DSG's Sports Card Grading Scale

Sports Card Grading Criteria

DSG uses a detailed 10-point grading scale to assess sports cards.
Review DSG’s standards for each grade below.

Note: The maximum amount that centering can reduce a card’s grade is 2 points.

Flawless Diamond 10

A truly perfect card with 50/50 centering on the front, 52/48 or better centering on the back and no visible flaws. This is the most coveted grade in the industry.

GEM MINT 10

57/43 or better centering on the front of card, 65/35 centering on the back. Four sharp corners, free of stains, no breaks in surface gloss and no visible wear. A slight print spot visible is allowable if it does not detract from the aesthetics of the card. This card will look “pack fresh” and beautiful to the naked eye.

MINT 9

65/35 or better centering on the front of card, 90/10 centering on the back, four sharp corners*. One very slight hit to a corner or two very minor flaws to the surface or edges may exist, such as a slight printers’ mark or a very small imperfection on the boarders or surface. This card without magnification will look very close to a gem mint.

NM/MINT 8

70/30 or better centering on the front of card, 90/10 centering on the back, corners sharp to the naked eye but may exhibit slight wear under magnification. A few small flaws may exist but not super noticeable to the naked eye. Slight wear to up to two corners upon magnification, a couple very slight chips to the edges or a couple very small scratches or printers’ marks are acceptable with an 8.

NMT 7

75/25 or better centering on the front of the card, 90/10 centering on the back, slight wear on the corners, minor scratching, some minor print spots. Print lines or refractor lines are acceptable. Cards can be slightly skewed.

NM 6

80/20 or better centering on the front of card, 90/10 centering on the back, slight fuzzing of corners will be evident, skewed cut may be more evident, focus or register may be off, slight rough edges may exist and finally surface may not have original luster.

EX 5

85/15 or better centering on the front of card, 90/10 centering on the back, minor rounding or fuzzing of corners, rough edges or chipping along edge, one very slight one-sided surface crease may exist, original luster of card may be lost from surface with some scratching, but card still looks good.

VG/EX 4

85/15 or better centering on the front of card, 90/10 on the back. Corners are slightly rounded with noticeable surface wear. Light hairline one sided creases may show on front and back of card. A light tear, (1/8th inch or less) or minor damage may exist on the card surface.

VG 3

90/10 or better centering on the front of card, centering not considered on the back toward grade, corners on the grade 3 rounded–but not excessive, stronger creasing may exist. Poorer focus, registration, discoloration, and staining are more noticeable.

GOOD 2

Centered 90/10 or better on the front of card, centering not considered on the back toward grade. This card usually has one or more print marks, smudges or stains, multiple 2-sided crease(s), pinhole or slight tears in card, surface scuffing, rounded corners and ink or pencil marks.

POOR 1

This is the lowest grade possible. If you have a grade 1 you can clearly see it has been to battle. But rest assured if it is in our encapsulation, you know 100% for certain; at least it is an authentic card and not a counterfeit. This is a card graded often because its owner loves it.

1/2 GRADE

Understanding 1/2 grades. 1/2 grades are reserved for cards that although the program deems them a certain grade, the card is exceptionally nice and just barely misses the next highest grade.

Sports Card Grading Scale