Condition Guidelines

Transparency and trust are at the core of TCG Collects. Whether you are buying singles from us or selling your collection, we use strict, industry-standard grading criteria to ensure everyone is on the same page.

Below is exactly how we define card conditions. We base these on the standard UK market definitions (Cardmarket/eBay standards).

Near Mint (NM)

Cards in Near Mint condition show minimal to no wear from shuffling, play, or handling.

Surface: Clean and bright. May have one or two very minor factory print lines or a tiny, barely noticeable surface scratch.

Edges/Corners: Crisp. A maximum of one or two tiny specks of white on the back edges or corners is acceptable.

Overall: To the untrained eye, a Near Mint card looks "pack fresh." We do not guarantee cards will grade a PSA/BGS 10, as centering and microscopic factory defects are out of our control.

Lightly Played (LP)

Cards in Lightly Played condition show minor wear from light play or handling.

Surface: May have minor surface scratches visible under direct light or slight scuffing.

Edges/Corners: Mild edge wear or slight whitening on the corners/borders (usually on the back).

Overall: There are absolutely no creases, bends, or structural damage. A Lightly Played card still looks excellent in a binder or double-sleeved.

Moderately Played (MP)

Cards in Moderately Played condition show obvious, visible wear but remain tournament legal when sleeved.

Surface: Noticeable surface scratches, mild clouding on foils, or minor binder indentations.

Edges/Corners: Moderate whitening around the edges, soft corners, or minor chipping.

Overall: The card has clearly been played or handled frequently without a sleeve. It may have very minor structural wear but no massive, card-folding creases or water damage.

Heavily Played & Damaged (HP / D)

Cards in this category show severe wear. Please note: We generally do not buy Heavily Played or Damaged cards unless they are high-end vintage items.

Indicators: Deep creases, folds, severe edge peeling, water damage, heavy dirt, writing, or major binder ring dents.

Overall: The structural integrity of the card is compromised.