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A card’s condition is evaluated based on the number and severity of imperfections it shows. These imperfections may result from play, handling, storage, or printing and manufacturing irregularities. Each imperfection is described by both its Type (for example, a scratch) and its Severity (for example, slight). Some flaws may affect the card’s overall integrity, as defined below. In most cases, imperfections that compromise integrity will cause a card to be classified as Damaged.
We evaluate three primary aspects when determining a card’s integrity:
Structure: The physical stability of the card and the durability of its cardstock.
Playability: Whether the card remains usable as a functional game piece.
Authentication: The ability to confirm the card’s legitimacy using the manufacturer’s official authentication features.
Cards graded Near Mint (NM) show very minimal signs of wear from shuffling, gameplay, or handling. They typically have a clean surface, sharp corners, and smooth edges, with only minor flaws if any. Slight edge wear or a few small scratches may be present, but overall the card appears nearly unused and free of major defects. Certain production flaws, such as miscuts or alignment issues, may still cause a Near Mint card to be classified as Damaged.
The Near Mint category includes both flawless cards and those with only a few minor imperfections.
Cards in Lightly Played (LP) condition may display minor edge wear, light scuffing, or small scratches. These cards should not have significant flaws or structural issues. Visible imperfections are acceptable, provided they are not severe or excessive.
This category covers cards with a small number of minor imperfections.
Cards in Moderately Played (MP) condition can exhibit noticeable edge wear, surface wear, scratches, scuffing, bends with creases, or a combination of moderate defects. Some issues — such as bends, peeling, or limited liquid exposure — may still be acceptable as long as they do not compromise the card’s structural integrity. Acceptability may depend on established measurement standards.
Cards graded Heavily Played (HP) show substantial wear. They may include multiple moderate imperfections, creasing, whitening, or other visible flaws. Severe cosmetic defects may be present as long as they do not affect the card’s structural integrity. Despite heavy wear, the card must still be authenticatable and structurally intact.
Damaged cards display wear or defects that exceed the limits of all other condition categories. These cards may show heavy border wear, extensive scratching or scuffing, bends, tears, splitting, contamination from food or liquids, or other damage that compromises the card’s structural integrity