Graded-card guide

Qualifiers and Card Designations

Off-center, miscut, altered, authentic-only and other label language.

Graded cards combine a physical collectible, a third-party opinion, a holder and a market premium. Each part deserves separate verification.

1. Read exact label

Read exact label should be evaluated against the exact card, issue, grading company, grade, qualifier and holder generation. Use official verification and recent completed sales rather than relying on label familiarity alone.

2. Understand service policy

Understand service policy should be evaluated against the exact card, issue, grading company, grade, qualifier and holder generation. Use official verification and recent completed sales rather than relying on label familiarity alone.

3. Compare market acceptance

Compare market acceptance should be evaluated against the exact card, issue, grading company, grade, qualifier and holder generation. Use official verification and recent completed sales rather than relying on label familiarity alone.

4. Do not ignore designation

Do not ignore designation should be evaluated against the exact card, issue, grading company, grade, qualifier and holder generation. Use official verification and recent completed sales rather than relying on label familiarity alone.

Verification rule: Never buy an expensive slab only because its certification number returns a valid result. Compare the physical item with the official record.

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