Every card submitted to AGA is evaluated against the highest standards in the industry. Our 1–10 grading scale assesses four key attributes — centering, corners, edges, and surface — to deliver a precise, trusted grade for every card.
AGA graders meticulously examine every card using a standardized process built around four core attributes. Each attribute contributes to the overall grade, ensuring a comprehensive and fair evaluation of your card's condition.
Every card is graded by a certified AGA grader with the assistance of AGA's proprietary AI grading technology. This dual-layer approach combines the trained eye of an expert with the precision and consistency of machine analysis — ensuring every grade is accurate, fair, and consistent across every submission.
Measures how evenly the printed image is positioned on the card. Both the front and back are evaluated. Well-centered cards receive higher grades.
Examines all four corners for sharpness, rounding, fraying, or wear. Pristine corners are a hallmark of high-grade cards.
Inspects all edges for chipping, roughness, notching, or wear along the card's perimeter. Clean edges contribute to a higher overall grade.
Evaluates both front and back surfaces for scratches, staining, print defects, loss of gloss, creases, and any other imperfections.
An AGA Flawless 10 is a virtually perfect card — the pinnacle of the AGA grading scale. This card must exhibit four perfectly sharp corners, razor-clean edges, a pristine surface with full original gloss, and sharp image focus. The card must be free of staining, chipping, or defects of any kind. A minor printing imperfection may be allowable only if it does not diminish the card's overall visual appeal.
The Flawless designation represents AGA's highest standard of excellence. Cards that achieve this grade are exceptional in every measurable category and represent the finest known condition for their issue.
An AGA Mint 9 is a superb condition card that exhibits only one of the following minor flaws: a very slight wax stain on reverse, a minor printing imperfection, or slightly off-white borders. The card will appear nearly flawless to the naked eye, with only the most careful examination revealing the single minor flaw that prevents a Flawless designation.
Most of the original gloss must be retained, and the card must present exceptional eye appeal. Corners will be sharp with only the most negligible imperfection allowable on a single corner.
An AGA Near Mint–Mint 8 is a high-end card that may appear Mint at first glance. Upon closer inspection, the card may exhibit one or more of the following: the slightest fraying at one or two corners, a very minor printing imperfection, very slight wax staining on the reverse, or slightly off-white borders. The overall impression is of a card in outstanding condition with strong visual appeal.
The card should retain most of its original gloss, and any flaws present should be minor enough that they do not significantly detract from the card's presentation.
An AGA Near Mint 7 is a card with just slight surface wear visible upon close inspection. There may be slight fraying on some corners. Image focus may be slightly out of register, and a minor printing blemish is acceptable. Slight wax staining is acceptable on the back of the card only. Most of the original gloss is retained.
Despite the minor imperfections, an AGA 7 card maintains strong eye appeal and presents well. The wear should be moderate and consistent with careful handling over time.
An AGA Excellent–Mint 6 card may have visible surface wear or a printing defect which does not detract from its overall appeal. A very light scratch may be detected upon close inspection. Corners may have slightly graduated fraying. Image focus may be slightly out of register. The card may show some loss of original gloss and may exhibit very slight notching on edges.
Minor wax staining on the reverse is acceptable. Borders may show some off-whiteness. Despite noticeable wear, the card maintains respectable presentation and is fully intact with no creasing.
An AGA Excellent 5 card exhibits obvious wear but remains fully intact. There may be some rounding of the corners, though not extreme. Surface wear is evident with noticeable loss of original gloss. Light scratching or scuffing may be visible. A minor crease may be present if it does not detract significantly from the card's overall appearance.
The card may show noticeable off-white borders, moderate wax staining on reverse, and some discoloration. Despite the visible wear, the card's primary imagery and text remain clear and the card retains collectible appeal.
An AGA Very Good–Excellent 4 card shows heavy wear with multiple flaws. Corners exhibit significant rounding. Surface wear is considerable with noticeable scratching, scuffing, or staining. One or more light to moderate creases may be present. Some original gloss may be absent. Borders may be noticeably discolored or yellowed.
Despite the heavy wear, the card is fully intact and the primary image and text remain identifiable. Cards at this grade level are often sought after for vintage or key cards where the grade is secondary to the card's historical significance.
An AGA Very Good 3 card has significant wear and handling marks throughout. Corners show pronounced rounding, and surface wear is readily apparent including scratching, scuffing, and some staining. Borders may be considerably yellowed or browned. One or more creases may be visible. Original gloss is largely absent.
The card must still be fully intact with no missing pieces. Despite heavy handling, the card's imagery and content remain clear. This grade is common among vintage cards that have been enjoyed over decades of collecting.
An AGA Good 2 card shows major wear, creasing, or discoloration. Corners exhibit accelerated rounding and surface wear is obvious and extensive. The card may have scratching, scuffing, light staining, or chipping of the enamel. Multiple creases may be present. Original gloss may be completely absent. The card may show considerable discoloration throughout.
The card must remain fully intact — no missing pieces or tears that compromise the card's structure. Despite extensive wear, the card's subject and content remain identifiable. Cards at this level still hold value for set builders and collectors of rare or key vintage issues.
An AGA Poor 1 card exhibits severe damage but remains identifiable. The card may be missing one or two small pieces, exhibit major creasing that nearly breaks through the cardboard layers, or contain extreme discoloration that makes it difficult to identify the content. Noticeable warping or other destructive defects may be present.
Despite severe condition issues, the card retains collectible value when the issue is rare, historically significant, or a key card in a particular set. Many of the hobby's most iconic cards — valued at thousands or even millions of dollars — exist only in low grades due to their extreme age and rarity.
At AGA, every card is graded by a certified AGA grader — not a machine alone. Our graders bring years of hands-on experience evaluating cards across sports, TCGs, and collectibles of all eras.
What sets AGA apart is that every assessment is verified and supported by our proprietary AI grading system. The AI analyzes each card's centering, corners, edges, and surface with pixel-level precision, flagging inconsistencies and ensuring that no detail is overlooked.
This dual-layer approach guarantees two things that matter most to collectors: integrity and consistency. You can trust that your AGA grade reflects the true condition of your card — every single time.
Every card is evaluated by a certified AGA grader who examines condition, authenticity, and overall appeal with a practiced eye.
Our proprietary AI technology independently analyzes each card's attributes to verify the assigned grade and ensure consistency across all submissions.
By combining expert evaluation with AI precision, AGA eliminates bias and delivers grades you can trust — backed by technology, confirmed by expert judgment.
Our AI system continuously calibrates against thousands of graded examples, ensuring your card is held to the same standard whether it's the first submission of the day or the last.
Trust AGA's expert grading team to evaluate and preserve your collection with the precision and care it deserves.