Card Condition & Grading
Understand card conditions, properly evaluate your cards and manage graded cards.
Atticard uses a standardised scale to describe card condition. Here's each level in detail:
- Mint (M) — Card in perfect condition. No visible defects, even under close examination. Edges, corners, surface and centring are flawless.
- Near Mint (NM) — Almost perfect card with very minor imperfections. Slight wear on an edge or corner, only visible up close.
- Excellent (EX) — Slight signs of wear visible. Small white marks on edges, micro-scratches on the surface. The card remains in very good overall condition.
- Good (GD) — Moderate visible wear. More pronounced edge whitening, some scratches on the surface, slight bending possible.
- Light Played (LP) — Significant wear. Clearly worn edges, visible scratches, light creases. The card remains structurally intact.
- Played (PL) — Heavy wear. Prominent creases, very worn edges, deep scratches. The card shows clear signs of extensive use.
Properly evaluating your cards' condition is essential for a successful sale. Here are our tips:
Examination conditions:
- Use good lighting — Natural light or a direct lamp helps reveal all defects.
- Examine from different angles — Tilt the card to detect surface scratches.
Points to check:
- Edges — Look for whitening or wear.
- Corners — Check they are not bent or dinged.
- Surface — Look for scratches, stains or print marks.
- Centring — Check if the borders are uniform on all four sides.
Golden rule: when in doubt, grade lower. It's better for the buyer to be pleasantly surprised than disappointed.
Atticard accepts cards graded by recognised certification organisations:
- PSA (Professional Sports Authenticator)
- BGS (Beckett Grading Services)
- CGC (Certified Guaranty Company)
To sell a graded card:
- The certification number must be visible in the photos.
- The grade assigned by the organisation must be clearly stated in the listing.
- Take photos of the complete case (front and back) showing the card and certification label.
If you receive a card whose condition doesn't match what was stated, you can contest it.
Steps to follow:
- Document the issue — Take clear photos showing the defects not mentioned in the listing.
- Open a dispute — From your order, report the grading issue and attach your photos.
- Arbitration — Our team compares the listing photos with those you provide and makes a decision.
If the disagreement is confirmed, you will be fully refunded. The seller will be notified and measures may be taken on their account in case of repeat offences.