Trading Card Condition Guide

At Eddy’s Emporium, we want every customer to understand the condition of the card they are purchasing.

All raw trading cards are assessed using recognised condition standards commonly used across major trading card marketplaces. The PSA grading scale may also be referenced as a broad guide to help explain the expected level of condition.

Please remember that raw cards have not been professionally graded. We therefore cannot guarantee a specific grading result, perfect centring, or the complete absence of factory imperfections.

Our Condition Standards

Near Mint

A Near Mint card should have a clean overall appearance with only minimal signs of handling or manufacturing wear.

Minor imperfections may include:

  • Slight edge or corner whitening
  • Small surface marks
  • Light print lines
  • Minor centring differences
  • Factory cutting or printing imperfections

As a broad reference only, cards in this condition may be comparable to cards graded around PSA 7 or above.

Excellent — Lightly Played

An Excellent card may show light signs of previous handling or play while still presenting well overall.

Possible imperfections may include:

  • Light edge or corner wear
  • Minor surface scratches
  • Small areas of whitening
  • Light scuffing
  • Slight bends or surface impressions
  • More noticeable centring or print defects

As a broad reference only, cards in this condition may be comparable to cards graded around PSA 4–6.

Very Good — Moderately Played

A Very Good card will show noticeable signs of handling, play or storage.

Possible imperfections may include:

  • Visible edge and corner wear
  • Scratches or surface scuffing
  • Whitening
  • Small creases
  • Bends or impressions
  • Moderate surface wear

As a broad reference only, cards in this condition may be comparable to cards graded around PSA 2–4.

Poor — Heavily Played

A Poor card will show significant wear or damage but will remain suitable for collecting, completing a set or casual play unless otherwise stated.

Possible imperfections may include:

  • Heavy edge and corner wear
  • Significant scratches or scuffing
  • Creases or bends
  • Surface damage
  • Staining or discolouration
  • Peeling or other substantial wear

As a broad reference only, cards in this condition may be comparable to cards graded around PSA 1–2.

Important Grading Notice

Any PSA comparisons shown on this page are provided as a general condition reference only. They do not represent a professional grading assessment and are not a guarantee that a card will receive a particular grade if submitted to PSA or another grading company.

Professional grading companies assess several factors, including:

  • Centring
  • Corners
  • Edges
  • Surface condition
  • Printing quality
  • Alterations or restoration

Grading outcomes can also vary between companies and individual assessments.

Why We Do Not Describe Raw Cards as “Gem Mint”

Even cards taken directly from booster packs can contain manufacturing imperfections. These may include print lines, surface marks, whitening, off-centre printing, rough factory cuts or minor corner damage.

For this reason, Eddy’s Emporium does not describe raw or ungraded cards as Gem Mint. A card must be professionally assessed by a recognised grading company before a specific Gem Mint grade can be confirmed.

Product Images and Representative Scans

Where possible, we use high-quality scans because they provide a clearer and more realistic representation than standard stock images.

When multiple copies of the same card are available, the scan shown may be a representative example rather than the exact copy you will receive.

The card supplied may therefore have minor differences in:

  • Centring
  • Foil or print pattern
  • Factory finish
  • Surface characteristics
  • Edge or corner appearance
  • Minor cosmetic imperfections

Every card is checked before dispatch and will be assessed to ensure that it matches the condition advertised in the product listing.

Scanners and photographs may not always show every imperfection. Certain bends, surface marks, foil scratches, impressions or areas of wear may be more visible when the card is viewed under direct light or from a particular angle.

For higher-value cards, or where the exact card shown is being sold, this will normally be stated within the individual product listing.

Authenticity Guarantee

Every trading card and collectible sold by Eddy’s Emporium is guaranteed to be genuine and authentic to the best of our knowledge and assessment.

We carefully source and inspect our products and never knowingly buy or sell counterfeit trading cards or collectibles.

Returns and Order Concerns

We want you to shop with confidence.

Returns are accepted in accordance with our Returns and Refunds Policy. If you have any questions or concerns about the condition of a card or an order you have received, please contact us and we will do our best to resolve the matter quickly and fairly.

To help us investigate an issue, we may ask you to provide clear photographs of the card, packaging and delivery condition.

Questions Before Purchasing

Card condition can be subjective, particularly with raw and ungraded cards.

Please contact us before purchasing if you would like further information about a particular card. We are always happy to help where possible.