Card Condition & Grading Guide

Artistic modifications extending artwork or modifying borders.

Altered cards have their original artwork modified or extended by an artist. Such cards must always be listed with clear photos and marked appropriately. Altered cards cannot be listed as Mint or Near Mint.

Mapping between US market tiers (NM, SP, MP, HP, DMG) and CardBasar (MT, NM, EX, GD, LP, PL, PO).

Conversion reference: Mint/Near Mint (M/NM) = MT/NM, Slightly Played (SP) / Lightly Played (LP) = Excellent (EX), Moderately Played (MP) = Good (GD), Played (PL) = Light Played (LP), Heavily Played (HP) = Played (PL), and Damaged (DMG) = Poor (PO).

Structural paper damage resulting from folding or compression.

A bend occurs when the internal paper core fibers have been compressed or fractured. Visible creases immediately classify a card as Played (PL) or Poor (PO). Near Mint and Excellent cards must never have creases.

Applying ink or marker to card borders is strictly graded POOR and prohibited if undisclosed.

Coloring card borders with marker to hide play wear or mimic black-bordered editions destroys collector authenticity. Any card with inked borders must be listed as Poor (PO). Misrepresenting inked cards is grounds for seller account suspension.

Microscopic friction wear causing card gloss to appear hazy.

Clouding results from microscopic friction against sleeves or binders over time. It gives the surface a dull, matte look under light. Visible clouding precludes a card from being graded Near Mint (NM).

Holographic cards require extra inspection for hairline scratches and curling.

Foil surfaces are more vulnerable to hairline scratches and atmospheric curling. Always inspect holographic cards under direct daylight for surface abrasion.

Professional grading tier (PSA 10 / BGS 9.5+) indicating factory perfection.

CardBasar does not use Gem Mint for raw ungraded cards because player grading focuses on Mint (MT) and Near Mint (NM). For professional third-party graded slabs (PSA, BGS, CGC, ACE), the numeric grade is displayed separately.

Cards retouched with pens or markers must always be graded POOR.

Applying ink or pen to borders, text, or artwork to cover wear is considered artificial alteration. Such cards are automatically classified as Poor (PO) and must be clearly identified with real photos.

Vintage cards follow the exact same standards as modern prints.

No grading allowances are made for age. A 25-year-old vintage card must satisfy the exact same structural, edge, and surface criteria as a modern print. Vintage cards should not be graded leniently due to age.

Why partial grades should be avoided in favor of standard tiers.

While sellers may mention designations like NM- or EX+ in listing comments, our official catalog filter uses the 7 discrete grades (MT, NM, EX, GD, LP, PL, PO). If unsure between two tiers, always list at the lower grade with descriptive notes.

Curvature from atmospheric humidity vs permanent structural deformation.

Minor natural curling from humidity is acceptable for foils and non-mint cards, provided the card flattens inside a sleeve. Permanent structural deformation requires grading as Played (PL) or Poor (PO).

Factory miscuts, crimps, and centering issues vs player wear.

Factory printing misalignments, ink errors, and crimps are manufacturing defects, not user wear. They do not lower the physical condition grade, but sellers must provide photos and describe the misprint in listing notes.

Authenticated slabs graded on a 1–10 scale.

CardBasar supports dedicated graded listings. Sellers enter the grading company (PSA, BGS, CGC, SGC, ACE), numeric grade, and certification number with direct verification links to the authenticator database.

How surface abrasions impact Near Mint, Excellent, and Good ratings.

Zero scratches are permitted on Mint (MT) and Near Mint (NM). Faint hairline scratches visible only at an angle are allowed on Excellent (EX). Deep or multiple scratches immediately place a card in Good (GD) or lower.

Signatures by illustrators or game creators vs unauthorized writing.

A card may be listed as 'Signed' if it bears an authentic signature from the card artist, game designer, or notable champion. Random doodles or unauthorized signatures must be graded Poor (PO).

Official tournament and regional championship stamps.

Tournament-stamped cards from official events constitute an alteration. If the stamp obscures artwork heavily, it must be accurately disclosed in listing photos.

Water wrinkling, swelling, and warping.

Liquid contact causes permanent paper swelling and waviness. Minor water contact that remains sleeve-playable is Light Played (LP) to Played (PL). Severe warping or discoloration must be graded Poor (PO).

Natural wear along dark card borders exposing white cardstock.

Edge whitening is the most common form of play wear. NM allows 1-2 tiny specks; EX allows light edge wear; GD allows moderate whitening around borders; LP and PL have extensive whitening.