Submissions Process

First, before making any grading or purchase, email us clear and legible pictures of the front and back of each card you want to submit for grading and send to info@protradingcardgrading.com.
We will review and email back to confirm acceptance of the cards you want to submit for grading.
We want to review the cards to make sure that we know what is getting submitted, an idea on the cards/value for insurance purposes and also to confirm that cards are standard size or, if the cards are older cards, the condition of them (are they fragile, need special handling etc.). In some instances we may not accept the cards, or we may require an additional waiver.
We also use this as a check so that when we receive the cards, we compare them to the pics of what was submitted for acceptance so we can make sure they match (unfortunately we need to watch out for scammers etc). If the cards do not match, then we will not grade them and send them back ungraded. No fee will be refunded for the grading service in this case as the card will need to be shipped back.
Once acceptance is confirmed, go onto the site and purchase from the “shop” the “trading card grading and encapsulation option “$15.00” (quantity is per card being submitted that was accepted for grading)
Package up the card in a top loader and in a box/packaging with enough insulation/protection to make sure the card is protected during shipping. A small box is preferred. Ship it to the below address and make sure you have insurance on the package for the estimated value of your “card(s)” being submitted along with “signature required”. Ship and I’ll then pick up at the post office. (If for some reason the card is not received or lost or damaged during shipping to me, you’ll need to file a claim with the shipper for the insurance/value lost. USPS shipping is preferred. The post office will hold the package for me there to sign and pick up.
Address will be (DBA) Pro Trading Card Grading, PO Box 566, Kunkletown, PA, 18058
Once received, we will then grade and when completed post on the card lookup site and then ship back to you insured and with signature required via USPS.

Perfect 10

A Pristine 10 is a flawless card to the naked eye. The centering is 50/50, and the card has flawless color and registration. All subgrades are graded a 10.

Gem Mint 10

Gem Mint 10 is almost a pristine 10 but the centering is 55/45 and the difference is one of 4 subgrades is a 9.5 with the other 3 being 10 (average subgrade >9.75).

Near Gem Mint + 9.5

Card has great eye appeal, but has one or 2 very minor flaws only seen under magnification. Qualities such as exceptional centering (55/45), surface qualities/color or other key elements can elevate a card to a Mint+ 9.5 grade. Subgrades for a Near Gem Mint + are the average of the 4 subgrades being >= 9.5 and <= 9.75.

Mint 9.0

Has four sharp corners with only minor wear visible. Slight minor flaws on the edges may be visible. The surface must have all original gloss; however, a small number of specks or one minor spot or surface defect is allowed. For TCG cards, cards will have only a few minor manufacturing or handling defects. Centering must be 60/40 or better for the front of the card, and 80/20 for the back. Subgrades for a Mint + are the average of the 4 subgrades being between >= 9.0 and < 9.5.

Near Mint + 8.5

Has relatively smooth edges with only minor touches of wear. It must have original color borders and gloss. One of the following very minor flaws is allowed: corners are sharp to the naked eye but reveal slight imperfections under magnification; a small amount of minor print spots; subtle focus imperfections of the image or a slight diamond cut is seen. Subgrades for a Near Mint + are the average of the 4 subgrades being between >= 8.5 and < 9.0.

Superb 8.0

Must have relatively smooth edges with only minor touches of wear. It must have original color borders and gloss. One of the following very minor flaws is allowed: corners are sharp to the naked eye but reveal slight imperfections under magnification; a small amount of minor print spots; subtle focus imperfections of the image or a slight diamond cut is se. Front centering must be 65/35. Subgrades for a Near Mint are the average of the 4 subgrades being between >= 8.0 and < 8.5.

Near Superb + 7.5

Card may have a touch of wear on two or three corners or slightly rough edges. The image may be slightly out of register. A slight diamond cut may be seen, and very slight wax staining may be on the reverse side of the card. 65/35 centering is allowed. Subgrades for a Mint + are the average of the 4 subgrades being between >= 7.5 and < 8.0.

Excellent 7.0

Card may have a touch of wear on three or more corners and/or slightly rough edges. The image may be slightly out of register. A slight diamond cut may be seen along with very slight wax staining on the reverse. Centering should be 70/30 or better. Subgrades for a Mint are the average of the 4 subgrades being between >= 7.0 and < 7.5.

Near Excellent + 6.5

No more than one slightly “dinged” corner is allowed, or no more than two of the following flaws: two or three fuzzy corners; slightly rough edges; noticeable print spots. A moderate diamond cut, and light wax staining on the front may be seen. Subgrades for an Excellent + are the average of the 4 subgrades being between >= 6.5 and < 7.0.

