Card ConditionGuide
Every card listed on HoloSwaps must use these condition definitions. This protects buyers, sellers, and the integrity of every trade.
Misrepresenting a card's condition — intentionally or otherwise — is grounds for dispute resolution, trade reversal, and potential account suspension. When in doubt, list the lower grade.
What We Evaluate
Every condition grade is determined by assessing all four of these areas together.
Centering
The ratio of border width on opposite sides, front and back.
Surface
Scratches, scuffs, print lines, and foil condition.
Edges
Whitening, nicks, chips, and wear along all four edges.
Corners
Fraying, rounding, bending, and layer separation at all four corners.
Mint
Grade 6Equivalent to PSA 10 — Gem Mint
Virtually perfect in every way. A card you would be proud to put straight into a top loader and never touch again.
Centering
60/40 or better on all sides (front and back).
Surface
Absolutely no scratches, scuffs, print lines, or staining. Foil cards must have a mirror-like finish with zero cloudiness.
Edges
Perfectly sharp and clean on all four sides. No whitening, nicks, or chips whatsoever.
Corners
All four corners are perfectly sharp and show zero fraying, bending, or rounding.
Overall
No print defects, no factory issues. A card that looks as if it has never left the pack.
Acceptable at this grade
Absolutely no defects — this grade is reserved for flawless cards.
Minor, invisible-to-the-naked-eye factory imperfections that do not affect the grade.
Not acceptable — lower the grade
Any visible surface wear, scratching, or scuffing
Any whitening on edges or corners
Centering worse than 60/40
Any creasing or bending
Listing a card as Mint when it has any visible wear is considered misrepresentation and may result in account suspension.
Near Mint
Grade 5Equivalent to PSA 8–9 — Near Mint or Near Mint–Mint
A card with minimal wear that is only noticeable on very close inspection. The overwhelming first impression is of a clean, well-kept card.
Centering
65/35 or better on all sides.
Surface
Very light surface wear may be present under direct light — no deep scratches. Foil cards may have very faint cloudiness visible only at certain angles.
Edges
Very minor edge wear (1–2 small nicks or very slight whitening) is acceptable.
Corners
Corners are sharp with at most very slight fraying visible under close inspection.
Overall
No creasing, bending, or water damage. Card lies completely flat.
Acceptable at this grade
1–2 very minor edge nicks barely visible to the naked eye
Very light surface scuff visible only under direct light
Very slight corner rounding on one corner
Not acceptable — lower the grade
Visible surface scratches or scuffs at normal viewing distance
Noticeable whitening on edges or corners
Any creasing or bending
Centering worse than 65/35
Near Mint is the most common condition disputed in trades. Be conservative — if you're unsure between NM and LP, list it as LP.
Lightly Played
Grade 4Equivalent to PSA 7 — Near Mint
Light wear that is clearly visible on close inspection but does not significantly impact the card's appearance from a normal viewing distance.
Centering
70/30 or better on all sides.
Surface
Light scuffs or minor scratches visible under normal lighting. Foil may have moderate cloudiness.
Edges
Noticeable edge wear — light whitening along one or more edges, up to 3–4 small nicks.
Corners
Minor corner wear on up to two corners — slight fraying or very slight rounding.
Overall
No creasing, bending, or structural damage. Card is still visually clean from arm's length.
Acceptable at this grade
Noticeable but light edge whitening on one or two edges
Up to 3–4 minor edge nicks
Minor corner wear on up to two corners
Light surface scuffs or very minor scratches
Not acceptable — lower the grade
Creasing or bending of any kind
Heavy or widespread whitening
Corner peeling or lifting
Water staining or ink marks
Photos must clearly show the wear present. LP cards with undisclosed creases are the leading cause of trade disputes.
Moderately Played
Grade 3Equivalent to PSA 5–6 — Excellent to Excellent–Mint
Moderate wear clearly visible from a normal viewing distance. The card shows signs of heavy casual use but remains structurally sound.
Centering
75/25 or better.
Surface
Multiple scuffs, scratches, or whitening visible on the card face. Foil cards may have significant cloudiness.
Edges
Significant whitening on multiple edges, multiple nicks, or minor chips.
