Pokémon card condition explained: Mint to Damaged
Collectors describe a card's condition so everyone knows what to expect in a trade.
| Condition | What it looks like |
|---|---|
| Mint / Near Mint | Looks fresh from the pack — sharp corners, clean edges, no scratches. |
| Lightly Played | Small edge wear or a light scratch. |
| Moderately Played | Clear wear, scuffing or a small crease. |
| Heavily Played / Damaged | Big creases, bends, tears, water or ink damage. |
What to check
- Centring — are the borders even on both sides?
- Corners — sharp or rounded and white?
- Edges — any white chipping on the back?
- Surface — scratches or print lines on the holo.
What is grading?
Grading companies inspect a card, give it a score (usually out of 10) and seal it in a hard case. It's optional — plenty of collectors never grade a card.
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