 |
DETERMINING A CARDS VALUE
There are many things that determine a card's value. We will examine what determines its value.
An important part in determining a card's value is its condition or grade. With two cards being identical, the card that is in better
condition will be worth more.
Before we discuss and list the grades of cards, it is important to understand the important aspects of condition.
Condition
Centering
Centering is important in determining the condition of a card. It is shown by a series of numbers, in ratio form, that represents the
percentage of border on a card. This ratio is shown in numbers divisible by five. The best centering ratio is 50/50 meaning
the bordering is the same width on each side of the card. It is perfectly centered. The worst ratio is 0/100. This means
that the border is entirely on one side of the card, there is none on the other. There are two ratios for a card. One is for the top
and bottom, and the second is for left-to-right. Sometimes cards are miscut. Cards are printed in sheets of many cards usually of
different players. A miscut card means that part of another card is in its larger border and part of that card is not shown (cut off).
This makes this card severely damaged and hurts the value of that card.
Corners
The most easily damaged part of a card is its corners. There are different degrees of corner wear:
Corner with slight wear - Corner is still sharp but there is slight wear showing. This shows as a speck of white on a dark-bordered card.
Fuzzy corner - Corner is beginning to fray, but still comes to a point.
Slightly rounded corner - There is only a hint of a point and layering (different layers of cardboard are revealed and overlap) may be occuring.
Rounded corner - The points of the card's corners are completely gone. There may also be signs of noticeable layering.
Badly rounded corner - The corners of the card are completely round and rough. There are signs of severe layering.
Creasing
Creases in cards can often occur. As in centering, there are different degrees of card creasing:
Light crease - The crease is barely noticable upon close inspection of the card. They can often be hidden from view by placing
the card in a holder or plastic sheet. This type of crease often can be revealed by placing the card in different light or holding
the card at a different angle.
Medium crease - The crease is noticable by the naked eye when held at arm's length but does not really detract from the card's appearance. The crease (wrinkle) is obvious, but it does not break the picture surface of the card.
Heavy crease - The crease has torn or broken the picture surface of the card. This means the crease has put a tear in the image surface.
Trimming
Deceptive altering or trimming sometimes occurs with cards. This is done to:
Improve the centering of a card.
Improve the sharpness of corners.
Remove or shave-off edge wear.
The best way to check to see if a card has been trimmed is to measure the card or check the card with one of the same year and manufacturer that
you know was not altered. Trimming lowers the value of a card and many collectors will not buy an altered card.
Other Defects With Cards
Other defects listed below affect the value of a card:
Tobacco, gum, wax, or candy stains (from how and with what the card was packaged with).
Pencil marks, pen marks, or writing on card.
Erasure marks.
Scratched off puzzles or scratch-offs.
Removed tabs or coupons.
Warping, wrinkling, or scratching of card.
Loss of gloss or fading of card.
Rubber band marks or other dings in card.
Grading
Gem Mint
Gem Mint This is an absolutely perfect card.
Mint (Mt)
No flaws. Four sharp corners. Centering is 55/45 or better. Card has smooth edges, original color and gloss. There are no print spots and no color or focus imperfections on card.
Near Mint–Mint (NrMt-Mt)
Close but not quite a Mint card. Centering is 60/40 or better. Edges of card are relatively smooth. Card has original color, border, and gloss. The card may have a minor flaw such as a few minor print spots, some focus imperfections, and very slight wear (touch) where the card was bumped or touched.
Near Mint (Nrmt)
Close but not quite a Near Mint-Mint card. Centering is 70/30 or better. Two or three of the card’s corners may be slightly fuzzy. The card’s edges can show slight wear. The card can have a noticeable print spot, or a minor color or focus imperfection.
Excellent-Mint (ExMt)
Centering of card must be 80/20 or better. Card may have visible surface wear or a printing defect that does not detract from its appearance.
Card’s corners can be very slightly frayed or fuzzy. Edges of card can be faintly rough. Picture may be vaguely out of focus.
Card can show signs of color or gloss loss and may have a minor stain on the back of it.
Excellent (Ex)
Centering of card must be 80/20 or better. Corners of card may be fuzzy, or have a slight ding or notch. Card may have rough edges.
The card may have noticeable print spots, poor gloss or poor focus.
Very Good (Vg)
Card shows wear, but is still attractive. Corners of card may be slightly rounded. Card’s edges can be slightly layered, chipped, or notched. There may be a minor scuff or hairline crease on the card.
Good (G)
Card shows significant wear, but still has some appeal. Corners of card may be severely rounded, scuffed, or layered. Card may show signs of
severe creasing, fading, or staining. The card could also be altered or retouched.
Fair (F) - Poor (P)
Fair and Poor cards have extreme problems with them such as a major part of it is missing or it is severely marred. The difference between a Fair and
a Poor card is that a Fair card has some facade or appeal while a poor card is abhorrent.
|
|
>