Introduction
At Collexy, collectors, buyers and sellers converge to celebrate the art, history, and thrill of art collecting. Collectibles are nuanced, TCG are no exception to this. Both the variation and the condition of the trading cards are not merely superficial considerations. As the variation and condition are linchpins that determine the value, price, rarity and desirability, understanding their pivotal role is essential.
Collexy boasts custom-made databases representing the different trading cards (master-level) and the different versions of the trading cards on the most detailed level (version-level). Collexy acts as a catalog of all trading cards and all different variations of each of these trading cards. This enables users to not simply select the correct card (master), but also the correct variation (version). Users add trading cards to their inventory on an objective basis by matching their card with the correct master and version, eliminating the risk of selling the wrong (version of the) card.
The importance of these custom-made database can be illustrated by comparing the prices of first edition cards with unlimited edition cards. Databases that only distinguish on a master-level will include both first edition prices and unlimited edition prices to determine the value of the card (i.e. master-level). Collexy distinguishes (amongst others) between first edition and unlimited edition and generates a version for first edition and a version for unlimited edition under the master-level, allowing for a very strong increase in accuracy and substantially improving the ability for users to collect, buy and sell.
In the listing process on Collexy, after selecting the correct master and version, the users are required to add the condition and, optionally, a description and pictures of that specific card. These elements of the listing process are the only subjective sides of listing. To reduce the risk of any inconsistencies, this condition guide is designed as a standardized, ecosystem-conform guide to help determining the correct condition of the card.
The above factors allow for detailed collections, market-conform prices, more precise valuations and accurate listings. Both determining the applicable version and the accurate condition allows the profile (and listing) of the card to correctly depict the card.
This guide is not simply a set of rules, it is a collective commitment to preserving the integrity of the trading card experience created to empower our community to make informed decisions, fostering trust and ensuring that every transaction is a celebration of the shares passion for collecting. This guide applies to all cards in identically the same way.
Principles before determining the condition
When adding the cards to your inventory, consider the following general principles:
- Lighting: ensure that you are in a sufficiently lighted room to determine all possible (small) imperfections.
- “Pack fresh”: the fact that cards are “pack fresh”, i.e. obtained from opening brand-new packs, does not necessarily mean that the cards are in near mint or mint condition. Always check the condition based on the card itself.
- Pictures: including pictures when adding cards to your inventory significantly reduces the room for discussion about the condition of the card.
- Description: including an accurate description also reduces the room for discussion about the condition of the card.
- Undersell: be conservative with determining condition.
Grading vs Determining Condition
“Grading” and “Determining Condition” are in their core the same: determine the state and quality of a specific item. However, distinction should be made as “grading” refers to professional third-party grading services assigning a numerical value to illustrate the condition of a card while “determining condition” refers to a (to a certain extent biased) subjective interpretation by the owner of the card of the condition of the card.
It is therefore of paramount important to understand that grades and/or references to third-party grading companies (including any speculation on their grades of a specific card) for non-graded cards are not acceptable and can be deemed as misleading the buyer if the cards would be sold on the marketplace.
For graded cards, the grade given by the official third-party company will be used. If the cards are not graded, no reference can be made to the third-party company’s grading scale.
Condition elements
The condition of the trading card is determined by taking the base condition, i.e. 10/10, which will then be amended based on the imperfections. The condition is determined by considering the different “condition elements”
The score of the card can never go below 0.
- Edges / Corners
This segment focuses on the edges and corners of the card, both on the front and back of the card.
The edges and corners should be carefully checked for any imperfections or damage. This includes looking for wear and chips that could affect the appearance and quality of the front and back of the card.
These are defined as follows:
- Small chip (“dot”): a whitening dot on the card that can only be seen from up close. This applies for the sides, not for the corners.
- Large chip (“>2mm line”): a whitening line on the card that is more obvious from afar. It differs from a “small chip” as the amount of whitening is larger. This applies for the sides, not for the corners.
- Whitening corner: a corner that has whitening around it that is more obvious from afar.
| Issue | Point correction |
|---|---|
| Per small chip (“dot”) | -0.5 |
| Per large chip (“>2mm line” or “large dot”) | -2 |
| Per whitening corner (“whitening corner”) | -2 |
- Surface This segment focuses on the surface of the card, both on the front and back of the card.
