Grading scale

A clear view of every grade.

We assess each card as a whole and record four supporting subgrades: centering, surface, corners and edges.

HOW WE GRADE

Four subgrades, one final grade.

Each card is evaluated across centering, surface, corners and edges. Each dimension receives a score out of 10.

The subgrades are added and averaged to determine an interim final grade, then reviewed against the final-grade rules below.

Final grade rules

1.If two subgrades are equal and lower than the interim final grade, the final grade is lowered to match those two subgrades.
2.If the interim final grade is more than one point higher than the lowest subgrade, the final grade is lowered to one point above the lowest subgrade.
3.If centering is 20/80 or worse, an OC (off-centred) subgrade is recorded. The average of the other three subgrades determines the interim grade, then one point is deducted for the final overall grade.

REFERENCE GUIDE

Grading standards

Every card is assessed across centering, surface, corners and edges. This guide describes the condition normally associated with each subgrade.

TCG Grading standards for subgrades 10 through 1
Subgrade	Centering	Surface	Corners	Edges
10	The centering required is approximately 45/55 or better on front and back.	Perfectly clean surface, shows original sheen and if applicable, immaculate holofoil.	Shows smooth blemish free rounded corners.	Straight and clean edges.
9	The centering required is approximately 40/60 or better on front and back.	Clean surface, shows original sheen and if applicable, clean holofoil. One very small factory blemish allowed.	Should have smooth rounded corners from the factory. Can have one very small chip or one very small factory imperfection.	Straight and clean edges. Can have one very small chip or one very small factory imperfection.
8	The centering required is approximately 35/65 or better on front and back.	A clean surface with a small scratch or blemish allowed. May have one small factory defect.	It should have smooth rounded corners from the factory but may exhibit whitening or one very small factory imperfection.	It typically has clean edges with only a couple small chips or one small factory imperfection.
7	The centering required is approximately 30/70 or better on front and back.	The surface can show a few small scratches and blemishes with a possible very small indent. May have a few small factory defects.	It should have clean rounded corners from the factory but might be subject to whitening or chips including factory imperfections.	The card should have clean edges with only a couple small defects including factory imperfections.
6	The centering required is approximately 25/75 or better on front and back.	The surface can show multiple small scratches and blemishes or a possible small indent.	Corners may have small fraying, wear and whitening.	Edges may have a few chips or defects on multiple sides.
5	If the centering is approximately 20/80 or worse front and back it will receive an OC (off-centred) or MC (miss cut) subgrade.	The surface can show a few scratches and blemishes. The card may show a light crease or noticeable indentation.	Corners may show fraying, wear and a discernible amount of whitening.	Edges will typically have noticeable defects.
4	If the centering is approximately 20/80 or worse front and back it will receive an OC (off-centred) or MC (miss cut) subgrade.	The surface will typically show a few medium scratches and blemishes as well as creases and indentations.	Corners will typically display fraying, wear and a noticeable amount of whitening.	Edges may show substantial or widespread chips and whitening, including defects.
3	If the centering is approximately 20/80 or worse front and back it will receive an OC (off-centred) or MC (miss cut) subgrade.	Surface can show a few medium scratches, blemishes, light fading and possible dents and creases.	Corners may have heavy fraying and wear. Whitening will typically be present.	Edges may have extensive chips and defects. Whitening will typically be present along multiple edges.
2	If the centering is approximately 20/80 or worse front and back it will receive an OC (off-centred) or MC (miss cut) subgrade.	The surface can show many defects like scratches, blemishes, dents, creases and possible tears.	Corners may have heavy fraying and wear and/or heavy amounts of whitening.	Edges may have several defects and damage.
1	If the centering is approximately 20/80 or worse front and back it will receive an OC (off-centred) or MC (miss cut) subgrade.	The surface can have multiple very heavy scratches, blemishes, dents, creases and tears, including warping and other types of damage.	Corners will typically display heavy fraying, wear and tears.	Edges will exhibit extensive damage and defects.

Subgrade 10

Centering: The centering required is approximately 45/55 or better on front and back.
Surface: Perfectly clean surface, shows original sheen and if applicable, immaculate holofoil.
Corners: Shows smooth blemish free rounded corners.
Edges: Straight and clean edges.

Subgrade 9

Centering: The centering required is approximately 40/60 or better on front and back.
Surface: Clean surface, shows original sheen and if applicable, clean holofoil. One very small factory blemish allowed.
Corners: Should have smooth rounded corners from the factory. Can have one very small chip or one very small factory imperfection.
Edges: Straight and clean edges. Can have one very small chip or one very small factory imperfection.

Subgrade 8

Centering: The centering required is approximately 35/65 or better on front and back.
Surface: A clean surface with a small scratch or blemish allowed. May have one small factory defect.
Corners: It should have smooth rounded corners from the factory but may exhibit whitening or one very small factory imperfection.
Edges: It typically has clean edges with only a couple small chips or one small factory imperfection.

Subgrade 7

Centering: The centering required is approximately 30/70 or better on front and back.
Surface: The surface can show a few small scratches and blemishes with a possible very small indent. May have a few small factory defects.
Corners: It should have clean rounded corners from the factory but might be subject to whitening or chips including factory imperfections.
Edges: The card should have clean edges with only a couple small defects including factory imperfections.

Subgrade 6

Centering: The centering required is approximately 25/75 or better on front and back.
Surface: The surface can show multiple small scratches and blemishes or a possible small indent.
Corners: Corners may have small fraying, wear and whitening.
Edges: Edges may have a few chips or defects on multiple sides.

Subgrade 5

Centering: If the centering is approximately 20/80 or worse front and back it will receive an OC (off-centred) or MC (miss cut) subgrade.
Surface: The surface can show a few scratches and blemishes. The card may show a light crease or noticeable indentation.
Corners: Corners may show fraying, wear and a discernible amount of whitening.
Edges: Edges will typically have noticeable defects.

Subgrade 4

Centering: If the centering is approximately 20/80 or worse front and back it will receive an OC (off-centred) or MC (miss cut) subgrade.
Surface: The surface will typically show a few medium scratches and blemishes as well as creases and indentations.
Corners: Corners will typically display fraying, wear and a noticeable amount of whitening.
Edges: Edges may show substantial or widespread chips and whitening, including defects.

Subgrade 3

Centering: If the centering is approximately 20/80 or worse front and back it will receive an OC (off-centred) or MC (miss cut) subgrade.
Surface: Surface can show a few medium scratches, blemishes, light fading and possible dents and creases.
Corners: Corners may have heavy fraying and wear. Whitening will typically be present.
Edges: Edges may have extensive chips and defects. Whitening will typically be present along multiple edges.

Subgrade 2

Centering: If the centering is approximately 20/80 or worse front and back it will receive an OC (off-centred) or MC (miss cut) subgrade.
Surface: The surface can show many defects like scratches, blemishes, dents, creases and possible tears.
Corners: Corners may have heavy fraying and wear and/or heavy amounts of whitening.
Edges: Edges may have several defects and damage.

Subgrade 1

Centering: If the centering is approximately 20/80 or worse front and back it will receive an OC (off-centred) or MC (miss cut) subgrade.
Surface: The surface can have multiple very heavy scratches, blemishes, dents, creases and tears, including warping and other types of damage.
Corners: Corners will typically display heavy fraying, wear and tears.
Edges: Edges will exhibit extensive damage and defects.