Grading Standards
How PJG evaluates and grades every trading card
The PJG Grading Scale
Grades from 1 (Poor) to 10 (Pristine) — each with clear, published criteria
Perfect in every way. No visible flaws under 5x magnification. Perfectly centered.
Near perfect. Only the slightest imperfection allowed — virtually undetectable.
Mint condition. Minor printing imperfections acceptable. Sharp corners.
Minor wear visible only under close inspection. One small flaw allowed.
Light wear on one or two corners. Slight surface marks may be present.
Moderate surface wear. Corners show slight rounding. Minor creases allowed.
Obvious wear. Corners show definite rounding. Some surface marks visible.
Heavy wear with some creasing. All four corners show rounding.
Very heavy wear. Creases, staining, and significant corner rounding.
Extreme wear. Heavy creasing and damage throughout.
Poor condition. Major damage, heavy creasing, torn edges or corners.
Four Grading Criteria
Every card is scored across four dimensions. The final grade reflects the overall condition.
Centering
50/50 idealMeasures how centered the printed image is within the card borders. Checked front and back. Perfect centering (50/50) scores highest.
Corners
4 cornersAll four corners are inspected under magnification. Fraying, rounding, nicking, or creasing all affect this score.
Edges
4 edgesAll four edges are inspected for nicks, chips, and rough cuts. Even minor edge wear is noted.
Surface
Front & backFront and back surfaces are examined for scratches, print lines, stains, creases, or loss of gloss.
Ready to Submit Your Cards?
Professional grading starts at ฿499. Fast, secure, and transparent.
Start Submission →