Pokemon Card Condition Guide — How to Grade Your Cards

Why card condition matters

Condition is the most important factor in a trading card's value after the card itself. A Charizard ex in Near Mint condition can be worth 3–5x more than the same card in Played condition. Getting this right — both when buying and selling — is essential.

The standard UK grading scale

Mint (M)

Fresh from the pack, never touched by human hands. True Mint cards are extremely rare once removed from sealed product. Most cards pulled from packs are technically Near Mint, not Mint.

Near Mint (NM)

The standard for high-quality cards. Near Mint cards show no visible wear to the naked eye. Minor, almost imperceptible print lines may be present. This is the most common grade you'll see for recently pulled cards.

What to look for: No whitening on edges, no scratches on the holo, no dents or creases. Centering should be 60/40 or better.

Excellent (EX)

Light play wear that doesn't significantly impact the card's appearance from a distance. Some edge whitening may be visible under direct light. No major scratches on the surface.

Price impact: Typically 60–80% of Near Mint value.

Good (GD)

Moderate play wear. Edge whitening is clearly visible. Some surface scratches may be present on holo cards. The card is still structurally sound with no creases.

Price impact: Typically 40–60% of Near Mint value.

Light Play (LP)

Significant visible wear. Heavy edge whitening, multiple surface scratches. Still a complete card with no major structural damage.

Played (PL)

Heavy wear that is immediately obvious. May have minor creases or bends that don't break the card.

Poor

Major damage — significant creases, tears, writing, or water damage. Typically only worth face value or used for proxy purposes.

Graded cards (PSA, BGS, CGC)

Professional grading gives cards a numeric score (1–10) and seals them in a protective case. This adds credibility, protection, and often significant value.

Grade

Equivalent

Notes

|-------|------------|-------|

PSA 10	Gem Mint	Perfect in every way
PSA 9	Mint	Minor imperfections
PSA 8	Near Mint-Mint	Light wear
PSA 7	Near Mint	Moderate wear

Tips for accurate grading

1. Use good lighting — natural daylight or a bright lamp reveals wear that indoor lighting hides 2. Check all four edges — edge whitening often appears on corners first 3. Tilt the card — surface scratches only show at certain angles 4. Check centering — misprint cards from the factory can affect value 5. When in doubt, grade lower — buyers trust sellers who grade conservatively

Searching by condition on Waevin

You can filter listings by condition on Waevin's browse page. When condition is GRADED, you can further filter by grading company (PSA, BGS, CGC) to find slabbed cards.