📘 Galar Alerts guide · Updated 31 October 2026
Pokémon card condition guide: from Gem Mint to Played
When you buy, sell or grade a Pokémon card, its condition decides the price. Here’s what the common condition words mean, what to look for, and how they line up with graded numbers.
Quick answer: Gem Mint and Mint mean sharp corners, clean edges, a clean surface and good centering (PSA 10 and 9). Near Mint has a small flaw you see on a close look (around PSA 7–8). Excellent shows light wear (around PSA 5–6), and Played has obvious whitening, scratches or a crease (PSA 4 and below).
At a glance
| Status | Galar Alerts guide |
|---|---|
| Reported | Saturday, 31 October 2026 |
The condition scale
| Condition | What it looks like | Roughly PSA |
|---|---|---|
| Gem Mint | Virtually perfect: sharp, clean, well centred | 10 |
| Mint | One tiny flaw at most | 9 |
| Near Mint | A small flaw on a close look | 7–8 |
| Excellent | Light wear you can see: a little whitening | 5–6 |
| Played | Clear wear, scratches, maybe a crease | 4 and below |
Sellers’ words aren’t standard: one seller’s Near Mint is another’s Excellent. Graded numbers are the same everywhere.
What to look at
- Corners: white at the tips or rounding.
- Edges: white specks or chips along the cut, often on the back.
- Surface: scratches, scuffs, dents, print lines (tilt it under a lamp).
- Creases: any bend line, even a small one.
- Centering: how even the borders are.
Pokémon card condition with pictures
The quickest way to see your card’s condition is to photograph it up close. Our grader does that for you and marks every flaw on your own photos, numbered, so you can see exactly what it found.
🔔 Tap 📸 Grade my card free: the camera opens on your phone, no account needed.
📸 Grade my card freeCondition and grading
If your card looks Mint, it might be worth grading: see should I grade my Pokémon card? and how to grade Pokémon cards for free.
Reported by Galar Alerts. Photos: Galar Alerts.
Questions
What is Near Mint condition for Pokémon cards?
A card with a small flaw you only see on a close look, such as a tiny white speck on an edge. Roughly PSA 7–8.
What does Mint condition mean?
A card with at most one tiny flaw: sharp corners, clean edges and a clean surface. Roughly PSA 9.
What is Gem Mint?
Virtually perfect: PSA’s 10. Sharp corners, clean edges, clean surface and good centering.
How do I check my Pokémon card’s condition?
Look at the corners, edges and surface under a bright light, or use our free grader, which marks each flaw on your photos.
Does a crease ruin a Pokémon card?
It lowers the grade a long way: a creased card usually grades 4 or below at PSA.
Is a pack-fresh card always Mint?
No. Cards can come out of the pack with whitening, print lines or poor centering.
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