10

PRISTINE

Pristine refers to a state of exceptional production quality.

A Pristine card is free of the slightest trace of manipulation and has no production defects observable to the naked eye. It can be considered as a virtually perfect card.

This grade is only awarded to cards that have received all four sub-grades 10.

Visual appeal : Splendid

10

GEM MINT

The Gem Mint designates a state corresponding to a very good production quality*.

The following minor imperfections are tolerated, as long as they do not affect the visual appeal of the card:

  • a discreet print line
  • a discreet inking defect such as air bubbles, adot, a discreet squib
  • a discreet cutting point in a corner
  • a discreet silvering

Visual appeal : Remarkable

*This quality is systematically assessed in part against the recognised production standards for the card in question.

9.5

MINT

Mint refers to a state of good production quality.

Multiple and slight imperfections of origin are tolerated, such as

  • some slight print lines / foil cut lines / factory scratches
  • rare and small inking defects such as small printing spots, smudges
  • slight interruptions in the brightness of the holographic texture
  • slight irregularities in the surface of the board
  • a slight inking defect (fine ink smudge/dry error)
  • noticeable but not extensive cutting defects
  • moderatesilvering
  • a slight shift in registration resulting in imperfect sharpness

Visual appeal: Very pleasing

9

NM/MT

Near Mint/Mint refers to a state of average to poor production quality or to a state of conservation with discrete traces of wear that only slightly affect the original visual appeal as a whole.

It can be characterised by :

  • a multitude of transverse print lines, factory scratches
  • a noticeable lack of inking
  • relatively pronounced and extensive cutting defects
  • a pronounced and extensive silvering

——————————————————-

  • rare and discreet micro-scratches from handling or traces of rubbing (especially on the back)
  • rare and minimal white spots of wear on the back on the corners or edges

Visual appeal : Pleasing

8

NEAR MINT

Near Mint refers to a state of poor production quality or a state of preservation with slight traces of wear that only modestly affect the original visual appeal as a whole.

It can be characterised by :

  • very numerous, transverse and marked print lines or factory scratches
  • a pronounced inking defect on the edge of the Misprint
  • very pronounced and extensive cutting defects
  • a very pronounced and extensive silvering

——————————————————-

  • slight micro-scratches from handling or rubbing on the back and front
  • several slightly noticeable white spots of wear on the reverse surface
  • a discrete production wrinkle (spider wrinkle: wrinkle visible on one side only)
  • a shallow and discreet indentation on the reverse side
  • incipient but slight traces of fraying (discolouration) on the corners and edges on the reverse.

Visual appeal: Very satisfactory

7

EXCELLENT

This grade designates a condition corresponding to a deplorable production quality or a state of conservation showing multiple signs of light wear, some of which clearly impact the visual appeal on the front.

It can be characterised by :

  • multiple scratches covering the reverse side and part of the front side
  • multiple marks of rubbing distinguishable on the back as well as the front
  • multiple, fairly noticeable white spots of wear on the reverse surface
  • discrete discolouration of some areas of the card
  • a superficial and discreet indentation on the front
  • a small and discreet surface wrinkle (from handling)
  • slight fraying of the corners and edges in several areas on the reverse side.

Visual appeal: Satisfactory

6

VERY GOOD

This grade indicates a state of conservation with many signs of moderate wear on both the reverse and the front.

It can be characterised by :

  • numerous scratches and rubbing marks on the back and front
  • numerous white spots of wear, some of which are quite pronounced on the surface on the reverse side
  • moderate discolouration of the surface (e.g. an obvious and extensive sun fade)
  • rare minor surface deposits embedded on the reverse side
  • a noticeable and deep sinkhole of moderate size
  • several small and discrete surface wrinkles
  • pronounced fraying of corners and edges on some areas of the reverse side.

5

GOOD

This grade indicates a state of conservation with many signs of wear on both the reverse and the front.

