Photo Grade Estimator
Look at your card (or a photo of it) and select the closest description for each criterion. Get instant PSA, BGS, and CGC grade estimates with a grading recommendation.
🔲Step 1: Corners
Examine all four corners under good lighting.
📏Step 2: Edges
Run your finger along all 4 edges. Check for chipping or roughness.
✨Step 3: Surface
Tilt the card under direct light to reveal scratches, print dots, or staining.
🎯Step 4: Centering
Compare left-right and top-bottom borders. Are they even?
PSA Grade Reference Chart
| Grade | Label | Corners | Edges | Surface | Centering |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | Gem Mint | Perfect points | Flawless | No defects | 55/45 or better |
| 9 | Mint | Slight touch 1 corner | Minor wear 1 edge | 1 minor flaw | 60/40 or better |
| 8 | NM-MT | Light wear 2-3 | Light wear 1-2 | Few minor flaws | 65/35 or better |
| 7 | NM | Slight rounding | Some roughness | Light scratches | 70/30 or better |
| 6 | EX-MT | Noticeable wear | Visible wear | Noticeable marks | 75/25 or better |
| 5 | EX | Rounding | Chipping | Light creases | 80/20 or better |
| 4 | VG-EX | Heavy rounding | Heavy wear | Creases | 85/15 or better |
Common Photo Assessment Pitfalls
Lighting hides scratches
Overhead lighting can mask surface scratches. Tilt the card under a direct light source at 30-45 degrees to reveal hidden surface marks that would affect grading.
Phone cameras add distortion
Smartphone lenses create barrel distortion, making centering look worse than reality. Hold camera parallel to card, 8-12 inches away for accurate assessment.
Glossy cards reflect light
Chrome, Prizm, and refractor cards create reflection spots that hide surface defects. Photograph at a slight angle or use polarized lighting.
Dark edges look clean
Dark-bordered cards (like 1993 SP) hide edge whitening in photos. Examine the actual card under magnification — white chipping may be invisible in pictures.
Penny sleeves add haze
Grading a card through a penny sleeve makes it look hazier. Remove from sleeve for accurate surface assessment, then re-sleeve immediately.
Screen color shifts grades
Monitor calibration affects how you see yellowing and discoloration. Compare to a known reference card in the same photo if possible.