Service Standards
Learn about CGA grading standards and card fee structure.
Standard Card Grading Criteria Celebrity Photo Card Grading Criteria Fee Structure How to Submit
Standard Card Grading Criteria
This standard applies to domestic cards, trading card games, film & esports star cards, Japanese goods cards, sports star cards, and collectible cards with exclusive IP labels. Cards are scored based on corners, surface, centering, and edges, with a total score derived through weighted averaging. For cards with officially licensed autographs, an autograph score is assessed.
Score
10
Grade
PRISTINE
Score
10
Grade
GEM MINT+
Score
9.5
Grade
GEM MINT/P
Score
9.5
Grade
GEM MINT
Score
9
Grade
MINT
Score
8.5
Grade
NM-MT+
Score
8
Grade
NM-MT
Score
7.5
Grade
NM+
Score
7
Grade
NM
Score
6.5
Grade
EX-MT+
Score
6
Grade
EX-MT
Score
5.5
Grade
EX+
Score
5
Grade
EX
Score
4.5
Grade
VG-EX+
Score
4
Grade
VG-EX+
Score
3.5
Grade
VG-EX
Score
3
Grade
VG
Score
2.5
Grade
GOOD+
Score
2
Grade
GOOD
Score
1.5
Grade
FAIR
Score
1
Grade
POOR
Autograph Score: Judged based on ink quality, scored as an integer from 1-10
Common Subcategory Scores and Specific Grading Criteria Explanation
SURFACE
10
Extremely perfect to the naked eye, perfect under machine scanning and magnification
10
A few extremely small printing dots visible under machine scanning and magnification, no out-of-focus areas, allows for 1 instance of minor printing color loss. Card front nearly perfect, no scratches or more than 2 small dimples visible to naked eye, back has few minor printing lines or 1-2 minor short scratches
9
A small number of printing dots visible under machine scanning and magnification, 2 instances of minor printing color loss. Card front has 1-2 minor short scratches visible to naked eye or 3-4 minor small dimples, back has 1 long scratch or several minor short scratches or 2 small areas of printing lines
8.5
Card front has 1 relatively long/deep scratch or 2-3 short scratches or includes several small dimples, minor paint chipping/wear, etc. Back has 1-2 long scratches or multiple obvious small scratches or 3 dense areas of long printing lines
8
Card front has 1 obvious deep/long scratch or paint chipping/wear and other obvious serious flaws or 3-4 medium/short scratches or includes various dimples, wear, color loss, etc. Back has 3-4 long scratches or full surface printing lines or multiple obvious dimples, wear, creases, etc.
CORNERS
10
Extremely perfect to the naked eye, perfect under machine scanning and magnification
10
A few extremely small printing dots visible under machine scanning and magnification, no out-of-focus areas, allows for 1 instance of minor printing color loss. Card front nearly perfect, no scratches or more than 2 small dimples visible to naked eye, back has few minor printing lines or 1-2 minor short scratches
9
A small number of printing dots visible under machine scanning and magnification, 2 instances of minor printing color loss. Card front has 1-2 minor short scratches visible to naked eye or 3-4 minor small dimples, back has 1 long scratch or several minor short scratches or 2 small areas of printing lines
8.5
Card front has 1 relatively long/deep scratch or 2-3 short scratches or includes several small dimples, minor paint chipping/wear, etc. Back has 1-2 long scratches or multiple obvious small scratches or 3 dense areas of long printing lines
8
Card front has 1 obvious deep/long scratch or paint chipping/wear and other obvious serious flaws or 3-4 medium/short scratches or includes various dimples, wear, color loss, etc. Back has 3-4 long scratches or full surface printing lines or multiple obvious dimples, wear, creases, etc.
CENTERING
10
Extremely perfect to the naked eye, perfect under machine scanning and magnification
10
Nearly perfect to the naked eye, minor flaws under machine scanning and magnification. 1 tiny flaw visible to naked eye or 1-2 minor flaws not visible to naked eye
9
1 relatively small corner damage or bent corner visible to naked eye. 2 tiny flaws visible to naked eye or includes 2-3 minor flaws not visible to naked eye
8.5
1 relatively large corner damage or bent corner visible to naked eye. 2-3 small flaws visible to naked eye or includes 3-4 minor flaws not visible to naked eye
8
1 relatively serious corner damage or bent corner visible to naked eye. 3-4 small flaws visible to naked eye or includes multiple minor flaws not visible to naked eye on both front and back
EDGES
10
Extremely perfect to the naked eye, perfect under machine scanning and magnification
10
Nearly perfect to the naked eye, minor flaws under machine scanning and magnification. 1 tiny flaw visible to naked eye or 1-2 minor flaws not visible to naked eye
9
1 relatively small corner damage or bent corner visible to naked eye. 2 tiny flaws visible to naked eye or includes 2-3 minor flaws not visible to naked eye
8.5
1 relatively large corner damage or bent corner visible to naked eye. 2-3 small flaws visible to naked eye or includes 3-4 minor flaws not visible to naked eye
8
1 relatively serious corner damage or bent corner visible to naked eye. 3-4 small flaws visible to naked eye or includes multiple minor flaws not visible to naked eye on both front and back
Special Notes for Standard Card Grading
1. Autographs: For officially issued autographs with autograph copyright, a dual-score system is implemented. Can request autograph-only grading, or card-only grading (no autograph grade). By default, the dual-score system is used. For non-official autographs, post-production handwritten autographs, text, drawings, etc., we will determine whether to provide an autograph score.
2. Error Cards: Cutting issues do not qualify as error cards; printing errors do qualify as error cards. (Printing flaws do not qualify as error cards)
3. Damaged cards, pirated cards, counterfeit cards, and artificially recolored cards do not meet grading standards and will not be slabbed, but returned. (Damaged cards: Cards with missing parts, cracks, or excessive washing that do not meet grading standards.)