The surface should be carefully checked for any hairline scratches, scratches, surface wear, grime or indents.
These are defined as follows:
- Hairline scratches: (very) faint scratches on the holofoil of the card.
- Scratch: a mark or scrape on the card that sometimes removes part of the card.
- Grime / Dirt: undesired particles or substances on the card, diminishing its cleanliness.
- Indent: a concave or depressed area on the card, often caused by pressure or impact affecting the smoothness of the card.
| Issue | Point correction |
|---|---|
| Per set of hairline scratches | -1 |
| Per scratch (< 5mm) | -3 |
| Per scratch (> 5mm) | -5 |
| Grime / Dirt / Faded holofoil | -4 |
| Per indent | -4 |
- Structural imperfections This segment focuses on the surface of the card, both on the front and back of the card.
Structural imperfections of trading cards are very clear and straightforward to spot.
These are imperfections that impact the structure of the trading cards like a bend, tear or damage.
These are defined as follows: Curvature: a gentle or gradual bend or curve in its surface that affects the straightness of the card.
- Damage (<1 square cm): smaller impairment or negative alteration of the physical condition of the card, other than bend or tear.
- Damage (>1 square cm): greater impairment or negative alteration of the physical condition of the card, other than bend or tear.
- Bend: a fold of the card that permanently impacts the straightness and overall condition of the card.
- Tear: a damaged area where the card has been ripped or split, resulting in a visible gap and impacting the overall condition of the card.
| Issue | Point correction |
|---|---|
| Per curvature | -1 |
| Per area of damage (<1 square cm) | -5 |
| Per area of damage (>1 square cm) | -7.5 |
| Per bend | -10 |
| Per tear | -10 |
- Factory imperfections
Factory imperfections do not impact the score of the trading card. However, each factory imperfection should be accompanied with the correct description when the trading card clearly (without any reasonable discussion) has a factory imperfection.
Please note that this does NOT apply to errors recognized in the database as a separate version.
The factory imperfections are defined as follows:
- Defect: a printing or manufacturing error like squarecut, crimped, miscut, holo shift.
Off-centering: the alignment of the card and its borders are not proportional impacting the balanced and visually appealing presentation of the card.
Alterations
Alterations do not impact the score of the trading card. However, each alterations should be accompanied with the correct description and explanation. The alterations are defined as follows:
- Signature: a handwritten autograph or personal mark by an individual, often a notable figure or the illustrator of the card.
- Colouring: the application of pigments or dyes to the surface of the card, changing and/or improving the visual appearance of the card.
- Trimming: the intentional removal of parts of the card from its edges or corners, often to alter its size, appearance or to conceal imperfections.
Rate conversion to card condition
The rate conversion only applies to ungraded (raw) cards. The rate conversion does not apply to graded cards as the grade provided by the third-party is the official grade.
| Points | Condition | Definition | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | MINT | Cards in this condition show no whitening on the edges / corners whatsoever with an immaculate surface and without any structural imperfections. There are generally no MINT raw cards. Use this condition with extreme caution as conditions are subjective. | |
| 8-9 | NEAR MINT | Cards in this condition show minimal wear, minimal whitening and/or minimal surface issues. A card in this condition could also have some faint hairline scratches, but looks overall unplayed without any structural imperfections. | |
| 5-7 | LIGHTLY PLAYED | Cards in this condition show some wear, some whitening and/or some surface issues. A card in this condition could have some scratches and noticeable imperfections, but nothing severe. | |
| 3-4 | MODERATELY PLAYED | Cards in this condition show wear, whitening and/or surface issues. A card in this condition can have scratches, creases, grime and/or other structural imperfections. | |
| 1-2 | HEAVILY PLAYED | Cards in this condition show significant wear, significant whitening and/or substantial surface issues. A card in this condition can have scratches, creases, grime and/or other more severe structural imperfections. | |
| 0 | DAMAGED | Cards in this condition show major wear, extreme whitening and/or very severe surface issues beyond the previously mentioned conditions, specifically bend and/or tears. A card in this condition can have scratches, creases, grime and/or more extreme structural imperfections. |