Graded-card guide

Corners, Edges and Surfaces

Chipping, whitening, dents, scratches, print lines and hidden defects.

Graded cards combine a physical collectible, a third-party opinion, a holder and a market premium. Each part deserves separate verification.

1. Use angled light

Use angled light should be evaluated against the exact card, issue, grading company, grade, qualifier and holder generation. Use official verification and recent completed sales rather than relying on label familiarity alone.

2. Inspect all corners

Inspect all corners should be evaluated against the exact card, issue, grading company, grade, qualifier and holder generation. Use official verification and recent completed sales rather than relying on label familiarity alone.

3. Check foil surfaces

Check foil surfaces should be evaluated against the exact card, issue, grading company, grade, qualifier and holder generation. Use official verification and recent completed sales rather than relying on label familiarity alone.

4. Look for indentations

Look for indentations should be evaluated against the exact card, issue, grading company, grade, qualifier and holder generation. Use official verification and recent completed sales rather than relying on label familiarity alone.

5. Document factory issues

Document factory issues should be evaluated against the exact card, issue, grading company, grade, qualifier and holder generation. Use official verification and recent completed sales rather than relying on label familiarity alone.

Verification rule: Never buy an expensive slab only because its certification number returns a valid result. Compare the physical item with the official record.

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