4-SCORE DETAIL.
NO MORE CONFUSION.
4-SCORE DETAIL.
NO MORE CONFUSION.
NO MORE CONFUSION.
THE 'VA' 4-SCORES
We use a 4-Score grading process for standardized, easy to understand grading. No more wondering "why."
CENTERING
Centering is determined by comparing the measurements of the borders from left to right and top to bottom. The centering is designated as the percent of difference at the most off-center part of the card. A 5% leeway is given to the front centering minimum standards for cards which grade NM7 or better. This is the highest of factors that goes into VAULT 'VA' grades for any card.
CORNERS
Corner evaluation is determined by the quality of each corner as it relates to the year make model of each card. Corners that exhibit perfect sharpness without rounding, fraying, splitting, or any other form of minor to major deterioration typically receive high scores in this grade. This is one of the highest weighted attributes of any given card as it relates to the overall VAULT 'VA' grade.
EDGES
Edges are a highly important piece to every 'VA' card grade. High scores in this department typical exhibit perfect sharpness, free from any nicks, cuts, splits, chipping, fraying, or bubbles, and weighs high on the VAULT 'VA' grade for each card.
SURFACE
Surface is a very important factor in establishing card grade quality. High grading cards typical display high quality attributes for surface, free from any dings, scratches, nicks, cuts, blemishes, spots, marks, fading, and peeling. Surface grades weigh highly on the VAULT 'VA' grade for each card.
GRADING STANDARDS
VAULT Authentics' grading standards provide a clear and straight forward approach to card grading service. Our process and '4-Score' visibility provide uniform transparency across services compared to other major competitors. We actually want you to know your '4-Scores.'
GEM MT 10
A Gem Mint 10 card is virtually free from any physical defects. Attributes include four perfectly sharp corners, sharp focus, full original gloss. A Gem Mint 10 card must be free of staining of any kind, but an allowance may be made for a slight printing imperfection, if it doesn’t impair the overall appeal of the card. The image must be centered on the card within a tolerance not to exceed approximately 55/45 to 60/40 percent on the front, and 75/25 percent on the reverse.
MINT+ 9.5
Mint + 9.5 appears to exhibit all the attributes of a Gem Mint 10 card but upon closer examination will exhibit one of the following the most minimal of minor flaws: a very slight wax stain on reverse, a minor printing imperfection or slightly off-white borders. Centering must be approximately 60/40 to 65/35 or better on the front and 90/10 or better on the reverse. Plus scores are slightly in between grades.
MINT 9
Mint 9 appears to exhibit all the attributes of a Gem Mint 10 card but upon closer examination will exhibit one of the following minor flaws: a very slight wax stain on reverse, a minor printing imperfection or slightly off-white borders. Centering must be approximately 60/40 to 65/35 or better on the front and 90/10 or better on the reverse.
NM-MT+ 8.5
Near Mint to Mint + 8.5 cards appear Mint 9 at first glance. But upon closer inspection, the card can exhibit the following: A very slight wax stain on reverse, slightest fraying at one or two corners, a minor printing imperfection, and/or slightly off-white borders. Centering must be approximately 65/35 to 70/30 or better on the front and 90/10 or better on the reverse. Plus grades are slightly in between grades.
NM-MT 8
Near Mint to Mint 8 cards appear Mint 9 at first glance. But upon closer inspection, the card can exhibit the following: A very slight wax stain on reverse, slightest fraying at one or two corners, a minor printing imperfection, and/or slightly off-white borders. Centering must be approximately 65/35 to 70/30 or better on the front and 90/10 or better on the reverse.
NM+ 7.5
Near Mint+ 7.5 show slight surface wear is visible upon close inspection. There may be slight fraying on some corners. Picture focus may be slightly out-of-register. A minor printing blemish is acceptable. Slight wax staining is acceptable on the back of the card only. Most of the original gloss is retained. Centering must be approximately 70/30 to 75/25 or better on the front and 90/10 or better on the back. Plus grades are slightly in between grades.
NM 7
Near Mint 7 show slight surface wear is visible upon close inspection. There may be slight fraying on some corners. Picture focus may be slightly out-of-register. A minor printing blemish is acceptable. Slight wax staining is acceptable on the back of the card only. Most of the original gloss is retained. Centering must be approximately 70/30 to 75/25 or better on the front and 90/10 or better on the back. Plus grades are slightly in between grades.
EX-MT+ 6.5
Excellent to Near Mint + 6.5 cards may have visible surface wear or a printing defect which does not detract from its overall appeal. A very light scratch may be detected only upon close inspection. Corners may have slightly graduated fraying. Picture focus may be slightly out-of-register. Card may show some loss of original gloss, may have minor wax stain on reverse, may exhibit very slight notching on edges and may also show some off-whiteness on borders. Centering must be 80/20 or better on the front and 90/10 or better on the reverse. Plus grades are slightly in between grades.
EX-MT 6
Excellent to Near Mint 6 cards may have visible surface wear or a printing defect which does not detract from its overall appeal. A very light scratch may be detected only upon close inspection. Corners may have slightly graduated fraying. Picture focus may be slightly out-of-register. Card may show some loss of original gloss, may have minor wax stain on reverse, may exhibit very slight notching on edges and may also show some off-whiteness on borders. Centering must be 80/20 or better on the front and 90/10 or better on the reverse.
