In order to determine the value of any trading card, it is very important to determine the quality of the card. This determination is known as grading. Every collector should become familiar with the basics of card grading in order to properly understand the value of their own collection and also to accurately describe the conditions of his or her cards for other traders. I think I can speak for most traders when I say I am not completely happy when I receive a card with a soft/dinged corner that was described as being mint. 

Packaging of cards for trades is also very important. I subscribe to the shake test--if after you have packaged a box of cards you shake it with both hands and hear cards slide back-and-forth you have NOT properly packaged your cards. Do not be surprised if you receive an e-mail telling you the cards were damaged, and do not blame the post office. Well-packaged boxes will have newspaper (or some other material) stuffed on at least three of the sides (one long edge, one short edge, and laying on the top). However you package the cards, just remember the shake test.

Grading Overview

Trading cards are graded and priced based on centering of the images, sharpness of the corners, gloss on the card, and the presence of any imperfections. Minor imperfections are slightly worn corners, frayed edges, printing marks and light surface scratches. Major imperfections are severe corner wear, wax stains, rubber-band marks, sun fading, mis-cuts, creases, tape, stains, thumbtack holes, writing and heavy scratches. Some sets have all cards of poor quality (98 Pacific Aurora for Football is a prime example) and few, if any, of the cards are mint. Other sets have cards that are incredibly off-center (99 Bowman Chrome or Topps Chrome for Football are prime examples). You should also note, that some grading services will not grade a card if it has incorrect dimensions, even if it is fresh from the pack. These cards will be rejected as having been "trimmed".

Grading Scale

Mint (MT) -- A card with four sharp corners, 50/50 centering, no imperfections or signs of wear. Even cards straight out of the pack do not always grade mint. Pre-1970 MT cards typically sell at 150 percent or more of the NM price.

Near Mint (NM) -- A near-perfect card with perhaps one minor imperfection, such as one blunt corner. Centering is no worse than 60/40 and the card must have its original gloss. NM cards are the standard by which other grades are usually gauged. Example: MT cards bring 150 percent of book.

Excellent-Mint (EX-MT) -- A card with only two or three minor imperfections. Must have original gloss and centering no worse than 70/30. EX-MT cards typically sell for 75 to 90 percent of the NM price.

Excellent (EX) -- A card with a few minor imperfections. Some original gloss is lost and the edges show moderate wear. All four corners typically show some wear. Centering is no worse than 75/25. EX cards usually sell for 50 percent to 75 percent of the NM price.

Very Good (VG) -- A card that shows obvious handling but is still attractive despite wear and imperfections. A VG card may have a crease, but one that's not severe enough to make the card unattractive. Most of the original gloss is lost. VG cards usually sell for 25 percent to 35 percent of the NM price.

Good (G), Fair (F), Poor (P) -- A very worn card with many major imperfections. Collectors use cards of these grades as fillers until better ones can be found. With very little market for such cards, they are valued at 5 percent to 10 percent of the NM price.

Grading Services

Many collectors prefer to get their best cards professionally graded. Some of the more commonly used grading services are listed here:

OGS - Online Grading Services

BGS - Beckett Grading Services

CEX - Certified Express

CSA - Certified Sports Authentication

CTA - CTA Grading Experts

Mint Grading Service

PGS - Professional Grading Services

PRO - PRO Sports Grading Inc.

PSA - Professional Sports Authenticator

Pro's Choice Card Graders

SGC - Sportscard Guaranty

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