It can be characterised by :

  • numerous scratches on the back and front, some of them quite deep
  • a noticeable discoloration of the surface
  • a multitude of minor deposits encrusted especially on the reverse side
  • several notable and deep indentations of moderate size, especially on the reverse side
  • a moderate-sized wrinkle or a superficial and discrete fold
  • une ride de taille modérée ou une pliure superficielle et discrète

4

AVERAGE

This grade indicates a state of conservation with many signs of wear, some of which are particularly pronounced.

It can be characterised by :

  • very pronounced scratches covering almost the entire surface on both sides
  • superficial scratches
  • a pronounced discolouration of the surface (e.g. a complete and extensive sun fade)
  • a multitude of minor deposits embedded on the reverse side and as on the front side
  • numerous dents, some of which are quite marked on the front
  • a few noticeable wrinkles, especially on the back, or several superficial and discreet folds
  • severe fraying of the majority of the corners and edges which are beginning to crumble noticeably

3

FAIR

This grade indicates a state of conservation with many signs of wear, some of which are of major importance.

It is characterised by :

  • deep scratches
  • a very pronounced discoloration of the surface
  • numerous deposits of moderate size, particularly on the reverse side
  • a multitude of very pronounced indentations and wrinkles on the back and front
  • a fairly deep and noticeable intermediate-sized fold
  • a very pronounced and extensive fraying of the corners and edges, which have a relatively rounded and pudgy appearance over a localised area.

2

POOR

This grade indicates a state of conservation with very advanced signs of wear that could profoundly affect the integrity of the map.

It can be characterised by :

  • significant surface detachments
  • a very tarnished and discoloured surface
  • numerous moderate-sized deposits that have permeated both the reverse and the front
  • several fairly deep and notable intermediate-sized folds
  • strongly marked and extensive fraying of the corners and edges, which have a particularly rounded and pudgy or even noticeably disintegrated appearance
  • the pronounced bark of a corner.

1

VERY POOR

This grade indicates a state of conservation with extreme signs of wear that could seriously compromise the integrity of the card.

It can be characterised by :

  • pronounced and extensive surface detachments
  • an extremely tarnished and discoloured surface
  • a stain that has deeply and extensively permeated most of the map
  • a deep, transverse fold
  • extreme and extensive fraying of the corners and edges, with a severely rounded, pudgy or even severely disintegrated appearance
  • the pronounced debarking of several corners.

A

AUTHENTIC

A card which, depending on the minimum grade chosen, has not been given a grade but has received a grade attesting to its authenticity.

SG

SIGNED

A card with the signature of its illustrator. Depending on the proof of authenticity provided at the time of the order, the following additional mentions may be attributed: Verified Signature, Unverified Signature or Altered Signature.

MK

MARKED

A card with an ink deposit (especially tone-on-tone) or with a signature recognised as not authentic..

SQ

SQUARE CUT

A card that has partially or completely missed the corner rounding step performed by the cutting press.

OC

OFF-CENTERED

A card whose printing plate has suffered a major misalignment during cutting and whose centering ratio, calculated from the width of its edges, is worse 70/30 or worse.

MC

MISCUT

A card where the printing plate has been extremely misaligned during the cutting process, resulting in a portion of the card disappearing on both the front and the back and possibly revealing a piece of another card. Also a card with an abnormal cut-out shape (e.g. Twisted Miscut).

MA

MISALIGNED

A card whose sheet was misaligned during printing on one of its sides producing a major registration error between its front and back.

UD

UPSIDE DOWN

A card with the front side printed in the opposite direction to the back side (printed first), sometimes mistakenly called “Inverted Back“.

MP

MISPRINT

A card with a major printing anomaly, often related to inking, foiling, hot stamping or the correct alignment of its various layers.

CP

CRIMPED

A card that, due to misalignment during the packaging process, has an indented pattern on its surface left by the heat press stamps sealing the boosters.

ST

STAINED

A card whose cardboard has been altered by adhesive before printing, soiled afterwards by any substance during production (e.g. spillage of varnish) or by a substance linked to its packaging (e.g. “glue stain” on Shadowless theme decks).

FO

FOLDED OVER

A card on which a piece of the sheet at the edge of the area to be printed has been folded.

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