Card conditions

We look at every card and give it one of five grades. The grade says how much wear the card has, not that it is perfect. Two people can look at the same card and land one grade apart — that is normal, and we always err on the careful side.

NM

Near Mint

Looks new at a glance.

Little to no wear. There may be a tiny nick on an edge or a very light scratch you have to hunt for. Not the same as "perfect" — a card straight from the pack can still have small factory marks.

LP

Lightly Played

Small signs of use.

A few light scratches, a bit of edge or corner wear, maybe slight whitening on the back. Nothing you would notice from across the table. Fine in a sleeve.

MP

Moderately Played

Clearly been played.

Noticeable scratches, whitening on the edges or corners, maybe a light crease or a small dent. Still whole and still fine to play in a sleeve.

HP

Heavily Played

Rough, but all there.

Heavy wear front and back: creases, bent corners, scuffs, maybe a small stain. Nothing missing. Priced low because it looks that way.

DMG

Damaged

Something is actually wrong with it.

A tear, water damage, writing, a hole, or a crease that goes through the card. Priced for what it is.

Good to know

  • No card is guaranteed flawless. Even a Near Mint card can have a tiny factory mark. If you need a card graded to a strict standard, a professional grading service is the place for that.
  • Foils and older cards show wear more easily and can carry light print lines or curl from the factory. We grade them by the same five steps.
  • Not fussy? When you buy a card without picking a condition, we send the best copy we have on hand.