How do you know the condition of a trading card?

Cards are graded based on these factors: Centering, Corners, Edges, and Surface. They give each attribute a grade of 1-10, then combine those to give the card a final grade of 1-10. Anything above a 9 is worth book value or greater, as BGS 9 (known as a “Mint 9”) is the condition expected of the card out of the pack.

How do you evaluate Pokemon card conditions?

When grading Pokemon cards, one of the first things you should look for is how even or uneven the centering is. Ensure there is the same amount of yellow on all 4 sides for an evenly centered front. The back side requires an even amount of blue on all four sides.

What makes a card mint condition?

A mint card is in perfect condition; no excuses. This means, that the front is in perfect condition, there are no scratches on the surface, and the surface is perfectly clean.

Can you grade your own cards?

Collectors should certainly engage in self-grading their own cards. Unfortunately, despite becoming an efficient grader, an ungraded card still tends to sell for less than any card that has been graded by a third-party grading company such as PSA, SGC, or Beckett.

What does PSA look for when grading?

When it comes to PSA, when you get your card graded a team of graders inspect the card for authenticity. Then, the card is reviewed for any evidence of manipulation, or “card doctoring.” Next, if the card passes those steps, the card condition is scrutinized, and a 1-10 PSA grade is applied.

How do you tell if a Pokémon card is rare?

This is represented by a symbol located in the bottom right corner of every card. There should be a shape that indicates what rarity the card is. Common cards are marked with a black circle, uncommon cards have a black diamond, and rare cards always have a black star. This is the basic way to tell the rarity of a card.

How do I know if my card is mint condition?

Cards in Near Mint (NM) 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.

How do you know if your card is a PSA 10?

A PSA Gem Mint 10 card is a virtually perfect card. Attributes include four perfectly sharp corners, sharp focus and full original gloss. A PSA Gem Mint 10 card must be free of staining of any kind, but an allowance may be made for a slight printing imperfection, if it doesn’t impair the overall appeal of the card.