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
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- 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
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- 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.