Grading Scale
EGS Grading uses our Trademarked Zone Grading process. With Zone GradingTM we feel that this is the most logical and consistent way to break down the grading process so that it is simple for everyone to understand. Not just simple for the graders, but for the collectors and fans as well. Anyone can slap a number on anything and call it “graded”. But where is the proof in the pudding?
We feel that putting a grade on something without giving a clear explanation or reason as to why a card is graded a certain way is frankly a bit lazy. Even with AI capabilities, and giving generic point values to certain areas of a card like “surface” or “corners” is too wide a spectrum open to human complacency, not to mention nearly impossible to prove to the average fan or collector – Surface can mean anything and be anywhere on the “surface”. We feel that if you can see the flaw, why not point it out to the best of your ability. This is exactly why we came up with the Zone GradingTM process. In our years of collecting, we have noticed just little too much inconsistency. Not to say grading is easy or that other companies don’t do a great job, because they can and they do. However, we feel that our Zone GradingTM system is just a better way to do it.
Like most grading companies we use a 1 – 10 grading scale, with descending increments of 1/2 point (for example 10, 9.5, 9, 8.5, and so on).
We do deduct flaws in as little as .25 point for very small flaws, however, we will always grade up to the nearest .50 point should a graded value score with a .25 or a .75 remainder.
We feel that putting a grade on something without giving a clear explanation or reason as to why a card is graded a certain way is frankly a bit lazy. Even with AI capabilities, and giving generic point values to certain areas of a card like “surface” or “corners” is too wide a spectrum open to human complacency, not to mention nearly impossible to prove to the average fan or collector – Surface can mean anything and be anywhere on the “surface”. We feel that if you can see the flaw, why not point it out to the best of your ability. This is exactly why we came up with the Zone GradingTM process. In our years of collecting, we have noticed just little too much inconsistency. Not to say grading is easy or that other companies don’t do a great job, because they can and they do. However, we feel that our Zone GradingTM system is just a better way to do it.
Like most grading companies we use a 1 – 10 grading scale, with descending increments of 1/2 point (for example 10, 9.5, 9, 8.5, and so on).
We do deduct flaws in as little as .25 point for very small flaws, however, we will always grade up to the nearest .50 point should a graded value score with a .25 or a .75 remainder.
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GEM MT 10
As close to perfect card as they come. No flaws were detected during the Zone Grading process. Great surface free of dings and scratched, dimples, print lines, or foil lines not intended by the MFG. Great corners and centering. |
MINT (MT) 9 - 9.5
Very minor flaws detected during the Zone Grading process. A 1 point total deduction in the identified zone(s) - This can be 1 single noticeable flaw with the rest of the card being in great shape, or up to 4 very small .25 point deductions only seen though magnification or computer image scan. |
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NEAR MINT (NM) 8 - 8.5
Small flaw(s) detected during the Zone Grading process. A 2 point total deduction in the identified zone(s) - This can be 1 single noticeable flaw like a small ding, dent, or tiny crease with the rest of the card being in great shape, or multiple very small .25 point-1pt deductions seen though magnification or computer image scan. |
Gold Standard (GS) 7 - 7.5
Small flaw(s) detected during the Zone Grading process. A 3 point total deduction in the identified zone(s) - This can be 1 medium single noticeable flaw like a ding, dent, or crease with the rest of the card being in great shape, or multiple very small .25 point-2pt deductions seen though magnification or computer image scan. |
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Silver Standard (SS) 6 - 6.5
Medium flaw(s) that are larger than the head of a pin that you can see with the naked eye detected during the Zone Grading process. A 4 point total deduction in the identified zone(s) - This can be 1 medium single noticeable flaw like a medium ding, dent, or crease with the rest of the card being in great shape, or several .25 point-3pt deductions seen though magnification or computer image scan. |
Bronze Standard (BS) 5 - 5.5
