by Non-Sport Update magazine

Often, you'll hear cards described as fair, good, or excellent. You may love all of your cards and think they are all excellent but these terms actually refer to a grading system common to card collectors. Listed below is an explanation of these terms.

Mint:
A perfect card having four sharp corners and the borders are equal. Sharp focus of picture and original gloss. A card with creases cannot be considered mint. Age does not change condition.

Excellent:
One or two corners may show slight wear and card may be a little less shiny. Focus is sharp, borders are equal and there are no creases.

Very Good:
Corners are somewhat rounded and card shows wear. Focus may or may not be sharp, borders may or may not be equal and there may be a minor crease.

Good:
Corners are rounded and card shows wear. There may be several creases.

Fair:
Corners are rounded and card shows wear. The card may be very off-center and the card is dull. There may be several to many creases.

Poor:
Corners are rounded and card is worn. There are many creases or missing pieces and card is dull. This is not a collectible card.

History of Non-Sport Cards
Where to Start
What to Collect
What Makes Some Things More Valuable Then Others
Card Terminology
Defining the Condition of Your Cards
What to expect at the Philly Non-Sports Card Show

Back to main Basics page

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