Grading Standards

Our Professional Grading Scale

FLG Grading uses a comprehensive 10-point grading scale to evaluate trading cards based on condition, centering, corners, edges, and surface quality.

Grading Scale Overview

GEM MINT 10

Perfect card with sharp corners, perfect centering, and flawless surface.

MINT 9

Near perfect card with minimal imperfections visible under close inspection.

NEAR MINT 8

Excellent condition with slight corner wear or minor centering issues.

EXCELLENT 7

Very good condition with minor corner rounding and slight surface wear.

VERY GOOD 6

Good condition with noticeable corner wear and possible minor creases.

GOOD 5

Average condition with visible wear, rounded corners, and surface scratches.

Detailed Grading Criteria

Centering (40% of grade)

  • Perfect (10): 50/50 to 55/45 centering
  • Excellent (8-9): 60/40 to 65/35 centering
  • Good (6-7): 70/30 to 75/25 centering
  • Poor (1-5): Worse than 75/25 centering

Corners (25% of grade)

  • Sharp: Perfect 90-degree angles
  • Slightly Rounded: Minor rounding visible
  • Rounded: Noticeable corner rounding
  • Heavily Rounded: Significant corner damage

Edges (20% of grade)

  • Clean: Smooth, straight edges
  • Minor Roughness: Slight edge wear
  • Moderate Wear: Visible edge damage
  • Heavy Wear: Significant edge problems

Surface (15% of grade)

  • Flawless: No visible imperfections
  • Minor Issues: Tiny scratches or print dots
  • Moderate Issues: Visible scratches or stains
  • Major Issues: Creases, wrinkles, or heavy damage

Special Designations

PRISTINE

Perfect 10 with exceptional eye appeal and premium characteristics.

BLACK LABEL

Perfect centering, corners, edges, and surface with superior quality.

AUTHENTIC

Card has been verified as genuine but condition prevents numerical grading.

Our Grading Process

1

Initial Inspection

Cards are examined for authenticity and overall condition assessment.

2

Detailed Evaluation

Professional graders assess centering, corners, edges, and surface quality.

3

Grade Assignment

Final grade is determined based on our comprehensive criteria.

4

Encapsulation

Cards are sealed in tamper-proof holders with grade labels.

Quality Assurance

All cards undergo a multi-step verification process with multiple graders to ensure accuracy and consistency. Our quality control measures include regular calibration sessions and ongoing training for our grading team.

Back to Home