Our Grading Standard

Every single we sell is graded by hand, by us, before it's listed. This page explains exactly what each condition means, so the grade on a listing tells you what will arrive.

How we grade

• Every card, one at a time. We check the front and back under bright light, then tilt the card to catch scratches and print lines that only show at an angle.
• The worst flaw sets the grade. A card with clean edges but one crease is graded by the crease.
• When in doubt, we grade down. If a card sits between two grades, it gets the lower one.
• Authenticity is checked too. We don't knowingly sell counterfeits or proxies. See how we spot fakes.

The grades

For more on what to look for at each grade, see our condition grading guide.

Near Mint (NM)

Looks like it was just pulled from a pack: sharp corners, clean edges, a glossy surface and no visible wear front or back. Minor factory imperfections, such as a tiny nick from the cutting sheet or faint print lines, can still be Near Mint. No creases, bends, scuffs or writing.

Lightly Played (LP)

Minor wear from careful play or handling. Expect light whitening on a few edges or corners, or a couple of light scratches. No creases, bends, water damage, or writing. Looks clean in a sleeve.

Moderately Played (MP)

Clearly used. Whitening around the border, scratching or scuffing on the surface, and noticeable corner wear, but no creases that break the card's structure. Still fully playable in a sleeve.

Heavily Played (HP)

Heavy wear. Heavy whitening, scratches or scuffing across the surface, rounded or dinged corners, and possibly a light crease or minor marking. Still identifiable and sleeve-playable, but clearly used.

Damaged (DMG)

Worn or damaged beyond Heavily Played: tears, water damage, ink or writing, heavy creasing, peeling, or anything that could make the card recognisable inside an opaque sleeve. Damaged cards may not be suitable for sanctioned tournament play.

Foils, etched foils and special treatments

Foils are graded on the same scale. Foil cards can curl slightly with humidity; a gentle curl that lies flat in a sleeve doesn't lower the grade, but a curl that leaves a bend or crease does. The finish (foil, etched, galaxy, surge and so on) is listed separately from the grade. See special foils explained.

If a card doesn't match its grade

The grade on the listing is a promise. If a card arrives in materially worse condition than its grade, you're entitled to a replacement (if available) or a full refund of that card, and we cover return shipping. Contact us within 14 days of receiving your order. See our Refund Policy for the details.

Questions about a grade?

Email orders@topdeckcards.ca before you order and we'll answer within 1 business day.