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Trading Cards Grading Scale

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CGC Trading Cards grades Pokemon TCG and Magic: The Gathering cards using a highly accurate 10-point grading scale. Below are CGC Trading Cards’ grading standard for each numeric grade. For the similar 10-point scale used by CGC for comics, magazines, concert posters and lobby cards, click on Standard above.

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Pristine - 10

 

The highest grade assigned. The card must have perfect centering and no evidence of any manufacturing or handling defects.

A card with all 10 sub-grades (sometimes called "quad 10s") will be labeled Perfect 10.

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Gem Mint - 9.5

 

The card will have excellent centering and exhibit only negligible handling or manufacturing defects.

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Mint ~ 9

 

The card shows at least above-average centering and only a few minor manufacturing or handling defects.

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Near Mint /Mint+ ~ 8.5

 

A card with at least average-to-above-average centering. The card will show small handling defects.

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Near Mint/Mint ~ 8

 

A well-preserved card with at least average centering and small-to-moderate handling defects.

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Near Mint+ ~ 7.5

 

A well-preserved card with a moderate defect or a number of small defects.

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Near Mint ~ 7

 

A slightly played card that has strong eye appeal but has a moderate defect or a number of small defects.

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Excellent/NM+ ~ 6.5

 

A slightly played card with minor scuffing, indentations, soiling or fading.

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Excellent/NM ~ 6

 

An attractive card that is still bright. It will have a moderate defect and a number of small defects.

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Excellent+ ~ 5.5

 

A moderately played card. It will have moderate and small defects.

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Excellent ~ 5

 

A played card with moderate and small defects. It may also have a light crease.

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VG/Excellent+ ~ 4.5

 

A card with obvious signs of play with loss of sheen and whitening extending the entire border.

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VG/Excellent ~ 4

 

A heavily played card with several moderate defects including creases.

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Very Good+ ~ 3.5

 

A heavily played card with a couple of major defects. There will be no tears, however.

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Very Good ~ 3

 

A heavily played card with several major defects as well as some moderate defects. There will be no tears, however.

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Good+ ~ 2.5

 

A card that exhibits major-to-extreme defects with heavy creases and significant discoloration.

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Good ~ 2

 

An extremely played card that has poor detail and an accumulation of major defects.

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Fair ~ 1.5

 

A damaged card with poor eye appeal and extreme defects.

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Poor ~ 1

 

An extensively damaged card with large tears and other extreme defects.

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