Medium-Large flaw(s) that are larger than the head of a pin that you can see with the naked eye detected during the Zone Grading process. A 5 point total deduction in the identified zone(s) - This is generally going to be flaws that are very noticeable to the naked eye. With a card like this, there will definitely be multiple zones listed as problematic. |
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Copper Standard (CS) 4 - 4.5
The last of the meatal/Gem grades. A card like this will generally have Large flaw(s) that you can see with the naked eye detected during the Zone Grading process. A 6 point total deduction in the identified zone(s) - With a card like this, there will definitely be multiple zones listed as problematic. |
Fair Condition 3 - 3.5
A card like this will generally have a wide range of flaws and or damage across multiple zones that you can clearly see with the naked eye during the Zone Grading process. A 7 point total deduction in the identified zone(s) |
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Poor 2 - 2.5
A card like this will generally have a wide range of flaws and or damage across multiple zones that you can clearly see with the naked eye during the Zone Grading process including discoloration and/or residue. A 8 point total deduction in the identified zone(s) |
Very Poor 1 - 1.5
A card like this will generally have a wide range of flaws and or damage across multiple zones that you can clearly see with the naked eye during the Zone Grading process, including but not limited to discoloration, residue, large creases, dents, etc. A 9+ point total deduction in the identified zone(s). Note : We will not give any grade lower than 1 even if it goes beyond the point scale. |
Detailed Key for Label Comprehension
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AE = All Edges
AEF = All Edges Front AEB = All Edges Back E1 = Edge 1 E2 = Edge 2 PL = Print Line SF = Surface Foil FB = Front & back |
Z1 = Zone 1
Z2 = Zone 2 Z3 = Zone 3 Z4 = Zone 4 Z5 = Zone 5 Z6 = Zone 6 E = Error HP = Holo Pinch |
Z7 = Zone 7
Z8 = Zone 8 Z9 = Zone 9 Z10 = Zone 10 Z11 = Zone 11 Z12 = Zone 12 MD = Moisture Damage AZ = All Zones |
Z13 = Zone 13
Z4 = Zone 14 Z15 = Zone 15 Z16 = Zone 16 Z17 = Zone 17 Z18 = Zone 18 SAZF = Surface All Zones Front |
TE = Top Edge
TEF = Top Edge Front BEF = Bottom Edge Front TEB = Top Edge Back BEB = Bottom Edge Back FL = Foil Line SAZB = Surface All Zones Back |
PE = Print Error (This is an error in the print of the card such as an ink spot or discoloration direct from the manufacture,
not caused by any other means) Print errors like these will not necessarily count as a deduction, as long as the integrity of the card remains in tact.
not caused by any other means) Print errors like these will not necessarily count as a deduction, as long as the integrity of the card remains in tact.
S=Surface | SAZF= Surface All Zones Front | SAZB=Surface All Zones Back
(Usually pertaining to high end refractor or foil cards)
If there are many surface issues on the card it's self, or in between card layers seen though magnification, and the overall appeal of the card is in
great physical and visual shape. A maximum value of 1pt will be deducted for these flaws. A card can receive this tag if more than
half the zones on any single side have these types of surface flaws.
AZF= All Zones Front | AZB=All Zones Back
These tags can be any damage coving more than half the zones on the flawed/damaged card. These tags are for more than just surface flaws.
Deductions for these tags are generally going to result in multiple point deductions based on flaws but can be corners, edges, surface, etc.
FS = Foreign Substance
This means a foreign substance was seen on the card, and will usually result in a larger point deduction.
(Usually pertaining to high end refractor or foil cards)
If there are many surface issues on the card it's self, or in between card layers seen though magnification, and the overall appeal of the card is in
great physical and visual shape. A maximum value of 1pt will be deducted for these flaws. A card can receive this tag if more than
half the zones on any single side have these types of surface flaws.
AZF= All Zones Front | AZB=All Zones Back
These tags can be any damage coving more than half the zones on the flawed/damaged card. These tags are for more than just surface flaws.
Deductions for these tags are generally going to result in multiple point deductions based on flaws but can be corners, edges, surface, etc.
FS = Foreign Substance
This means a foreign substance was seen on the card, and will usually result in a larger point deduction.