Very Good 6.0

No more than one “dinged” corner is allowed or no more than two of the following flaws: two or three fuzzy corners; slightly rough edges; noticeable print spots. A moderate diamond cut is allowed, and wax staining on the front is acceptable. Centering may be no worse than 75/25. Subgrades for an Excellent are the average of the 4 subgrades being between >= 6.0 and < 6.5.

Near Very Good + 5.5

Corners may exhibit light “fuzzyness” and very minor rounding. The corners may come to a point but may have one or two “dinged” corners. There may also be chipping on the edges, minor border discoloration, noticeable print spots and/or color or focus imperfections on the surface. Subgrades for a Very Good + are the average of the 4 subgrades being between >= 5.5 and < 6.0.

Good 5.0

Corners may exhibit “fuzzyness” and very minor rounding. The corners may have two to three “dinged” corners. There may also be chipping on the edges, minor border discoloration, noticeable print spots and/or color or focus imperfections on the surface. On cards with scratch-off surfaces, the coating may be removed, but the surface is not damaged. Subgrades for a Very Good are the average of the 4 subgrades being between >= 5.0 and < 5.5.

Near Good + 4.5

Corners may display slight rounding. Noticeable surface flaws may include scuffing, scratches or one light crease. Some original surface gloss may be visible. The borders may be off-white, and a small amount of minor staining is allowed. The centering is 85/15, and an extremely noticeable diamond cut may be seen. Subgrades for a Good + are the average of the 4 subgrades being between >= 4.5 and < 5.0.

Average 4.0

Corners may display slight rounding. Noticeable surface flaws may include scuffing, scratches and one or more light creases. While some original surface gloss may be visible, borders may be off-white, and some minor staining is allowed. An extremely noticeable diamond cut may be seen. Subgrades for a Good are the average of the 4 subgrades being between >= 4.0 and < 4.5.

Near Average + 3.5

Card may have 90/10 centering and four rounded corners, but not extreme rounding. The surface may exhibit one moderate crease or more than one light crease, and may also display scuffing or scratches and loss of original gloss. The edges may have moderate wear, and moderate staining of the stock can be visible. Subgrades for an Average + are the average of the 4 subgrades being between >= 3.5 and < 4.0.

Fair 3.0

Card can have four rounded corners, but not extreme rounding. The surface may exhibit one moderate crease or more than one light crease, and may also display scuffing or scratches and loss of original gloss. The edges may have moderate wear, and heavier staining of the stock can be visible on both the front and back of the card. Subgrades for an Average are the average of the 4 subgrades being between >= 3.0 and < 3.5.

Near Fair + 2.5

May have heavier creasing, but the creasing does not travel across the surface from edge to edge. The card may also have some surface damage such as one small writing mark on the back. An extremely heavy diamond cut resulting in a near miscut is present. Subgrades for a Fair + are the average of the 4 subgrades being between >= 2.5 and < 3.0.

Poor 2.0

Can have heavier creasing that may travel across the surface of the card from edge to edge. The card may also have some surface damage such as a small amount of writing on the front or back. An extremely heavy diamond cut resulting in a near miscut is present. Subgrades for a Fair are the average of the 4 subgrades being between >= 2.0 and < 2.5.

Near Poor + 1.5

Card can have one catastrophic flaw such as a staple hole, small area of missing surface, severe creasing and/or writing on the surface. The card may be miscut. Subgrades for an Poor + are the average of the 4 subgrades being between >= 1.5 and < 2.0.

Distressed 1.0

Card may suffer from major surface damage such as severe creasing that breaks the surface, and/or it may be missing a small portion of the cardstock itself such as a portion of the corner that has been torn away from the card. The card will have multiple catastrophic flaws. Subgrades for a Poor are the average of the 4 subgrades being between >= 1.0 and < 1.5.

Autograph Cards

Cards may have on card or sticker autographs applied. We will only authenticate retail cards where the card manufacturer has provided the autograph and not any "aftermarket" "hand autographs" which may be done on the card. Hand autographed cards are not accepted and graded at this time and only retail autograph cards will be accepted and deemed authentic.

Authentic

A card will be deemed Authentic if the card is a retail card with an on-card signature or tape signature affixed to the card provided by the manufacturer.

Altered Authentic

A card will be deemed Altered Authentic if the card is a retail card with an on-card signature or tape signature affixed to the card, and the signature is altered or modified in any way.

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