Grading and Card Conditions

What is the condition of the cards?

We use the following grades (and abbreviations) to describe the condition of a card:

• Near Mint (NM)
• Excellent (EX)
• Good (GD)
• Light Played (LP)
• Played (PL)
• Poor (PO)

You will find the condition in the title of the product. It will look like this:

• Channel - Alpha - EX

You will find any important additional information either in the title and/or in the description of the item. For example, whether a card has been signed by the artist, if it has a crease or if any other adjustments have been made.

Card Gradings

Near Mint (NM)

A card in Near Mint condition looks as if it has never been played without outer sleeves. Tiny blemishes are allowed, such as a few small white spots at the corners caused by cutting during production or minor scratches which do not remove any color from the card. When viewed in daylight, the card looks clean.

USA: In the USA the designation Near Mint (NM) is also used.

Excellent (EX)

Excellent cards usually have some white spots on the edges and corners. They might have been handled without sleeves from time to time. There may also be a few scratches on the surface. However, these should not be directly noticeable under normal light conditions.

USA: There is an important distinction to the grading system used in the US. European graded Excellent cards are typically rated Lightly Played (LP) or Slightly Played (SP) in the US. However, European graded Light Played cards are graded (Heavy Played) in America, which often leads to confusion. If in doubt, please send us a message.

Good (GD)

A card in Good condition looks as if it has been played without outer sleeves for a longer period of time, for example at a tournament. Cards that we grade as Good regularly show clear signs of wear in many areas of the card. Therefore, white areas on corners and edges may be pronounced.

In many cases, the surface of the card has a few scratches and can also be slightly dirty. Nevertheless, these may only be normal signs of use.

USA: In the USA, the term Moderately Played (MP) or Light Played (LP) is frequently used.

Light Played (LP)

A Magic card in Light Played condition looks as if it has been played without outer sleeves for a long period of time. Possible whitenings at the edges and borders can be severe and found throughout the card.

USA: In the USA, the term Moderately Played (MP) or Good (GD) is often used.

Played (PL)

A card that has been worn through normal use. Examples include heavy surface scratches or damage to the surface that is described as “snow-covered”. It is important that it is without doubt tournament legal when played with sleeves. Black painted edges or similar are a no-go.

USA: In the USA, the term Very Played (VP) or Heavily Played (HP) is frequently used.

Poor

Anything rated worse than Played is Poor. These cards frequently have damage caused by something other than “normal” playing with them.

Examples are: Bent cards, blackened edges (“ink” or “inked”), water damage, cracks and the like.

USA: In the USA, Poor (PO) or Damaged (DMG) is also frequently used.

Additions & Special Notes on Card Condition

We distinguish between artistic modifications, alterations, physical damage, and production issues.

Artistic Modifications (Signed & Altered)

• Signed: Without further specification, this means the card has been signed by the original artist.
• Signed by [Name]: The card bears the signature of a notable personality (e.g., game designers like Richard Garfield or pro players).
• Altered / Sketched: The original artwork has been modified, extended, or enhanced with a small drawing (sketch) by an artist (not necessarily the original artist). This often makes the card unique.

Alterations (Ink)

• Inked: The card has been modified with ink (usually a black marker), often to cover up edge wear. In the collector’s market, this is considered a significant reduction in value.

• Ink Dot: A minimal ink alteration affecting only a very small, localized area.

Physical Damage

• Water Damage: Moisture damage. The card may show warping or surface distortion and no longer lies flat.

• Binder Ding: An indentation caused by the rings of a binder.

• Pressure Mark: General pressure marks or indentations on the surface. The card is usually still flat but shows imperfections under angled light.

• Bent: A continuous bend or curve. The card is structurally compromised and does not lie flat.

• Crease: A sharp fold in the card stock, often caused by improper shuffling (e.g., riffle shuffle). A crease is typically visible on both front and back.

Production Issues & Editions

• Ink Error: A factory printing error (e.g., ink blotches). Typically does not negatively affect grading.

• Roller Lines: Horizontal or vertical lines caused by the printing press rollers. Considered a manufacturing artifact.

• Artist Proof: A rare version of a card with a blank (white) back. These are produced in limited quantities and distributed directly by the original artist, making them highly sought after by collectors.