OUR GRADING STANDARDS
At Fantasy Cards Authenticator (FCA), we employ a grading standard in line with the market to provide a recognizable service on a classic scale ranging from 1 to 10.
Our team consists of industry professionals with extensive knowledge of the collecting world, dedicated to a rigorous and objective grading process.
Aspects we evaluate during the Grading Process
The final grade a card receives is based on the analysis of several aspects, and we refer to the evaluation of each of them as Subgrade.
SURFACE
We assess the overall condition of the card’s surface, both front and back. We analyze the presence of paint damage, breaks in holographic patterns, wrinkles, marks, etc.
CORNERS
We score the general condition of the four corners of the card. In this section, we check that they are well-defined and properly cut. Any defect or damage, whether on the front or back, will affect the final grade.
EDGES
We analyze the condition of the four edges of the card, reviewing the cut and its integrity, the presence of marks and whitening, as well as the overall condition of the paint.
CENTERING
We score the overall centering of a card, independently reviewing the front and back. The relationship between both sides determines the final grade for this subgrade.
Our algorithm places greater importance on the front condition of the card over the back.
When evaluating each subgrade, a partial score is established for each side, and the side with the lower score will have a greater impact on the final grade, as it reflects the worst condition of the card for that specific aspect.
The final subgrade score may be better than the lowest partial grade as long as the condition of the other side is sufficiently superior.
FCA Grading scale
Fantasy Cards Authenticator operates under a classic scale ranging from 1 to 10, assigning final grades in increments of half a point.
Cards that receive a final grade with a half-point increment (e.g., 8.5) will include a “+” indicator to signify that they share characteristics of both the immediately lower and upper levels (the only exception to this is the 1.5 grade, which receives the FAIR indicator).
10 / PRISTINE
This is a virtually perfect card. It must have a surface free of damage and dirt, with perfectly preserved and cut corners and edges. A minimal amount of damage will be tolerated as long as it does not affect the card’s integrity and is not noticeable at first glance. Centering must be at least 55/45 on the front and 60/40 on the back.
This grade is only awarded if all aspects (subgrades) receive a grade of 10.
10 / GEM MINT
This is a virtually perfect card. It must have a surface free of damage and dirt, with perfectly preserved and cut corners and edges. A minimal amount of damage will be tolerated as long as it does not affect the card’s integrity and is not noticeable at first glance. Centering must be at least 55/45 on the front and 60/40 on the back.
This grade is awarded when a card receives three subgrades of 10 and one of 9.5.
9 / MINT
The card must exhibit very good overall condition. It may show some minor defects that are noticeable at first glance but do not affect the card’s integrity. Light defects due to its manufacturing are allowed. Centering must be at least 60/40 on the front and 70/30 on the back.
8 / NEAR MINT–MINT (NM–M)
At first glance, the card will have good overall condition. The surface may show light superficial damage. The printing must be sharp. The corners may have slight wear. Centering must be at least 65/35 on the front and 80/20 on the back.
7 / NEAR MINT
The card will have good overall presence. The surface may have some minor defects in clarity or damage, as long as they are barely visible at first glance. The corners may show slight wear. Centering must be at least 70/30 on the front and 90/10 on the back.
6 / EXCELLENT–NEAR MINT (EX–NM)
A card with good presence but slight damage to its surface or corners. The damage will be easily detectable at first glance. The corners may have irregular patterns or be slightly damaged. Centering must be at least 75/25 on the front and 90/10 on the back.
5 / EXCELLENT
Overall, this is a card with good presence but whose defects begin to be easily detectable. It may show light damage on the surface, and the corners or edges will have a consistent appearance, albeit with some superficial damage. Centering must be at least 80/20 on the front and 95/5 on the back.
4 / VERY GOOD-EXCELLENT (VG-EX)
The card will show noticeable aesthetic damage. Its integrity is largely maintained. There will be signs of wear and light dirt. The corners may show damage or irregular cuts. Centering must be at least 85/15 on the front and 95/5 on the back.
3 / VERY GOOD
The card presents generalized integrity. It may have small wrinkles and damage or irregularities at the corners. It may show some wear and dirt. Centering must be at least 90/10 on the front and 100/0 on the back.
2 / GOOD
A card with this score shows a generally damaged condition. It will typically exhibit dirt on the surface, generalized wear, light bends and/or wrinkles. Centering must be at least 95/5 on the front and 100/0 on the back.
1 / POOR
By definition, this is the worst condition a card can present. To state examples, but not limit to, it may contain the following: wrinkles, generalized wear, damaged surface, visible internal layers, bends and creases, tears, etc. The minimum centering will be 100/0 on the front and 100/0 on the back.
The final grade is based on the relationship of the four subgrades: surface, corners, edges, and centering.
The subgrade with the lowest score will have a critical impact on the final grade that the card receives, as that specific aspect is considered the most limiting condition.
The final grade may be up to one point higher (in half-point increments) than the value of the worst subgrade, provided that the relationship with the other subgrades allows it.
If the lowest score is repeated in at least two subgrades, regardless of the others, that will be the card’s final grade.
Generally, if three subgrades share the same score and the fourth is half a point lower than the others, the final grade of the card will be set to the value of the immediately higher level.
Other kind of identifiers your cards may have
Here we show you what other qualifiers your cards can receive after being analyzed by our team, what each one consists of, and their implications.
ART
This identifier is awarded only to original cards that have been artistically modified. These cards will not receive any grade associated with them, only the identifier ART on the label. Like regular cards, they will be encapsulated.
ALTERED
This identifier is assigned to cards that have been altered with the intention of restoring aspects that were previously damaged. It is typically applied to older cards. It is essential that the card is authentic. This card will not receive a grade for its condition; instead, the label will indicate that it is an altered item. They will be encapsulated just like regular cards.
All information presented here is a simplification of the protocol used for the evaluation and grading of cards and should be taken as merely illustrative.
Counterfeit or fake cards have no place in the grading process. These cards will NOT be graded or encapsulated. They will be returned to the client with an indication that they are a counterfeit. The service will be charged in full.