Card conditions
One set of conditions for every card on CardBox, the same ones CardBox Trading stores use, so a card described here means the same thing to a collector and to a store. Look at the corners, the edges and the surface under an angled light, then pick the grade whose description fits all of it.
If in doubt, pick the lower grade. A card that arrives better than described makes a happy buyer; one that arrives worse starts a dispute.
NM Near Mint
Pack-fresh or nearly so. At arm's length it looks unplayed.
What it looks like
- Sharp corners with no whitening
- Clean edges; at most one tiny nick you have to look for
- Glossy surface; a faint mark is visible only under a light
Not this grade if
- Any whitening you notice without hunting for it
- Scratches, scuffs, bends or dents
LP Lightly Played
Minor wear that a careful look finds. Fine for play in a sleeve.
What it looks like
- Light whitening on a few edges or corners
- Small surface scuffs or a slight scratch
- Corners still mostly sharp
Not this grade if
- Bends, creases or dents
- Water damage, writing or stickers
MP Moderately Played
Obvious wear from use, but the card is sound.
What it looks like
- Whitening along most edges and corners
- Visible scratches or a cloudy surface
- A minor bend or a small dent
Not this grade if
- A crease through the card
- Tears, water damage or missing pieces
HP Heavily Played
Major wear everywhere, but the card is whole and easy to identify.
What it looks like
- Heavy whitening and rounded corners
- Creases, a clear bend, or scuffing across the face
- Writing, ink or sticker residue
Not this grade if
- Tears, holes or missing pieces
- Water damage that warps the card
DMG Damaged
Beyond heavily played: the damage is the first thing you see.
What it looks like
- Tears, holes or missing pieces
- Water damage, warping or heavy creasing
- Trimming or alterations
Graded Graded
Sealed in a grading company's slab. The slab's company, grade and certificate number replace a raw condition.
What it looks like
- A tamper-evident case with the company's label
- The grade printed on the label, e.g. 10, 9.5, PRISTINE 10 or Authentic
- A certificate number you can look up with the company
Not this grade if
- A card in a top-loader or a magnetic holder: that is still a raw card
Grading companies
Pick the company printed on the slab. If yours is not listed, choose Other and type the company and the grade exactly as the label shows them. CardBox does not check slabs: the certificate number lets a buyer look the card up with the company.
| Company | Name | Scale |
|---|---|---|
| PSA | Professional Sports Authenticator | 1-10, half grades |
| BGS | Beckett Grading Services | 1-10 halves, Pristine and Black Label 10, sub-grades |
| BVG | Beckett Vintage Grading | 1-10 halves |
| BCCG | Beckett Collectors Club Grading | 1-10 |
| CGC | CGC Cards | 1-10 halves, Pristine 10 |
| CGC (legacy) | CGC Trading Cards, legacy scale | 1-10 halves, Pristine 10 |
| SGC | Sportscard Guaranty | 1-10 halves, Pristine 10 |
| CSG | Certified Sports Guaranty (now CGC) | 1-10 halves, Pristine 10 |
| HGA | Hybrid Grading Approach | 1-10 halves |
| TAG | Technical Authentication & Grading | 1-10 with a 1000-point score |
| ACE | ACE Grading | 1-10 |
| GMA | GMA Grading | 1-10 halves |
| ISA | International Sports Authentication | 1-10 |
| KSA | KSA Certification (Canada) | 1-10 halves |
| MNT | MNT Grading (Canada) | 1-10 halves |
| Arena Club | Arena Club | 1-10 halves |
| PGI | Platinum Grading International | 1-10 |
| RCG | Rare Card Grading | 1-10 |
| GAI | Global Authentication (historic) | 1-10 halves |
| PRO | Professional Grading | 1-10 |
| Edge | Edge Grading | 1-10 |
| Rare Edition | Rare Edition | 1-10 |
| FGS | FGS Grading | 1-10 |
| AGS | Automated Grading Systems | 1-10 |
| GemMint | GemMint Grading | 1-10 |
| TCG Grading | TCG Grading | 1-10 |
| Collectors Universe | Collectors Universe (other brands) | varies |