EX+ 5.5
Excellent + 5.5 cards show very minor rounding of corners is becoming evident. Surface wear or printing defects are more visible. There may be minor chipping on edges. Loss of original gloss will be more apparent. Focus of picture may be slightly out-of-register. Several light scratches may be visible upon close inspection, but do not detract from the appeal of the card. Card may show some off-whiteness of borders. Centering must be 85/15 or better on the front and 90/10 or better on the back. Plus grades are slightly in between grades.
EX 5
Excellent 5 cards show very minor rounding of corners is becoming evident. Surface wear or printing defects are more visible. There may be minor chipping on edges. Loss of original gloss will be more apparent. Focus of picture may be slightly out-of-register. Several light scratches may be visible upon close inspection, but do not detract from the appeal of the card. Card may show some off-whiteness of borders. Centering must be 85/15 or better on the front and 90/10 or better on the back.
VG-EX+ 4.5
Very Good to Excellent + 4.5 Corners may be slightly rounded. Surface wear is noticeable but modest. May have light scuffing or light scratches. Some original gloss will be retained. Borders may be slightly off-white. A light crease may be visible. Centering must be 85/15 or better on the front and 90/10 or better on the back. Plus grades are slightly in between grades.
VG-EX 4
Very Good to Excellent 4 show corners may be slightly rounded. Surface wear is noticeable but modest. May have light scuffing or light scratches. Some original gloss will be retained. Borders may be slightly off-white. A light crease may be visible. Centering must be 85/15 or better on the front and 90/10 or better on the back.
VG+ 3.5
Very Good + 3.5 show rounding of corners are evident, though not extreme. Some surface wear will be apparent, along with possible light scuffing or light scratches. Focus may be somewhat off-register and edges may exhibit noticeable wear. Much, but not all, of the card’s original gloss will be lost. Borders may be somewhat yellowed and/or discolored. A crease may be visible. Printing defects are possible. Slight stain may show on obverse and wax staining on reverse may be more prominent. Centering must be 90/10 or better on the front and back. Plus grades are slightly in between grades.
VG 3
Very Good 3 show rounding of corners are evident, though not extreme. Some surface wear will be apparent, along with possible light scuffing or light scratches. Focus may be somewhat off-register and edges may exhibit noticeable wear. Much, but not all, of the card’s original gloss will be lost. Borders may be somewhat yellowed and/or discolored. A crease may be visible. Printing defects are possible. Slight stain may show on obverse and wax staining on reverse may be more prominent. Centering must be 90/10 or better on the front and back.
GOOD+ 2.5
Good + 2.5 have corners that show accelerated rounding and surface wear is starting to become obvious. A good card may have scratching, scuffing, light staining, or chipping of enamel on obverse. There may be several creases. Original gloss may be completely absent. Card may show considerable discoloration. Centering must be 90/10 or better on the front and back. Plus grades are slightly in between grades.
GOOD 2
Good 2 cards have corners that show accelerated rounding and surface wear is starting to become obvious. A good card may have scratching, scuffing, light staining, or chipping of enamel on obverse. There may be several creases. Original gloss may be completely absent. Card may show considerable discoloration. Centering must be 90/10 or better on the front and back.
PR-FR 1
Poor to Fair 1 cards have corners showing extreme wear, possibly affecting framing of picture. Surface of card will show advanced stages of wear, including scuffing, scratching, pitting, chipping and staining. Picture will possibly be quite out-of-register and borders may have become brown and dirty. May have one or more heavy creases. A Poor card may be missing one or more small pieces, have major creasing and extreme discoloration or dirtiness throughout. Card may show noticeable warping. Centering must be 90/10 or better on the front and back.
QUALIFIER FLAWS
In addition to a numerical grade, some VA graded cards also carry a Qualifiers to identify specific characteristics of the card. The following is a description of the six VA qualifiers, 2 of which are required, and 4 that are optional.
OC
Cards that are off center will either by designated “OC” or will have a numerical grade that reflects the minimum centering allowed for the grade.
ST
Cards with staining will either by designated “ST” or will have a numerical grade that reflects the minimum staining allowed for the grade.
PD
Cards with printing defects will either be designated "PD” or will have a numerical grade that reflects the minimum print defects allowed for the grade.
OF
Cards that are out of focus or out of register with either be designated "OF” or will have a numerical grade that reflects the minimum focus standards allowed for the grade.
MK
Any and all marks on cards with writing, ink marks, pencil marks, etc. or evidence of the impression left from the act of writing will be designated "MK."
MC
Any and all cards that exhibit a miscut or an atypical cut for the issue, which may result in portions of the subject card being cut off or more than one card being visible, will be designated "MC."
HALF POINT (+) GRADES
Cards that exhibit high-end qualities within each particular grade, between VA Good 2 and VA Mint 9, may achieve a half-point increase. While VA graders will evaluate all of the attributes possessed by a card in order to determine if the card may be eligible, there will be a clear focus on centering.
