Degree is built to reward true quality, preserve the meaning of elite grades, and show collectors exactly what separates a strong card from an exceptional one.
We keep the top of the scale tight so exceptional cards stand apart from very good ones.
Surface, corners/edges, centering, and structure all work together to create a clear result.
Our goal is a grading experience that feels fair, informative, and trustworthy over time.
We believe a premium grade should feel earned. By holding firm on surface quality, corners and edges, centering, and structural integrity, we protect the meaning of Degree 9, Degree 10, and Degree 11 — especially on modern cards where tiny differences matter.
Our highest grades are intentionally more selective so standout cards remain truly standout. We would rather protect the meaning of a top grade than overuse it.
Modern cards can come clean out of the pack and still vary in centering, print quality, gloss, edges, and surface. Our scale is built to separate nice cards from exceptional ones.
A tighter top end gives each grade more meaning and helps collectors understand what a premium result really represents before they ever submit.
Not every flaw carries the same visual weight. Eye appeal is the overall presentation of a card at first glance — how clean it looks, how balanced it feels, and how well defects stay out of the spotlight.
At Degree, eye appeal is not a hidden fourth subgrade. It is the real-world result of surface, corners/edges, centering, and structural integrity working together. A sharp card with clean gloss, balanced borders, and minimal distraction should look the part of a premium grade.
A card can be technically solid but lose visual impact if the centering pulls hard to one side, gloss is broken by a print line, or a flaw sits near the focal point. We grade consistently, but always with collector presentation in mind.
Eye appeal helps explain presentation, not hide the process. The grade still comes from the categories shown below, so collectors can understand the result instead of guessing at it.
A tighter top end gives each result clearer meaning and helps set better expectations before you submit.
Clean overall presentation with moderate imperfections that do not overwhelm the card.
High-end presentation with limited flaws, strong balance, and clear collector appeal.
A standout example with elite presentation and very limited room for improvement.
Reserved for the rare cards that clear an extremely selective bar across the board.
You can earn 0 to 3 points from each category:
Each category moves on a sliding scale based on condition. This ranges from 100% (Flawless) to 0% (Destroyed), with a structural adjustment for creases or dents.
100%
+3 Points
37%
+1 Point
The sum total of your subgrades equals the final grade of the card:
Use the calculator below to get a feel for our grading scale.
Perfect to near-flawless surface; no scratches, stains, fading, production defects, indentations, or print lines that materially impact eye appeal.
Minimal to moderate surface damage, scratches, stains, fading, production defects, or print lines.
Moderate to heavy surface damage, scratches, stains, fading, production defects, or print lines.
Heavy to severe surface damage, scratches, stains, fading, production defects, or print lines.
Perfect to near-flawless corners & edges; crisp sharp corners free of dings or cutting defects. Edges must be free from any cutting defects, whitening, or fraying.
Minimal to moderate corner/edge whitening, fraying, dings, defects, etc.
Moderate to heavy corner/edge whitening, fraying, dings, defects, etc.
Heavy to severe corner/edge whitening, fraying, dings, defects, etc.
50/50 to 53/47 centering (both front & back have to be within this margin).
54/46 to 65/35 centering (both front & back have to be within this margin).
66/34 to 85/15 centering (both front & back have to be within this margin).
86/14 to 100/0 centering (both front & back have to be within this margin).
A card free of creases or dents will earn an extra point.
A card with a crease or dent that materially impacts structure or presentation will lose 4 points.
Use the calculator, review the category breakdown, and get familiar with a grading scale designed to keep premium grades meaningful.
Try the Calculator