Trading Card Conditioning Standards
At Spanky’s Loot Stash, we grade trading cards carefully to make sure you know exactly what you’re getting. Card condition is based on the type, severity, and number of imperfections a card has. Imperfections may come from handling, storage, play, or occasionally from manufacturing defects.
Some imperfections can affect a card’s structural integrity. If a card’s integrity is compromised, it is classified as Damaged.
When evaluating a card, we look at three core areas:
- Structure: The physical stability and integrity of the cardstock
- Playability: Whether the card can legally be used as a game piece
- Authentication: Whether the card can be verified as an authentic product
Near Mint
Near Mint cards show very minimal wear and appear close to unplayed. They may have:
- Slight edge wear
- A couple small surface scratches
Overall, NM cards are clean, crisp, and free of major defects.
Lightly Played
Lightly Played cards show minor, noticeable wear, but nothing severe. These may include:
- Small edge wear
- Light scuffs or light scratches
Moderately Played
Moderately Played cards show moderate wear, such as:
- Edge and surface wear
- Scuffing
- Scratches
- Creases or bends that do not compromise structure
Certain flaws—like peels—may qualify as MP if the card’s structure and authentication remain intact.
Heavily Played
Heavily Played cards show significant and heavy wear, potentially including:
- Major edge wear or whitening
- Deep creasing or surface wear
- Multiple visible imperfections
HP cards may look rough but are still structurally intact and authentically verifiable.
Damaged / Damaged Foil
Damaged cards have major wear or issues beyond the HP category, including:
- Severe border wear
- Deep scratches or scuffs
- Major creasing, tears, or splitting
Defects & Alterations
The following are automatically considered Damaged:
- Manufacturing defects such as crimping or major miscuts
- Cards altered with signatures, stamps, paint, marker, etc.