GRADING

Grading Scale

Rise Grading uses a 20-point numeric scale from 1.0 (Poor) to 10.0+ (Pristine). Every grade is a precise evaluation across centering, corners, edges, and surface.

PristineGem MintMintNear MintExcellentGood / Very GoodFair / Poor
10.0+
Pristine
An extraordinary card meeting the highest possible standard across all four grading dimensions. Virtually impossible to distinguish from a freshly-printed specimen.
10.0
Gem Mint
Perfect centering, four perfectly sharp corners, clean edges, and a pristine surface. The gold standard for collectibility and resale.
9.5
Mint+
Exceptional card with at most one very minor imperfection — a touch of off-centering or a barely perceptible corner softening not visible without close inspection.
9.0
Mint
Outstanding card with minor allowed variance. Centering up to 55/45 front and 75/25 back; corners show only the lightest trace of wear.
8.5
NM/Mint+
Excellent card with slight corner wear or minor edge fraying on no more than two corners. Surface remains clean and bright.
8.0
NM/Mint
Slightly more noticeable but still minor corner wear, centering up to 65/35, and edges with light fraying. A strong card overall.
7.5
Near Mint+
Very light play wear apparent under close inspection. Corners may show mild rounding; one or two edge nicks acceptable.
7.0
Near Mint
Light wear on corners and edges. Surface may show faint scratches or minor print defects. Card still presents well.
6.5
Ex/NM+
Moderate corner wear, noticeable edge fraying, and possible light surface scratches. Card retains its image clarity.
6.0
Ex/NM
Clear wear on all four corners, noticeable edge wear, and some surface scuffing. Card is still complete and appealing.
5.5
Excellent+
Moderate to heavy corner rounding, frayed edges on most sides, and possible light creases. Card remains intact.
5.0
Excellent
Obvious wear across all surfaces. Corners rounded, edges heavily frayed, surface may show multiple scuffs or scratches.
4.5
VG/Ex+
Heavy wear with significant corner rounding, multiple edge nicks, and pronounced surface scuffs or minor creases.
4.0
VG/Ex
Major corner wear, significant edge damage, and possible crease lines. The card's image remains identifiable.
3.5
Very Good+
Very heavy wear. Corners blunted, edges severely damaged, and surface defects visible at arm's length.
3.0
Very Good
Card shows significant damage including deep creases, major edge chips, and heavy surface scratching.
2.5
Good+
Substantial damage throughout. Severe creasing, possible writing or stickers, and heavy wear on all surfaces.
2.0
Good
Card has severe damage — deep creases, tears, major stains, or missing portions of border. Still identifiable.
1.5
Fair
Heavily damaged card with creases that break the card stock, major tears, or extensive staining/writing.
1.0
Poor
The lowest grade. Card may have holes, complete corner tears, missing portions, or catastrophic surface damage.

Grade Bands at a Glance

Pristine

Flawless in every dimension. Perfect centering, razor-sharp corners, factory-fresh edges, and a surface free of any print or handling defects. Awarded only in exceptional cases.

Gem Mint

Near-perfect card. Virtually perfect centering, corners that show no wear under magnification, clean edges, and a glossy surface with no visible flaws to the naked eye.

Mint

Excellent high-grade card with very minor imperfections — slight centering variance or a barely detectable touch on one corner. Surface and edges remain clean.

Near Mint

Very light handling. May show slight corner wear or minor surface marks visible under close inspection. Still a great-looking card worth displaying.

Excellent

Light play wear. Corners may show minor rounding, edges can have slight fraying, and the surface may have faint scratches. Solid collectible condition.

Good / Very Good

Moderate wear throughout — rounded corners, noticeable edge wear, and surface scuffs or creases. Collectible for low-end or complete-set purposes.

Fair / Poor

Heavy wear, major creases, stains, or damage. Primarily a placeholder grade for cards with significant defects.

Grades are determined holistically across all four criteria. A card with one significant flaw in a single category will be graded according to its weakest attribute.