Our Grading Process and Grading Scale

GRADING PROCESS
GRADING SCALE

Our grading process is based on the experience of over 170,000 graded cards on the one hand and fundamentally sound and standardized methods for analysis, evaluation and documentation on the other hand.

In addition to these professional aspects, our work also incorporates our personal enthusiasm for TCGs, which has accompanied us through the world of trading card games since 1994.

Receiving and Verification

From the moment we receive your package, we document every step of the process, starting with unpacking your shipment in front of the camera.

We check the contents of every shipment for completeness and check every card for authenticity. All videos are archived and remain available if needed.

Each card is given a unique identification number in the form of a barcode. This ID allows the status of each card to be tracked at any time. All cards in an order go through the process together in a box that also has the order barcode on it.

Grading

The Grading starts with the centering. This is determined using high-resolution digital optical measuring equipment, without contact and with the highest precision and repeatability.

Centering is followed by a detailed inspection under various types of white light, cold and warm. Corners, edges and the surface are examined in a magnified view and under various lighting angles. Relevant observations, for example regarding scratches, print dots or print lines, are documented in detail.

In order to be able to precisely assess the condition of a card, we carry out a detailed analysis under black light in addition to the white light inspection. For this we use a dedicated darkroom in which stray light is 100% excluded.

Based on standards that are binding for all PCG offices, the individual subgrades are determined.

Checkpoint 1

According to the four-eyes principle, an interim check is carried out by a Senior Grader at Checkpoint 1.

This step contributes significantly to ensuring that our analysis is individually independent and that our results are reliable and consistent. The Senior Grader makes the decision on the Subgrades.

The overall grade is then determined according to a criteria equation. The overall grade cannot be more than 1 point higher than the lowest Subgrade.

Based on standards that are binding for all PCG offices, the individual subgrades are determined.

Label Production

Aesthetics, precision, exclusivity and timelessness come together in laser engraved metal labels. All our metal labels are produced in this four-fold harmony. Made to last forever, without bleaching or fading paper or ink.

Depending on the Grade the labels come in

Silver (up to 9),
Gold (9.5 and 10) or
Mirror gold (Pristine 10)

On the back of the label you will find the card data as well as a QR code that leads directly to the entry in the Pop Report.

Encapsulation by Ultrasonic Welding

Our slabs are designed for surface quality, stability and durability and manufactured from the high-performance plastic PMMA to meet our requirements. They are provided with our logo as a safety mark.

In the slab each card rests well protected in a PCG inner sleeve.

All slabs are sealed using ultrasonic welding to achieve maximum bond strength and reliability with minimal visibility of the weld on the slab.

Checkpoint 2

At Checkpoint 2 the slab is thoroughly checked again before shipping. If it is free of defects, it goes into the packaging and shipping process.

Outbound Shipping

For shipping all orders are checked once again for completeness. Then slabs are firstly placed in one of our PCG shipping boxes or highly durable envelopes. These offer an extra level of protection during shipping and are also a real eye-catcher.

The PCG box or envelope is then packaged in a neutral shipping box.

The whole process is documented on video.

The cards are then returned to you, including insurance and tracking, acccording to your choosing during the submission process.

10 Flawless

The PCG Flawless 10 features a 24 carat gold coated label. As the highest attainable grade from Premier Card Grading it is reserved for cards that are absolutely flawless in every category.

It is an incredibly rare grade that is awarded to fewer than 1% of all graded cards, making it the pinnacle of card grading. The 24K gold coating and the prestige of this label make it one of the most prized and sought-after distinctions in the world of collectible cards.

Features:

PCG Flawless 10 must achieve 10 on all 4 subgrades! With no visible defects across any of the 4 subgrades.
Centering: Must be 50/50 on both axis
24 carat coated gold metal engraved label.

10 Pristine

A PCG Pristine 10 is a nearly flawless card, with only a minor visible imperfection in one of the subgrade categories, which does not detract from the overall high level of eye appeal.

The card must retain sharp focus and its original gloss, with no stains and four sharp corners.

he centering must be within a 50/50 ratio on the front, and 60/40 or better on the back.

