Grade TCG Card

Grade card per PSA/BGS/CGC. Observation-first (from meditate) → no grade anchoring.

Use When

• Pre-submission evaluation
• Pre-screen collection → high-grade candidates
• Settle buyer/seller disputes
• Learn consistent grading
• Estimate grade-value spread

In

• Required: card ID (set, #, name, variant)
• Required: images or physical desc (front + back)
• Required: standard (PSA 1-10, BGS 1-10 w/ subgrades, CGC 1-10)
• Optional: known market value at grades
• Optional: game (Pokemon, MTG, FaB, Kayou)

Do

Step 1: Clear bias → observe w/o prejudgment

From meditate Step 2-3: observe w/o anchor to expected grade/value.

1. Set aside market value
2. DO NOT look up sales/population reports pre-grade
3. Known valuable → explicit: "Worth $X PSA 10. Set aside."
4. Examine as physical object
5. Gut impression noted but NOT anchored
6. Premature grade thoughts → "anchoring" → return to observation

→ Neutral start. Grade anchoring = #1 source of inconsistency.

If err: bias sticky (high-value wants 10) → write bias explicit. Externalize → reduce influence. Proceed only as physical object.

Step 2: Centering

1. Measure border all 4 sides front:
   • L vs R (horizontal)
   • T vs B (vertical)
   • Ratio: 55/45 L-R, 60/40 T-B
2. Repeat back
3. Apply thresholds:

PSA Centering Thresholds:
+-------+-------------------+-------------------+
| Grade | Front (max)       | Back (max)        |
+-------+-------------------+-------------------+
| 10    | 55/45 or better   | 75/25 or better   |
| 9     | 60/40 or better   | 90/10 or better   |
| 8     | 65/35 or better   | 90/10 or better   |
| 7     | 70/30 or better   | 90/10 or better   |
+-------+-------------------+-------------------+

BGS Centering Subgrade:
+------+-------------------+-------------------+
| Sub  | Front (max)       | Back (max)        |
+------+-------------------+-------------------+
| 10   | 50/50 perfect     | 50/50 perfect     |
| 9.5  | 55/45 or better   | 60/40 or better   |
| 9    | 60/40 or better   | 65/35 or better   |
| 8.5  | 65/35 or better   | 70/30 or better   |
+------+-------------------+-------------------+

4. Record ratio per axis + subgrade.

→ Numeric ratios both faces + grade/subgrade. Most objective measurement.

If err: borders too narrow (full-art, borderless) → "centering N/A — borderless", skip Step 3. Services differ for borderless.

Step 3: Surface

1. Front under good light:
   • Print defects: ink spots, missing ink, print lines, color inconsistency
   • Scratches: direct + angled light
   • Whitening: haze/clouding
   • Indentations: raking light
   • Stain/discoloration: yellowing, water marks, chemical
2. Back same criteria
3. Factory vs handling:
   • Factory: print lines, miscut, crimping → may be less penalized
   • Handling: scratches, dents, stains → always penalized
4. Rate:
   • Pristine (10): flawless under mag
   • Near-pristine (9-9.5): minor only under mag
   • Excellent (8-8.5): minor naked eye
   • Good (6-7): moderate, multiple
   • Fair+ (1-5): significant

→ Defect inventory located + described + severity. Factory vs handling distinguished.

If err: low-res images → provide range not point grade. Recommend physical.

Step 4: Edge + corner

1. 4 edges:
   • Whitening: spots/lines along colored (most common)
   • Chipping: edge layer missing
   • Roughness: uneven / micro-tears
   • Foil separation: holofoil delamination
2. 4 corners:
   • Sharpness: tip crisp
   • Rounding: worn curve (slight/moderate/heavy)
   • Splitting: layer separation (dings)
   • Bending: turned/creased
3. Rate same scale
4. Note worst edge/corner

→ Per-edge + per-corner. Worst limits overall grade.

If err: in sleeve/toploader obscures → note which areas not fully assessed.

Step 5: Final grade

1. PSA (1-10):
   • Weakest sub limits final
   • Perfect surface + 65/35 centering → cap PSA 8
   • "Lowest limits" + adjust up if exceptional
2. BGS (4 subgrades → overall):
   • Centering, Edges, Corners, Surface each 1-10 in 0.5
   • Overall = weighted avg, lowest subgrade limits
   • BGS 10 Pristine → all 4 = 10
   • BGS 9.5 Gem Mint → avg 9.5+ no sub <9
3. CGC (similar to PSA w/ subgrades on label):
   • Centering, Surface, Edges, Corners
   • Overall = proprietary weighting
4. Confidence:
   • "PSA 8 (confident)" — clear, unlikely higher/lower
   • "PSA 8-9 (borderline)" — either way
   • "PSA 7-8 (uncertain)" — limited data

→ Final grade + confidence. BGS all 4 reported. Evidence from Steps 2-4.

If err: inconclusive (scratch vs dirt) → range + recommend pro grading. Never confident w/ insufficient data.

Check

• Bias check pre-grading (no anchoring)
• Centering both faces w/ ratios
• Surface examined (scratches, print, stain, indent)
• All 4 edges + corners individually
• Factory vs handling distinguished
• Grade evidence-backed from each sub
• Confidence stated
• Standard applied correctly

Traps

• Grade anchoring: value knowledge → bias toward hoped-for grade. Physical first.
• Ignore back: back surface + centering count. Many over-focus front.
• Factory vs handling confusion: both affect grade differently.
• Holofoil over-grade: hides scratches until angled. Multiple light angles.
• Centering illusion: art placement can mislead. Measure borders not art.

→

• build-tcg-deck — condition affects tournament legality
• manage-tcg-collection — grade-based valuation
• meditate — source of observation-without-prejudgment