Collector guide
How to check Pokemon card condition
Small defects can create a large price gap. Inspect the card under soft, angled light and describe what you actually see.
Surface
Check the front and back for scratches, dents, creases, stains, clouding, print lines, and binder impressions. Tilt the card slowly; some damage only appears when light moves across the surface.
Corners and edges
Look for whitening, chips, fraying, soft corners, and bends. Use a dark, plain background when checking white-bordered wear on the back. A sleeve can hide edge flaws, so inspect carefully without handling the card more than necessary.
Centering
Compare the border width on opposite sides of both the front and back. Centering is especially important for high grades, but visual standards differ by grading company and card design.
Use condition labels carefully
Labels such as Near Mint, Lightly Played, and Moderately Played are marketplace conventions, not universal scientific grades. Read the marketplace definition and include clear photos rather than relying on the label alone.
When checking value, compare the same printing in a similar condition. Do not use a graded-card sale to estimate an ungraded copy without accounting for grading and condition.