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The TrueMint Standard

The Grading
Scale

Every card is judged on centering, corners, edges, and surface — then placed on a 1–10 scale topped by our namesake grade, True Mint 10. Here is exactly what each grade means.

Judged on four points

What Every Grade Measures

No single factor decides a grade. Our graders weigh all four — and the weakest one sets the ceiling.

Centering

Front and back borders measured for balance, e.g. 50/50 or 55/45.

Corners

Checked for sharpness, whitening, fraying, or rounding.

Edges

Inspected for nicks, chipping, and wear along every side.

Surface

Examined for print lines, scratches, scuffing, and holo clarity.

From flawless to authentic

The TrueMint Grade Ladder

Twelve tiers, from a perfect 10 True Mint down to an A for authenticity. Hover any grade to read the standard in full.

Your overall grade can only score up to one grade higher than your lowest sub-grade.

True Mint
10
Highest Grade
Our Namesake Grade

A flawless card in every respect — absolute perfection.

  • Perfect 50/50 centering on both front and back.
  • Zero print lines, whitening, or surface flaws — even under magnification.
  • Corners razor-sharp, edges immaculate, holo surfaces mirror-clean.
10
Gem Mint
Tier 02

Nearly perfect, with only the most minute imperfections.

  • Centering at least 55/45 or better on the front, 60/40 or better on the back.
  • No noticeable wear; one micro flaw may appear under magnification.
  • Exceptional eye appeal and overall presentation.
9
Mint
Tier 03

A superb card with minimal flaws.

  • Centering typically 60/40 or better.
  • May show one or two minor flaws — a faint print line, slight corner tip wear, or a subtle edge nick.
  • Still retains a clean, crisp appearance.
8
Near Mint
Tier 04

Beautiful overall, with only slight wear under close inspection.

  • Minor surface scratches, small print lines, or light corner touches may be visible.
  • Retains most of its original gloss and sharpness.
  • Excellent eye appeal for collectors and display.
7
Excellent
Tier 05

Minor wear, but still clean and visually strong.

  • Noticeable but light edge or corner wear and small surface marks.
  • Slight whitening or faint scuffing, but no major damage.
  • Excellent overall presentation for display or collection.
6
Very Good
Tier 06

Shows moderate signs of handling or play.

  • Noticeable whitening or edge wear, small surface scratches, or light creases.
  • Colors and artwork remain intact and appealing.
  • A strong mid-grade example with solid structure.
5
Fine
Tier 07

Clearly played, but still retains decent presentation.

  • Moderate corner wear, surface scratching, or a light crease that doesn't break the surface.
  • Gloss slightly dulled, but the card remains well-kept and structurally sound.
  • A collectible card with good overall integrity.
4
Fair
Tier 08

Moderate to heavy wear with visible flaws.

  • Multiple areas of whitening, corner rounding, or surface wear.
  • May include light creasing or small indentations.
  • Still visually identifiable and intact.
3
Worn
Tier 09

Heavily played, but complete and legible.

  • Obvious creasing, edge wear, and surface scuffing.
  • Some fading or grime may be present, but the card remains intact.
  • Good for play or nostalgic value.
2
Poor
Tier 10

Well-worn with major visible flaws.

  • Rounded corners, heavy creasing, or minor staining.
  • Gloss mostly gone, but the card remains complete and unaltered.
  • Suitable for filler or nostalgic purposes.
1
Damaged
Tier 11

Severely damaged or heavily played.

  • Creases, tears, stains, or missing material.
  • May show writing, water damage, or major surface loss.
  • A placeholder card with historical or sentimental significance only.
A
Authentic
Special

Genuine and verified — condition beyond the numeric scale.

  • Extremely worn: excessive creasing with extreme corner and edge damage.
  • Less than 95% of the card intact.
  • Encapsulated to certify authenticity rather than condition.
Before you submit

Important to Know

Signed & Autograph Cards

We reserve the right to decline any signed or autograph cards unless they are certified by a third-party company — for example, Topps Certified Signature Holographic Tape.

Maximum Thickness

The maximum thickness we can encapsulate is 130pt. Please make sure your card falls within this limit before sending it in for grading.

Ready to Find Your Grade?

Send us your cards and let our experts place each one on the scale — sealed, certified, and ready to display.

Submit Cards