Grading standards: How are your cards graded?
We have acquired all the necessary tools and updated equipment to perform a grading process in which the personal opinion and subjective ratings are avoided in favour of real and tangible data. This means that your cards will be analysed by using the same forensic equipment that is used by police or airport control officers.
As good collectors, we take the grading and authentication process very seriously, and thus, the final score obtained by your cards will accurately reflect their real condition.
Characteristics that we analyse during the process.
The grading score of a card is based on the analysis of various features:
AUTHENTICITY
SURFACE
CORNERS
The general condition of the four corners that make up the card is also considered. In this section, we check if corners are perfectly defined and well cut. Any defect or damage, either to the front or back, will impact the final score.
EDGES
The condition of the four edges of the card is also analysed. The cut and the integrity of the edges is checked as well as the presence of damage marks, whitening, and the general condition of the paint.
CENTERING
As the previously described features, centering is also analysed in both front and back part of the card. It is evaluated how good the centering of the card content is, by measuring and analysing the outer frame. The final grade will depend on the detected deviation in any of the three variants: vertical, horizontal or rotational.
Grade definitions at FCA
In the card collecting world the grading scales are normally defined with English identifiers.
It is important to note that FCA uses a 0.5 jumping grading scale in scores below “9-Mint”. This means that if your card scores a 8.5, the NEAR-MINT label will be accompanied by a “+”, indicating the slightly higher grading score due to a better condition.
A general view of the grading scale that we use is shown below.
“Take into account that what is shown here is a simplified version of the scales defined in the grading protocols and of the results obtained by the data analysis programmes.”
10 / GEM MINT / PRISTINE
The name makes it clear that is a card in a perfect condition. The surface must not have any damaged or dirt and it must be absolutely intact. The holographic art must not have any breaks or damage to the brightness. The corners must be perfectly preserved and cut. The centering must be perfect. All these characteristics are verified and revisited visually, using digital augment elements and forensic documentation analysis machinery and tools.
9 / MINT / M
8 / NEAR MINT – MINT / NM – M
7 / NEAR MINT / NM
6 / EXCELLENT – NEAR MINT / EX – NM
5 / EXCELLENT / EX
4 / VERY GOOD-EXCELLENT / VG-EX
Card will show aesthetic damage but none that impact the card integrity. Wear and tear and slight dirt is acceptable at this grade. Corners can show damages but folds on them are not permitted.
3 / VERY GOOD / VG
The card shows a general good condition. It may have small wrinkles and damage to the corners, as well as some wear and tear.
2 / GOOD
A card rated with this score shows a general damaged condition. It will normally have a dirty surface, general wear, and folds and wrinkles.
1 / POOR
Other kind of identifiers that your cards can receive
ART
ALTERED
COUNTERFEIT / COPY / FAKE CARD
Counterfeit or fake cards are not included in our grading process.
These cards WILL NEITHER BE graded NOR encapsulated.
Cards will be returned to the customer indicating that are counterfeit. The authentication service will be charged in full.