Corners
Wear on multiple corners — noticeable fraying or rounding on 2–3 corners.
Overall
Very minor, shallow creases may be present if they don't create a visible ridge. Card lies mostly flat.
Acceptable at this grade
Widespread edge whitening
Multiple nicks or chips on edges
Corner fraying on 2–3 corners
Multiple surface scuffs or scratches
Very minor, shallow crease that creates no ridge
Not acceptable — lower the grade
Deep creases or visible ridges
Corners peeling or separating layers
Water staining visible on the card face
Ink or pen marks
Structural bending (card does not lie flat)
MP cards must include clear close-up photos of all visible damage. Failure to disclose known damage is grounds for dispute.
Heavily Played
Grade 2Equivalent to PSA 2–4 — Good to Very Good
Heavy wear immediately obvious at arm's length. The card has significant damage but is still intact and identifiable.
Centering
Any centering.
Surface
Heavy scratching, major scuffs, or significant whitening across the card face or back.
Edges
Severe edge whitening on most or all edges. Chips and significant nicks throughout.
Corners
Major corner wear on 3–4 corners — heavy fraying, rounding, or partial layer separation.
Overall
Visible creases or ridges are allowed. Card is still structurally one piece.
Acceptable at this grade
Visible creases with ridges
Heavy edge whitening on all sides
Significant corner damage including layer separation
Heavy surface scratching or scuffing
Light water staining not obscuring the card artwork
Not acceptable — lower the grade
Tears or holes in the card
Completely separated layers
Writing or ink marks obscuring artwork
Card is bent and will not lie flat without force
HP cards must include photos of all four corners, all four edges, the full card face, and the card back. Do not list as HP if the card is actually Damaged.
Damaged
Grade 1Equivalent to PSA 1 — Poor
Severe damage that significantly impacts the card's structural integrity or playability. A card in this condition is typically only collectible for sentimental or set-completion reasons.
Centering
Any centering.
Surface
Any level of surface damage including heavy writing, severe water damage, or sticker residue obscuring the card.
Edges
Any level of edge damage including significant tears, notches, or complete layer separation.
Corners
Any level of corner damage including major tearing or complete peeling.
Overall
Card may have tears, holes, writing, severe water damage, heavy bending that cannot be undone, or other extreme damage.
Acceptable at this grade
Tears or small holes in the card
Writing or pen/marker marks
Severe water damage or staining that affects the artwork
Permanent bending or curling
Complete corner or layer separation
Sticker residue obscuring any part of the card
Not acceptable — lower the grade
Nothing is excluded — if it doesn't fit any condition above, it is Damaged.
Damaged cards are accepted on HoloSwaps but both parties must explicitly agree to trade a Damaged card. Always photograph every defect.
Photo Requirements
Photos are your primary protection in any dispute. HoloSwaps strongly recommends following this checklist for every card you list, regardless of condition.
Photograph the card face under bright, even lighting — avoid harsh shadows
Photograph the card back under the same lighting
Take a close-up of every corner individually
Take a close-up of every edge individually
For foil cards, photograph at multiple angles to capture surface texture
For any crease, photograph it under raking light so the ridge is visible
For any water damage or staining, include a photo that clearly shows the extent
Include a photo of the full card next to something for scale (e.g. a ruler)
If a dispute is opened and you have not provided adequate photos, HoloSwaps may rule in favour of the other party regardless of the card's actual condition. Photos are your evidence.
Condition Disputes
When a card arrives at the HoloSwaps Verification Center and its condition does not match the listed grade, we will pause the trade and open a dispute. Our verification team uses these exact definitions to make that determination. The listing condition and the verified condition are compared objectively — there is no room for subjective interpretation.
One grade off
We will notify both parties and offer the option to renegotiate or cancel the trade at no penalty to either side.
Two+ grades off
The trade is cancelled. The misgraded card is returned to the sender. A warning is added to the sender's account.
Intentional fraud
Account permanently banned. Relevant authorities may be notified depending on the value of the trade.
Questions about a condition ruling? support@holoswaps.com
Ready to list your cards?
Use this guide every time you add a card to your collection. Your reputation depends on accurate grading.