GTG Standards
Every card is assessed across front centering, front corners, front edges, front surface, back centering, back corners, back edges, and back surface. Grades are awarded based on the overall condition of the card across these categories.
God Tier
Perfect across all eight grading categories.Measured grading categories across the front and back.
The rarest GTG result, reserved for perfect examples.
Poor cards show severe damage or structural issues.
Numerical grades
For grades 10 and above, cards are expected to appear visually flawless under normal viewing conditions. Minor microscopic imperfections may still exist and may be identified separately through GTG defect reporting where relevant.
The highest grade achievable. Perfect across all eight grading categories.
A God Tier card represents the highest standard achievable within the GTG grading scale. All eight grading categories must achieve a perfect score, with no significant defects visible under normal viewing conditions. Manufacturing quality is exceptional, alignment is near-perfect, and visual presentation is flawless across both the front and back of the card.
Visually flawless under normal viewing conditions.
A Gem Mint card displays no significant defects under normal viewing conditions. Corners are sharp, edges are clean, centering is excellent, and surface quality remains exceptionally high. Minor microscopic imperfections may exist but do not affect the card's visual presentation, overall condition, or collectability.
Exceptional condition with only minor observable defects.
A Mint card presents exceptionally well and displays only minor observable defects upon close inspection. Small amounts of whitening, minor surface imperfections, slight centering variance, or minor manufacturing defects may be present while the overall visual presentation remains outstanding.
Minor to moderate observable defects with strong overall presentation.
A Near Mint / Mint card displays moderate imperfections that become visible upon inspection but retains strong overall presentation. Minor whitening, light scratching, print lines, modest surface wear, or moderate centering variance may be present.
Noticeable defects while maintaining good overall presentation.
A Near Mint card displays noticeable defects that are visible during normal inspection. Surface wear, edge wear, corner wear, manufacturing defects, or moderate whitening may be present, while the card remains structurally sound and collectible.
Moderate wear with clear evidence of handling or storage.
An Excellent / Near Mint card displays moderate wear across one or more grading categories. Observable surface defects, edge wear, corner wear, whitening, or staining may be present. Visual presentation remains acceptable, although signs of use are clearly visible.
Visible wear throughout with multiple observable defects.
An Excellent card displays obvious signs of wear across the card. Surface defects, scratches, whitening, edge wear, corner wear, minor creasing, or manufacturing defects may be present, while the card remains fully intact and structurally sound.
Significant wear and multiple visible defects.
A Very Good / Excellent card displays significant condition issues affecting overall presentation. Multiple defects may be visible across the surface, edges, corners, or centering. The card remains structurally intact but shows substantial signs of age, handling, or storage wear.
Heavy wear affecting both condition and presentation.
A Very Good card displays substantial wear and deterioration. Creasing, staining, discoloration, significant edge wear, corner wear, surface defects, or multiple condition issues may be present, and overall presentation is noticeably impacted.
Extensive wear and major condition issues.
A Good card displays extensive wear and significant defects throughout. Multiple creases, heavy staining, severe edge wear, substantial surface damage, discoloration, or other major condition issues may be present. Structural integrity may be affected.
Severe damage with major structural defects.
A Poor card exhibits extensive damage and severe condition issues. Heavy creasing, tears, missing material, warping, severe staining, substantial surface damage, or major structural defects may be present. Overall presentation and condition are significantly compromised.
Non-numerical outcomes
Some cards are genuine but are not assigned a standard numerical condition grade.
The card has been verified as authentic by GTG but has not been assigned a numerical condition grade. This designation may be used where authentication only has been requested or where a card falls outside the standard grading process.
The card has been verified as authentic but has undergone modification after leaving the manufacturer. Examples may include trimming, recolouring, pressing, ink application, surface modification, or other alterations. The card remains authentic but is not eligible for a standard numerical grade.
Centering
Centering is evaluated on both the front and back of the card using the tolerances below.