CollectoTCG Grading

CTG Grading - Grading Standards

Legend

: Allowed

: Depending on other criteria being met

: Not Allowed

Grade 10

A virtually perfect card, that has been properly stored and protected to prevent damage.

In some cases a minor flaw may be allowed if it does not retract from the overall appeal of the card.

If a card has one or multiple print lines visible, there will be no more lenience on other minor issues.

Centering: Front: 60/40 - Back: Any
Print Lines (Front)
Minor Surface Wear (Back)
Print Lines (Back)
Scratches
Whitening
Chipped Edge
Indentation
Creasing
Bends
Water Damage

Grade 9

A card that at first glance seems to be perfect, but displays one or more minor flaws after closer inspection.

A small minor scratch on the back may be present, or the edges of a card may show minor whitening.

One of the card's edges might have a very minor indentation that is only visible upon very close inspection, only if the card exhibits no other flaws.

Centering: Any
Print Lines
Minor Surface Wear (Back)
Minor Whitening
Minor Scratches (Back)
Minor Chipped Edge
Whitening
Indentation
Creasing
Bends
Water Damage

Grade 8

A card that is in between Near Mint and Mint.

This card shows some very minor wear, but is still in very good condition.

Cards that show trails of factory print-rollers, often on the back side, might receive this grade.

Shallow, pin-sized indentations might be present on the back side, only if the rest of the card is in exceedingly good condition.

Centering: Any
Print Lines
Minor Chipped Edge
Minor Scratches
Minor Whitening
Minor Surface Wear (Back)
Minor Surface Wear (Front)
Minor Indentation (Back)
Creasing
Bends
Water Damage

Grade 7

A Near Mint card.

This card shows some slight wear on inspection, it may have a minor indentation on the back side.

Centering: Any
Print Lines
Chipped Edge
Scratches
Whitening
Minor Indentation (Back)
Creasing
Bends
Water Damage

Grade 6

An Excellent-Near Mint card.

This card exhibits some minor and major flaws, notably any card that has a surface indentation on the front will receive this grade.

Cards that are bent will also receive this grade, it should be noted that warping caused by humidity or temperature changes are not considered bends.

Centering: Any
Print Lines
Chipped Edge
Scratches
Whitening
Minor Indentation (Front)
Bends
Creasing
Water Damage

Grade 5

An Excellent condition card.

This card shows some major flaws, such as deep indentations, major whitening or deep scratches.

There may also be major bending present, although the fibers of the card should be intact.

Centering: Any
Print Lines
Chipped Edge
Scratches
Whitening
Indentation
Bends
Creasing
Water Damage

Grade 4

A Very Good - Excellent condition card.

This card shows major flaws, including potentially light crease.

The surface may be worn and there could be damage to the corners and edges.

Centering: Any
Print Lines
Chipped Edge
Scratches
Whitening
Indentation
Bends
Minor Creasing
Water Damage

Grade 3

A Very Good condition card.

This card shows major flaws, including either multiple creases or a major crease.

The card shows no evidence of water damage.

Centering: Any
Print Lines
Chipped Edge
Scratches
Whitening
Indentation
Bends
Creasing
Water Damage

Grade 2

A Good condition card.

This card shows major flaws, including either multiple major creases.

The card might show evidence of minor water damage.

Centering: Any
Print Lines
Chipped Edge
Scratches
Whitening
Indentation
Bends
Creasing
Minor Water Damage

Grade 1

A Poor condition card, this card is damaged.

The card might show evidence of water damage, major creasing or folding, and is generally in bad shape.

One or two small pieces of the card may be missing, but the card is still mostly intact.

Centering: Any
Print Lines
Chipped Edge
Scratches
Whitening
Indentation
Bends
Creasing
Water Damage
Missing Material (Incomplete Card)

Authentic

A card that has been authenticated.

This card is considered to be Authentic by CollectoTCG authenticators.

The card was distributed by or in partnership with the licensed owners of the franchise in question.

The condition of the card is not taken into account, but the card must be considered intact to be authenticated.

Centering: Any
Missing Material (Incomplete Card)

Altered

A card that has been detected to have alteration.

The card might be altered using a marker, pen, pencil, or other foreign materials.

Cards that have visibly been altered using foreign substances may not receive a numerical grade, and instead be slabbed as "Authentic Altered"

Centering: Any
Missing Material (Incomplete Card)