With respect to trading or cigarette/tobacco cards, the most important consideration affecting their value is their condition. It is important in card collecting to purchase the very best condition cards you can afford, since these increase in value more rapidly than mediocre condition cards. Most trade and cigarette/tobacco card collectors are natural perfectionists and strive for the highest graded cards possible.
If the cards are stuck down or are sub-standard in any way, this brings down their value considerably. Generally speaking, potential buyers are not interested if cards are sub-standard or stuck down even if they are in their special albums.
To this end, ALWAYSCOLLECTABLES uses the following Grading Scale, which was developed as a guideline for grading trading cards.
Definitions of Basic Card Grades
Mint: Card is exactly as originally issued, i.e. superb, pristine condition.
Near Mint: Card is a super high end card that appears Mint at first glance. The card will be clean and bright on the back and front, and the edges will be undamaged, perfectly straight and sharp. Card may have a very minor flaw, such as extremely minor fraying to one corner only, which would preclude the card from being graded in Mint condition.
Excellent: Card will have been handled but with no visible damage. The card may have slight surface wear or a minor printing defect which does not detract from its overall appeal. The card will be clean and bright on the back and front and be well centred. Edges will be undamaged, perfectly straight and sharp. At least two or more of the corners will be square.
Very Good: Card will have clean back and front and will be well centred. Good overall condition but may have a fault such as slight signs of surface wear, minor printer’s marks, slight damage along the edges or slightly rounded corners. No creases.
Good: Card will have one or two faults such as some soiling or a mark on the back or front, not be centred or have slightly damaged or blunt corners. A light crease may be visible.
Fair: Card will have at least one of the following defects: Creased, trimmed, stained, dirty or with mount damage to backs, possibly some picture surface missing and/or noticeably rounded corners which detract from its overall appeal.
Poor: Card will have one or more of the following defects: Badly creased or trimmed, torn, very dirty or with mount damage to backs, picture surface damage on back or front, severe wearing to the edges or extensively damaged corners.
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