generally clean and intact, with moderate handling wear.
6	Light edge wear with light chipping & small nicks visible with naked eye & under magnification. The edges are clean with no major imperfections, but still have noticable light wear.
6.5	Light edge Damage with only the minor signs of wear. Small nicks & very light chipping present but are not very noticeable to the naked eye. The overall appearance is sharp and clean.
7	Clean edges with minimal wear. Minor imperfections such as nicks & light chipping are visible by the naked eye and under magnification but are not significant.
7.5	Clean edges with minimal wear. Minor imperfections such as nicks & light chipping are visible by the naked eye and under magnification but are not significant.
8	Edges have very minimal nicks, fraying, & chipping. Not noticable upon quick inspection, but after thorough evaluation it is slightly visible to the naked eye and more visible under microscope magnification
8.5	Edges have almost no signs of fraying, chipping, and nicks. Under Microscope magnification multiple flaws are visible, but not significant.
9	Near perfect edges with no visible imperfections under normal inspection. Only the slightest signs of wear may be visible under magnification.
9.5	Perfect edges under normal inspection. Any tiny imperfections are barely visible under close magnification. Edges are sharp and clean.
10	Absolutely perfect edges with no flaws, chipping, or nicks. The edges appear flawless and as sharp as when the card was printed.


Corners
1	Extremely rounded, heavily damaged corners with severe fraying and visible paper loss. Corners are missing small pieces & exhibit folds and deep creases. Obvious handling damage.
1.5	Major rounding and fraying with clear signs of heavy use. Corners are flattened with potential for small tears & significant chipping. Structural integrity of the card is compromised.
2	Severe rounding on all corners with noticeable wear and chipping. Corners have minor tears, creases, and edges around the corners show visible distress. Overall heavily worn appearance.
2.5	Very rounded corners with fraying and chipping. Minimal integrity remains, with minor. Surface damage near corners is visible under inspection.
3	Rounded corners with evident wear, minor chipping, and small surface nicks. Edges are frayed, and one or more corners may have tiny creases. Clearly handled but no major structural damage.
3.5	Rounding with some surface wear & fraying. Nicks & softening at the tips of the corners. Aged appearance with clear signs of prior handling.
4	Moderate wear on corners, with fraying & chipping. Corners are noticably played, but have good structural integrety.
4.5	Moderate wear on corners, with fraying & chipping. Noticable by the naked eye and more pronounced with the microscope magnification. Corners are noticably played, but have good structural integrety.
5	Light to moderate wear on corners. Slight rounding & minor chipping is visible under inspection. Corners still retain their overall sharpness with some imperfections.
5.5	Rounding with some imperfections. Some chipping & nicks are present on corners. Minor handling evident, but overall shape maintained.
6	Rounding & mild wear on corners. Mild imperfections & nicks are visible by the naked eye. Some softness at the tips but no significant damage.
6.5	Minimal rounding with only light signs of handling. Light chipping & minor nicks corners. Corners maintain most of their original sharpness.
7	Corners are generally sharp with light wear. Minor nicks & slight softening at the tips are present but are not prominent. The overall appearance remains clean and well-maintained.
7.5	Corners show minimal wear, with slight softening & tiny nicks visible upon close inspection. No major rounding or chipping. Corners maintain a sharp look and feel, suitable for display.
8	Clean corners with minor visible wear & softening. Tiny nicks are visible upon close inspection and are more noticable under microscope magnification.
8.5	Clean and sharp corners with almost no visible wear. Tiny imperfections such as minuscule nicks & softening are present under magnification but are not very noticeable to the naked eye.
9	Corners are mostly sharp with very slight wear at the tips. mperfections are barely noticeable without magnification. The overall appearance is clean and crisp, with excellent presentation.
9.5	Near perfect corners with only the slightest signs of wear under very close inspection. Edges are sharp and clean with no visible imperfections to the naked eye.
10	Perfect corners with no signs of wear, nicks, or softening. The corners appear flawless under all forms of inspection and are as sharp as possible.


Centering
1	Off Center
1.5	Off Center
2	Off Center
2.5	Off Center
3	Off Center
3.5	Off Center
4	Off Center
4.5	Off Center
5	Off Center
5.5	Off Center
6	Off Center
6.5	Off Center
7	85/15 or better on the front. 90/10 or better on the back.
7.5	80/20 or better on the front. 85/15 or better on the back.
8	70/30 or better on the front. 85/15 or better on the back.
8.5	65/35 or better on the front. 80/20 or better on the back.
9	60/40 or better on the front. 80/20 or better on the back.
9.5	55/45 or better on the front. 70/30 or better on the back.
10	55/45 or better on the front. 60/40 or better on the back.


Surface
1	Extensive damage including deep creases, heavy scratches/micro-scratches, stains, and surface residue. Small paper loss & discoloration. has rips, bending, & warping.
1.5	Major scratches, heavy scuffing, significant staining or discoloration. Visible surface damage such as light tears & abrasions. Paper loss present.
2	Heavy wear with visible scratches, surface scuffing, and minor creases. Staining & discoloration is evident. Some surface loss & surface indentations.
2.5	Noticeable scratches & scuffing with moderate staining & minor discoloration. Surface has minor abrasions & indentations but no significant creases or tears.
3	Moderate scratches & scuffs, with some light staining. No significant creases but minor surface indentations, & scratches are visible. Overall appearance is heavily worn.
3.5	Visible scratches & surface marks. Staining & discoloration is present, but with no major damage. Handling wear is visible & apparent under normal inspection.
4	Moderate scratches & scuffing. Moderate surface imperfections like slight discoloration & tiny indentations present but are not prominent.
4.5	Minor scratches or surface marks. Tiny stains or slight discoloration may be visible but do not significantly impact the appearance. Surface is generally clean.
5	Light surface wear with scratches small marks visible under inspection. No significant staining, discoloration, or surface damage. Overall appearance is clean and well-maintained.
5.5	Light surface wear with scratches & slight scuffing visible with the naked eye & under magnification. No major imperfections or discoloration. Surface is clean and maintains a bright appearance.
6	Clean surface with minor handling wear, such as light scratches or small marks visible under magnification. No significant surface damage or imperfections. Surface appears bright and clean.
6.5	Very light surface wear, with some scratching/scuffing. Overall Surface presents itself well.
7	Clean surface with minimal imperfections. Tiny scratches, light handling marks, and minor print lines are present to the naked eye & under magnification are more apparent, but does not detract much from the condition of the surface.
7.5	Very clean surface with only the slightest signs of wear. Light scratches, tiny marks, & print lines are visible under close inspection, but they do not detract much from the overall appearance.
8	Clean surface with minimal imperfections. Tiny scratches, light handling marks, and minor print lines are present to the naked eye & under magnification are more apparent, but does not detract much from the condition of the surface. Overall, the surface appears bright and well-kept.
8.5	Very clean surface with no visible scratches/ marks under normal inspection. Only tiny imperfections visible under high magnification. Normal Print Lines. The surface is bright and has excellent visual appeal.
9	Near perfect surface with only the tiniest imperfections visible under close inspection. Surface appears clean and free of noticeable scratches or marks. Normal print lines. The overall presentation is excellent.
9.5	Perfect surface under normal inspection. Any tiny imperfections, such as a slight scratch or mark, are barely visible even under magnification. The surface is bright and flawless to the naked eye.
10	Absolutely perfect surface with no flaws, scratches, or marks. The surface is pristine under all forms of inspection and appears as if it was just printed.