eBay card condition guidelines (2024)

Near Mint or Better

Cards in Near Mint condition are equivalent to a fresh pack. They only have slight imperfections such as 1–⁠3 rounding or soft corners and slightly rough edges. Any damage aside from this would automatically lower the card’s condition.

Signs of wear:
1. Corner wear

Excellent

Excellent condition cards have clearly visible signs of wear. These cards have rough edges, moderate chipping, minor discoloration, minor indentation, fuzzy corners, or noticeable scratches.

Signs of wear:
1. Minor surface scuffing
2. Edge chipping
3. Fuzzy corners

Very Good

Very Good condition cards show moderate-to-heavy damage all over the card. These cards have a moderate amount of discoloration, chipping, indentation, creases, or scratches. There may also be a slight paper loss.

Signs of wear:
1. Moderate discoloration
2. Creasing
3. Edge chipping
4. Rounding and soft corners

Poor

A card in Poor condition is extremely worn or missing corners. These cards display flaws like torn edges, extreme discoloration, multiple major scratches, multiple creases, or stains.

Signs of wear:
1. Heavily worn and rounded corners
2. Major crease
3. Moderate discoloration
4. Border wear

Near Mint or Better

Near Mint condition cards display minimal or no wear or damage. They appear “fresh out of the pack.” Other than minor chipping, indentation, or scratches, the card shows no moderate or major signs of damage. These cards may be “never played” cards or cards that have been played with sleeves.

Lightly Played (Excellent)

Cards in Lightly Played condition can have moderate chipping, indentation, or scratches. Lightly Played cards do not look heavily tampered with and are legal for play in a sleeved deck.

Signs of wear:
1. Slight edge wear
2. Slight corner wear

Moderately Played (VeryGood)

Moderately Played cards have discernible flaws such as major chipping around the edges and corners. They have moderate discoloration, indentation, creases, scratches, or stains. However, there is no liquid damage on Moderately Played cards.

Signs of wear:
1. Creasing
2. Layering

Heavily Played (Poor)

Heavily Played cards show a massive amount of wear and damage. Corners and edges may be rounded, chipped, fuzzy, or missing altogether. These cards have major discoloration, indentation, scratches, or stains. They also have multiple major creases or wrinkles. However, Heavily Played cards should have less than 30% liquid damage.

Signs of wear:
1. Edge chipping
2. Creasing
3. Scratches/scuffing
4. Corner chipping

Damaged

Damaged cards show flaws such as heavily worn and torn edges and corners, tearing, major discoloration and/or whitening, and liquid damage. Other obvious flaws include layering, notching, creasing, and scratches that compromise the structural integrity of the card. Damaged cards may be illegal to play in tournaments.

Hover over image for a closer look.

1. Border wear
2. Major discoloration
3. Major scuffing
4. Heavily worn and rounded corners