Grading Scale

The Grading Authority uses an easy-to-understand 1-10 grading scale, with descending increments of one-half point (for example 10, 9.5, 9, 8.5, etc.).

Below is an outline of the TGA grading scale. This TGA grading criterion serves as an outline of our grading process. There may be other factors that come into play when determining the final grade of a card as outlined in the .5 note at the end of the scale.

A nearly perfect card. A clean surface free of scratches, dimples, stains, and print lines. 50/50 centering, clean edges, and sharp corners.

Image must be centered on the card within a 55/45 tolerance or better. The surface is free of scratches, dimples, stains, and print lines. Clean edges and sharp corners round out this grade.

A TGA Mint has 60/40 or better centering, a clean and sharp focus, four sharp corners, and clean edges. Minor flaws may exist including, but not limited to: slight wear to corners visible using magnification, subtle chipping or whiting of edges, minor surface blemishes hardly visible to the naked eye.

An 8 grade has 65/35 or better centering, corners may show slight wear, clean edges that may have a small amount of chipping, and a surface that may have slight flaws under magnification.

A Near Mint grade has 70/30 or better centering, minor wear on the corners, minor scratches, print lines, or spots. The Edges should be mostly clean but may exhibit some chipping and/or notching.

An EX/NM card has 75/25 or better centering. Surface has noticeable blemishes but no heavy scratches or gouges. Corners may exhibit slight fuzzing, but free of fraying. Edges may show moderate chipping, roughness, and potentially some minor notching.

Centering is 80/20 or better, corners may have minor rounding or fuzziness, edges may exhibit signs of chipping, notching and/or other imperfections. Printing defects and wear/loss of gloss along with some scratches may be present.

Centering is 85/15 or better, corners may be rounded, edges may show signs of chipping, notching, or light scuffing. Surface may have light creasing or scuffing.

Centering is 90/10 or better, corners display rounding or fuzz, but not extreme. Edges may show chipping/whiting and/or noticeable wear. Surface will show wear which may include scratches, scuffing, stains, or discoloration due to age.

Centering is 90/10 or better, rounding and/or fraying of the corners is prevalent. Edges may exhibit pronounced chipping, whiting, or notching. The surface may have substantial wear, staining, printing defects, or bending/creasing.

This card lacks all grading characteristics. Noticeable wear, discoloration, creasing, staining, etc. may all be present. We confirm card to be authentic.

.5 will be deducted from each grade that meets 90% of this standard grade. (i.e. A card shows 90% of the qualities of a 10, it will be graded a 9.5)

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