10 Gem Mint

A PCG Gem Mint 10 can have minor visible imperfections in two subgrade categories, but these do not detract from the card's overall high eye appeal.

The card must retain its original gloss and sharp focus, with no stains and four sharp corners.

The centering should be within a 50/50 to 55/45 ratio on the front and 60/40 or better on the back.

9.5 Gem Mint

A PCG Gem Mint 9.5 is a card that slightly falls short of meeting the eye appeal standards of a Pristine 10.

The centering of the card must be within a 50/50 ratio one way and 55/45 the other way on the front, with 60/40 or better on the back.

9 Mint

A PCG Mint 9 is a card in excellent condition, with a few minor visible imperfections across each subgrade that do not detract from its overall high eye appeal.

The card must retain sharp focus and its original gloss, with no stains and four sharp corners.

The centering should be within a 55/45 or better ratio on the front and 60/40 or better on the back.

8.5 NM-Mint+

A PCG NM-Mint+ 8.5 is a card that just falls short of meeting the requirements and eye appeal of a Mint 9.

The centering of the card must be within a 60/40 ratio on the front and 70/30 on the back.

8 NM-Mint

A PCG NM-Mint 8 is a card in excellent condition, with some slight imperfections that impact the overall high level of eye appeal.

The card may show minor wear on the corners and edges or display small wax stains and printing defects.

The centering must be within a 60/40 or 65/35 ratio on the front, and 80/20 or better on the back.

7.5 Near Mint+

A PCG Near Mint+ 7.5 is a card that slightly falls short of meeting the requirements for a NM-Mint 8.

The centering of the card must be within a 65/35 ratio on the front and 80/20 or better on the back.

7 Near Mint

A PCG Near Mint 7 is a card in excellent condition with slight noticeable imperfections that affect the overall eye appeal.

The card may show minor wear on the surface, corners, and edges, along with small wax stains and printing defects.

The centering must be within a 65/35 or 70/30 ratio on the front and 85/15 or better on the back.

6 Excellent

A PCG Excellent 6 is a card in excellent condition, with noticeable imperfections across multiple categories that impact the overall eye appeal.

The card may show wear and light scratches on the surface, slightly rounded corners, small amounts of whitening on the edges, and visible small wax stains or printing defects.

The centering must be within a 70/30 ratio on the front and 90/10 or better on the back.

5 Good

A PCG Good 5 is a card with slight wear and noticeable imperfections across multiple categories that impact the overall eye appeal.

The card may show wear, scratches, and dents on the surface, along with increased wear, rounded corners, whitening on the edges, visible wax stains, and printing defects. Some of the card's original gloss may also be compromised.

The centering must be within an 80/20 ratio on the front and 90/10 or better on the back.

4 Fair

A PCG Fair 4 is a card with moderate wear visible to the naked eye and a significant increase in imperfections across multiple categories.

The card may exhibit wear, including scratches, dents, small creases on the surface, chipped edges, rounded corners, and scrapes or scuff marks that could affect the original gloss.

The centering must be within an 80/20 ratio on the front, with any centering on the back considered acceptable.

3 Worn

A PCG Worn 3 is a card with significant visible wear and noticeable damage across multiple categories.

The card will show signs of deterioration, including a range of scratches, dents, and larger creases on the surface. Chipped and discolored edges will be visible, with blurry images and rounded corners. A majority of the gloss will be missing from the card.

The centering must be within an 85/15 ratio on the front, with any centering on the back considered acceptable.

IMAGE PENDING

2 Poor

A PCG Poor 2 is a card with significant damage that is easily visible to the naked eye.

The card will display heavy scratches, dents, and multiple large and small creases. Chipped and discolored edges will be prominent, with blurry images and heavily rounded corners. Nearly all of the gloss will be gone from both the front and back of the card.

The centering must be within a 90/10 ratio on the front, with any centering on the back considered acceptable.

1 Damaged

A PCG Damaged 1 is a card with excessive damage and very little eye appeal.

The card will show heavy damage, including major scratches, dents, and multiple large and small creases. Significant chipping and discolored edges will be evident, with heavily damaged rounded corners. All gloss will be absent from both the front and back of the card, and it may feature dirt, stains, or missing areas.

There are no centering requirements for this grade.