GRADING SCALE
Our 10-Point Grading System
At PokeOutpost, every card is assigned a grade from 1 to 10 based on its overall condition and appearance.
Our grading scale is designed to give collectors a simple, clear and easy-to-understand description of their card's condition.
Exceptional Condition
The highest grade available from PokeOutpost. A Grade 10 card is an outstanding example with an exceptionally clean appearance and virtually no noticeable wear.
A Gem card will typically have:
- Extremely clean surface
- Sharp, well-defined corners
- Clean edges
- Excellent overall centering
- No visible creases
- No significant dents
- No noticeable scratching
- Little to no visible whitening
- Excellent overall presentation
Outstanding Condition
A Grade 9 card is extremely clean and presents exceptionally well, but may have a very small imperfection preventing it from achieving a 10.
A Mint card may have:
- Very minor whitening
- A tiny corner imperfection
- A small surface mark
- A minor printing flaw
- Slight centering imbalance
- A small manufacturing imperfection
Excellent Condition
A Grade 8 card is a high-quality collector's card with minor imperfections that become noticeable during closer inspection.
An NM+ card may have:
- Light whitening
- Minor edge wear
- Slight corner wear
- Small surface marks
- Light scratches
- Minor print lines
- Slight centering issues
- Small manufacturing imperfections
Very Good Condition
A Grade 7 card remains a strong collector-quality example but shows more noticeable signs of handling or manufacturing imperfections.
A Near Mint card may have:
- Noticeable whitening
- Minor edge wear
- Slightly softened corners
- Small scratches
- Light surface wear
- Minor dents
- Visible print imperfections
- More noticeable centering issues
Above Average Condition
A Grade 6 card shows moderate imperfections but remains an attractive and collectible example.
An EX+ card may have:
- Moderate whitening
- Visible edge wear
- Corner wear
- Several small surface marks
- Light scratches
- Minor dents
- Printing imperfections
- Noticeable centering issues
Good Condition
A Grade 5 card has noticeable wear but remains complete, presentable and collectible.
An Excellent card may have:
- Moderate whitening
- More obvious corner wear
- Edge chipping
- Surface scratches
- Print lines
- Light dents
- Surface wear
- Moderate centering issues
- Minor creasing
Noticeably Worn
A Grade 4 card has significant visible wear across one or more areas.
A VG+ card may have:
- Heavy whitening
- Significant edge wear
- Rounded or damaged corners
- Multiple scratches
- Noticeable surface wear
- Dents or indentations
- Light creases
- Significant centering issues
Heavily Worn
A Grade 3 card has considerable wear and multiple obvious imperfections.
A Very Good card may have:
- Heavy whitening
- Significant corner damage
- Edge chipping
- Numerous scratches
- Heavy surface wear
- Multiple dents
- Creasing
- Bending
- Significant printing imperfections
Poor Condition
A Grade 2 card has extensive wear and serious condition issues.
A Good Grade 2 card may have:
- Extensive whitening
- Severe edge wear
- Heavily damaged corners
- Deep scratches
- Multiple creases
- Significant dents
- Bends
- Heavy surface deterioration
- Staining
- Major cosmetic damage
Severe Condition
The lowest grade available on the PokeOutpost grading scale.
A Grade 1 card has severe condition problems but remains sufficiently identifiable to receive a numerical grade.
A Damaged card may have:
- Severe creasing
- Major bends
- Extensive surface damage
- Severe corner damage
- Major edge damage
- Heavy staining
- Significant tears
- Missing portions
- Severe structural deterioration
