BGS Sports Card Grading Scale

Pristine 10

No virtual perfection. Absolute perfection.

Centering: 50/50  on the front and 60/40 percent or better on the back.

Corners: Perfect at first look and Mint under magnification.

Edges: Perfect at first look and nearly free of flaws under magnification.

Surface: No printing imperfections or spots. Flawless coloration. High gloss perfection. No scratches or print lines. Focus is  impeccable.

Gem Mint 9.5

Near perfection.

Centering: Centering within: 50/50 -50/45  on the front and 60/40 percent or better on the back.

Corners: Mint at first look but slight imperfections under magnification.

Edges: Virtually perfect at first look and mostly free of flaws under magnification.

Surface: A few minor print spots only detectable under magnification. Color is rich and deep. High focus. High gloss perfection. No scratches or print lines.

Mint 9

Centering: 50/45 on the front and 70/30 percent or better on the back.

Corners: Mint at close inspection but slight imperfections under magnification.

Edges: Virtually perfect at close inspection and mostly free of flaws under magnification. But minor specks of chipping on the borders is allowed.

Surface: A few minor print spots only detectable under magnification or one minor noticeable spot. Minor focus issues or coloration imperfections. Gloss is mostly intact; however, with only one or two tiny scratches barely noticeable at close inspection. One faint and barely noticeable print line is allowed.

Near Mint/Mint 8

Centering: 60/40 on the front and 80/20 percent or better on the back.

Corners: Sharp at close inspection but slight imperfections under magnification.

Edges: Borders are relatively smooth. Specks of chipping visible upon close inspection.

Surface: A few minor print spots noticeable under close inspection. Minor focus issues or coloration imperfections. Gloss is mostly intact; however, it has one or two tiny scratches barely noticeable at close inspection. One faint and barely noticeable print line is allowed.

Near Mint 7

Centering: 65/35 on the front and 90/10 percent or better on the back. Slight diamond cutting allowed.

Corners: Minor wear on 2 -3 corners allowed.

Edges: Slightly rough, minor chipping or notching allowed. Very minor border discoloration.

Surface: A few noticeable but minor print spots. Minor focus issues or coloration imperfections. Gloss is mostly intact – with one or two tiny scratches noticeable at close inspection. A few print lines allowed. Very minor wax stain on back.

Excellent Mint 6

Centering: 70/30 on the front and 95/5 percent or better on the back. Slight diamond cutting allowed.

Corners: Corners appear fuzzy but have no dings or fraying.

Edges: Moderately rough and chipped. Minor notching allowed. With minor border discoloration.

Surface: A few noticeable but minor print spots. Minor focus issues or coloration imperfections. Gloss is mostly intact – with a few tiny scratches but no scuffing. A few noticeable print lines allowed. Minor wax stain or subtle ink marks on back.

Excellent 5

Centering: 75/25 on the front and 95/5 percent or better on the back. Slight diamond cutting allowed.

Corners: All four corners are fuzzy. Slight notching or minor dings allowed.

Edges: Noticeably rough but no layering. Minor notching and chipping allowed. With minor border discoloration.

Surface: A few noticeable print spots. Minor focus issues or coloration imperfections. Some gloss loss – with a few tiny scratches but no scuffing. A few noticeable print lines allowed. Minor wax stain or very light ink marks on back.

Very Good/Excellent 4

Centering: 80/20 on the front and 100/0 percent or better on the back. Moderate diamond cutting allowed.

Corners: Slight notching or minor dings allowed.

Edges: Moderate border discoloration. Chipping, notching, and/or layering.

Surface: Heavy print spots.  In spite of a few tiny scratches and minor scuffing or tear of surface paper, has most gloss loss. Light ink and tape marks. But only has moderate color or focus loss.

Very Good 3

Centering: 85/15 on the front and 100/0 percent or better on the back. Moderate diamond cutting allowed.

Corners: Slight rounding or noticeable notches/layering.

Edges: Noticeable border discoloration. Heavy chipping, notching, and/or layering.

Surface: Heavy print spots. Noticeable focus issues or coloration imperfections. Light gloss left – with a few tiny scratches and minor scuffing or tear of surface paper. Light ink and tape marks. But only very minor creases.

Good 2

Centering: 90/10 on the front and 100/0 percent or better on the back. Noticeable diamond cutting allowed.

Corners: Rounding is noticeable or heavy notches and moderate layering.

Edges: Severe chipping, notching, and/or layering. Noticeable border discoloration.

Surface: Heavy print spots and wax stains. Noticeable scuffing or tear. Easily identifiable creases, focus, and color imperfections.

Poor 1

Centering: 100/0 percent or better on the front and back. Heavy diamond cutting allowed.

Corners: Heavily rounded, notched, or layered.

Edges: Severe chipping, notching, and/or layering. Heavy border discoloration.

Surface: Severe print spots and stains. Also has heavy creasing and scuffing or a severe tear. No gloss left.

10

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