Below is a guide to the grades given by MNT Grading. Please note that this is a reference only; MNT takes many aspects into consideration when grading cards.

MNT strives to ensure that the most accurate grades are given to each individual card; making sure to uphold our honesty, integrity and consistency at all times.

Flawless 10

A ‘Flawless 10’ card is considered to be perfect in all categories of grading (Centering, Surface, Corners, Edges and Inner Window [if applicable]).

Pristine 10
A ‘Pristine 10’ card has an overall grade of 10 after all categories (Centering, Surface, Corners, Edges and Inner Window [if applicable]) have been calculated into the MNT Grading Inc. algorithm.

Gem MNT 9.5
A ‘Gem Mint 9.5’ is a card in exquisite condition only showing the slightest imperfections (E.g. centering is 55/45)

MNT 9
A ‘Mint 9’ is a card in superior condition only showing some slight imperfections (E.g. centering is 60/40 or very slight white edging)

Near MNT-MNT+ 8.5
A ‘Near Mint-Mint+ 8.5’ is a card in exceptional condition only showing some minor imperfections (E.g. centering is 65/35 or some white edging)

Near MNT-MNT 8
A ‘Near Mint 8’ is a card in exceptional condition only showing some minor imperfections (E.g. centering is slightly above 65/35 or some white edging)

Near MNT+ 7.5
A ‘Near Mint+ 7.5’ is a card in premium condition only showing minor imperfections (E.g. some white edges or a soft/round corner)

Near MNT 7
A ‘Near Mint 7’ is a card in premium condition only showing minor imperfections (E.g. light scratching, soft/round corner or white edging)

Excellent MNT+ 6.5
An ‘Excellent Mint+ 6.5’ is a card in excellent condition showing several minor imperfections (E.g. several soft/rounded corners or light scratches)

Excellent MNT 6
An ‘Excellent Mint 6’ is a card in excellent condition showing several minor imperfections (E.g. centering is slightly above 75/25 or several white edges)

Excellent+ 5.5
An ‘Excellent+ 5.5’ is a card in excellent condition showing some light imperfections (E.g. several light scratches or some minor chipping on edges)

Excellent 5
An ‘Excellent 5’ is a card in excellent condition showing some light imperfections (E.g. some minor chipping on edges or slight printing defects)

Very Good – Excellent+ 4.5
A ‘Very Good – Excellent+ 4.5’ is a card in great condition showing several imperfections (E.g. centering is slightly below 85/15 or slight printing defects)

Very Good – Excellent 4
A ‘Very Good – Excellent 4’ is a card in great condition showing several imperfections (E.g. very light crease or several scratches)

Very Good+ 3.5
A ‘Very Good + 3.5’ is a card in good condition showing several imperfections (E.g. printing defects or majority of soft/round corners)

Very Good 3
A ‘Very Good 3’ is a card in good condition showing an obvious imperfection (E.g. very light crease or centering slightly above 90/10)

Good+ 2.5
A ‘Good+ 2.5’ is a card in good condition showing several obvious imperfections (E.g. creasing of the card or noticeable scratches)

Good 2
A ‘Good 2’ is a card in good condition showing a major imperfection (E.g. creasing of the card or bends in the corners)

Fair 1.5
A ‘Fair 1.5’ is a card in fair condition showing several major imperfections (E.g. bent corners or major creases)

Poor 1
A ‘Poor 1’ is a card in poor condition having major flaws (E.g. card is torn or a crease running along the whole card from side to side)

Cards with the following issues will be marked in the title or in the autograph area:

Out of Focus – Any card that is out of focus or blurry will be marked as such in the title of the label, the card will still be graded on our standards for all applicable sub-categories

Writing/Markings – Any card with writing or marks (from pen, markers, pencils, etc.) not pertaining to the original printing of the card will be marked as such in the title of the label, the card will still be graded on our standards for all applicable sub-categories

Faded Surface – Any card that is deemed to have a faded surface will be marked as such on the front of the label with the abbreviation FS

Damaged – Any card that is deemed to be damaged below our grading standards will be marked as such on the front of the label with the abbreviation DMG

Faded Auto – Any card with an auto that is deemed too faded to grade will be marked as such in the autograph area on the back of the label with the abbreviation FA

Altered – Any card(s) where the grader determines that there are signs it being altered and can include, but not limited to tampering, trimming, counterfeiting, reprinting or altering. The card(s) will be returned without slabbing and placed in a semi rigid marked with the abbreviation A on a RAW Grade sticker.

In Person Autograph – Any cards with signatures not from a card company (i.e. Upper Deck, Topps, Panini, etc.) will be marked on the front of the label with the abbreviation IPA; this marking doesn’t mean we are authenticating the autograph either