The official grading scale used by PXG to evaluate trading cards based on centering, corners, edges, surface quality, eye appeal, and overall presentation.
Every card submitted to PXG undergoes a detailed inspection process using consistent grading standards designed to protect collectors and maintain marketplace confidence.
A PXG 10 Gem Mint represents an elite example of a card exhibiting exceptional eye appeal and near-flawless overall presentation. Cards receiving this grade display premium visual quality with only the most negligible manufacturing characteristics permitted.
Expected attributes include razor-sharp corners, clean edges, strong surface integrity, proper focus, and original factory gloss. The card must remain free of significant staining, damage, or distracting defects. Minor production-related imperfections may be tolerated only when they do not meaningfully impact the card’s visual presentation or collectible quality.
To qualify for a PXG 10, front centering should generally fall within approximately 55/45 or better, while reverse centering may be as wide as approximately 75/25, provided the card remains strong across all other grading categories.
A PXG 9 Mint represents a high-end card with outstanding overall presentation and strong eye appeal, displaying only minimal condition characteristics that prevent it from reaching Gem Mint status.
Permissible characteristics generally include a single minor flaw or a small combination of very light imperfections. Examples may include a subtle print defect, slight border toning or color variation, or a minor production-related issue that does not significantly impact overall presentation.
To qualify for a PXG 9, front centering should generally fall within approximately 60/40 or better, while reverse centering may be as wide as approximately 90/10.
A PXG 8 Near Mint represents a high-quality card with strong eye appeal that may initially present similarly to higher-grade examples.
Cards at this level may display minor signs of wear or subtle production-related imperfections. Examples can include slight corner softness, minimal edge fraying, light print defects, minor surface characteristics, or slight border aging or color variation.
To qualify for a PXG 8, front centering should generally fall within approximately 65/35 or better.
A PXG 7 Excellent-Mint represents a well-preserved card with strong overall presentation and above-average eye appeal, while showing moderate condition characteristics visible under closer evaluation.
Cards at this level may display minor surface wear, light/moderate corner fraying, subtle edge imperfections, or small print-related characteristics.
To qualify for a PXG 7, front centering should generally fall within approximately 70/30 or better.
A PXG 6 Excellent represents a solid mid-to-high grade card that maintains respectable visual appeal while displaying noticeable condition characteristics upon examination.
Cards within this grade may display visible surface wear, moderate print-related imperfections, or isolated flaws that do not substantially diminish overall eye appeal.
To qualify for a PXG 6, front centering should generally fall within approximately 80/20 or better.
A PXG 5 Very Good–Excellent represents a card with moderate visible wear while still maintaining solid collector appeal and overall presentation.
Cards within this grade may exhibit moderate surface wear, more noticeable print-related imperfections, or multiple minor condition characteristics across several grading categories.
To qualify for a PXG 5, front centering should generally fall within approximately 85/15 or better.
A PXG 4 Very Good represents a card with visible signs of handling and age while still maintaining respectable presentation and collector appeal.
Cards within this grade may exhibit noticeable but moderate surface wear, visible corner rounding, or multiple condition characteristics across the card.
To qualify for a PXG 4, front centering should generally fall within approximately 85/15 or better.
A PXG 3 Good represents a card with evident wear and multiple visible condition characteristics resulting from handling, age, or production factors.
Cards within this grade may exhibit moderate corner rounding, visible surface wear, and more pronounced edge deterioration.
To qualify for a PXG 3, front centering should generally fall within approximately 90/10 or better.
A PXG 2 Fair represents a card with substantial visible wear and multiple condition characteristics that significantly affect overall appearance.
Cards within this grade may exhibit pronounced corner rounding, heavy surface wear, and noticeable deterioration across multiple grading categories.
To qualify for a PXG 2, front centering should generally fall within approximately 90/10 or better.
A PXG 1 Poor represents a card with severe condition issues that dramatically impact overall presentation, structural integrity, and collector appeal.
Cards within this grade may exhibit major creasing, extensive surface wear, heavy staining, severe discoloration, substantial edge and corner deterioration, or widespread structural damage.
A PXG Authentic designation indicates that an item has been reviewed and determined, in PXG’s opinion, to be a genuine collectible; however, no numerical condition grade has been assigned.
An item may receive an Authentic designation for a variety of reasons, including significant defects, evidence of alteration or restoration, manufacturing abnormalities, or at the request of the original submitter.
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