Condition Guide

We believe card quality is exceptionally important when it comes to magic cards. Because of this we aim for all our cards to arrive with you in NM condition. If we do not have a NM copy of the card you are looking for in stock and we are not able to source one, we will contact you before dispatching your order. If we can source a card rated as Excellent, we will provide you the option and adjust the price based on the market value for the card in question.

To be clear on how we grade cards we have provided some information below. We mirror the grading system as laid out by Card Market (MKM), and use Mint, Near Mint, Excellent, Good, Light Played, Played, and Poor.

Mint (M)

A mint card is in perfect condition, no excuses. This means, that the front is in perfect condition, there are no scratches on the surface, and the surface is perfectly clean. For the back it means, that the card is indistinguishable from cards of a newly opened booster. If a card has a signature or a Grand Prix stamp it can never be graded Mint, even if the card stock is otherwise in Mint condition.

In most cases it does not make sense to grade a card as Mint. For in print cards the value of a Mint card is just about the same as that of a Near Mint card, but the grading standards are way higher. On the other hand, old cards (1993-94) may command a high premium if they are in actual Mint condition. Thus 'Mint' is mainly a grading for cards where there is a high collectors' interest. For cards that are sold mostly for playing purpose a Near Mint grading will usually do.

Near Mint (NM)

A Near Mint card looks like it has never been played without sleeves. Small allowances can be made, but the card generally shows no wear.

The border of NM card can have small white spots, but they must be very few and very small. When the card is inspected under bright daylight, the surface must generally appear clean. It can have a few minor spots, but scratches can never be allowed for NM cards.

Generally, a Near Mint card is in a condition that would make it considered unmarked if played in an unsleeved deck.

Excellent (EX)

An Excellent card look like it was used for a few games without sleeves. For Excellent cards it is almost always clearly visible upon first inspection that the card is not in perfect condition. However, although the damage is clearly visible it is only of minor severity.

Excellent cards usually have a couple of white spots at the corners or around the border. The surface may have minor scratches, that are visible upon closer inspection. However, the card cannot be graded Excellent if the creases are so deep that they are visible upon first sight.

An Excellent card is usually in a condition where it is not quite clear if the card would be considered marked or unmarked if it would be played in a tournament without sleeves.

Good (GD)

A Good card looks like it might have been used for a long tournament without sleeves.

Cards in Good condition usually show strong wear all around the card. The edges and corners have many white spots, the surface usually has scratches and the card usually has accumulated some dirt on its surface. However, the card still only has damage that stems from regular play. The card has no water damage or bends whatsoever.

A Good card (and all cards in worse condition) are clearly in a condition that would make them ineligible for play without sleeves as they would be considered marked.

Light Played (LP)

A Light Played card looks as if it has been used without sleeves for an extended period.

A Light Played card is clearly legal for play in a sleeved deck. It has also not been tampered with (inked border, random scribblings on the card etc.). If both criteria apply the card may look very bad, but it can be graded Light Played.

Played (PL)

A Played card looks as bad as you can get a card through regular use without sleeves.

A Played card looks extremely bad, and it is doubtful if the card is tournament legal even in a sleeved deck. However, the card has not been tampered with otherwise (inked border, random scribblings on the card etc.).

Poor (P)

A Poor card has damage that cannot normally have stemmed from regular use of the card.

A card in Poor condition has extreme creases, rips, stains and is generally in horrible shape. The only guarantee is that you can still tell what it is.