CCA StandardsStandards
Our grading criteria represents the absolute benchmark for accuracy and integrity in the trading card hobby.
Centering
The alignment of the card's artwork relative to its borders.
Surface
Evaluation of scratches, print lines, indentations, and gloss.
Corners
Assessment of sharpness, whitening, and structural integrity.
Edges
Review of silvering, chipping, and factory-cut smoothness.
The Grading Scale
Precision definitions for every service outcome.
Gem Mint
A virtually perfect card. Attributes include four perfectly sharp corners, sharp focus and full original gloss. A CCA Gem Mint 10 card must be free of staining of any kind, but an allowance may be made for a slight printing imperfection, if it doesn't impair the overall appeal of the card. The image must be centered on the card within a tolerance not to exceed approximately 55/45 percent on the front, and 75/25 percent on the reverse.
Mint
A superb condition card that exhibits only one of the following minor flaws: a very slight wax stain on reverse, a minor printing imperfection or slightly off white borders. Centering must be approximately 60/40 or better on the front and 90/10 or better on the reverse.
Near Mint-Mint
A CCA NM-MT 8 is a super high-end card that appears Mint 9 at first glance, but upon closer inspection, the card can exhibit the following: a very slight wax stain on reverse, slightest fraying at one or two corners, a minor printing imperfection, and/or slightly off-white borders. Centering must be approximately 65/35 or better on the front and 90/10 or better on the reverse.
Near Mint
A CCA NM 7 is a card with just a slight surface wear visible upon close inspection. There may be slight fraying on some corners. Picture focus may be slightly out-of register. A minor printing blemish is acceptable. Slight wax staining is acceptable on the back of the card only. Most of the original gloss is retained. Centering must be approximately 70/30 or better on the front and 90/10 or better on the back.
EX-MT
A CCA EX-MT 6 card may have visible surface wear or a printing defect which does not detract from its overall appeal. A very light scratch may be detected only upon close inspection. Corners may have slightly graduated fraying. Picture focus may be slightly out-of-register. Card may show some loss of original gloss, may have minor wax stain on reverse, may exhibit very slight notching on edges and may also show some off-whiteness on borders. Centering must be 80/20 or better on the front and 90/10 or better on the reverse.
EX
On CCA 5 cards, very minor rounding of the corners is becoming evident. Surface wear or printing defects are more visible. There may be minor chipping on edges. Loss of original gloss will be more apparent. Focus of picture may be slightly out-of-register. Several light scratches may be visible upon close inspection, but do not detract from the appeal of the card. Card may show some off-whiteness of borders. Centering must be 85/15 or better on the front and 90/10 or better on the back.
VG-EX
A CCA 4 card's corners may be slightly rounded. Surface wear is noticeable but modest. The card may have light scuffing or light scratches. Some original gloss will be retained. Borders may be slightly off-white. A light crease may be visible. Centering must be 85/15 or better on the front and 90/10 or better on the back.
VG
A CCA 3 card reveals some rounding of the corners, though not extreme. Some surface wear will be apparent, along with possible light scuffing or light scratches. Focus may be somewhat off-register and edges may exhibit noticeable wear. Much, but not all, of the card's original gloss will be lost. Borders may be somewhat yellowed and/or discolored. A crease may be visible. Printing defects are possible. Slight stain may show on obverse and wax staining on reverse may be more prominent. Centering must be 90/10 or better on the front and back.
GOOD
A CCA 2 card's corners show accelerated rounding and surface wear is starting to become obvious. A good card may have scratching, scuffing, light staining, or chipping of enamel on obverse. There may be several creases. Original gloss may be completely absent. Card may show considerable discoloration. Centering must be 90/10 or better on the front and back.
PR
A CCA 1 card will exhibit extreme defects. A Poor card may be missing one or two small pieces, exhibit major creasing that nearly breaks through all the layers of cardboard or it may contain extreme discoloration or dirtiness throughout that may make it difficult to identify the content of the card on either the front or back. A card of this nature may also show noticeable warping or another type of destructive defect.
Original Authentic
This means that CCA is only certifying that the item is genuine, without a numerical grade. This may be due to the existence of an alteration, a major defect, or the original submitter may have requested encapsulation without a grade. The 'Authentic' label means that the item, in our opinion, is real but nothing more. You will be charged the applicable grading fee in this instance.
Altered Authentic
This means that while CCA is certifying that the item is genuine, due to the existence of alterations, the item cannot receive a numerical grade. The term altered may mean that the card shows evidence of trimming, recoloring, restoration, and/or cleaning. Items receiving the 'Authentic Altered' designation are genuine with the presence of some type of alteration. You will be charged the applicable grading fee in this instance.
Qualifiers
Specific conditions that may affect the technical grade.
Marks
Cards with writing, ink marks, pencil marks, or evidence of impressions from the act of writing.
Miscut
Cards exhibiting atypical cuts, resulting in portions of the subject card being cut off or more than one card being visible.
Off Center
Cards where the centering exceeds the minimum standard for the grade. Graders reserve the right to apply this based on overall eye appeal.
Staining
Cards with visible staining that exceeds the allowance for the assigned numerical grade.
Print Defect
Cards with significant printing defects like snow, print lines, or fisheyes.
Out of Focus
Cards where the image focus or registration is noticeably blurred or doubled.
THE ART OF
EYE APPEALEYE APPEAL
While grading is largely objective, the subjective element of "Eye Appeal" is what truly defines the most valuable cards in the hobby. What will the market accept for a particular issue?
CCA graders reserve the right, based on the strength or weakness of eye appeal, to make a final judgment call. A card with slightly imperfect centering might still achieve an unqualified grade if its color, focus, and corners are extraordinary.
Centering Note
"At the grader's sole discretion, a small variance may be permitted on occasion based on the card’s overall eye appeal. Consistency is key, but excellence is undeniable."
No Grade Definitions
Understanding why a card might be returned without a numerical grade.
Evidence of Trimming
Edges appear altered using scissors, scalpels, or other sharp instruments. May qualify for Altered Authentic.
Evidence of Restoration
Paper stock has been built up (e.g., repairing corners). May qualify for Altered Authentic.
Evidence of Recoloration
Color has been artificially improved. May qualify for Altered Authentic.
Questionable Authenticity
Item appears counterfeit or autograph is not genuine. Does not qualify for encapsulation.
Altered Stock
Pressed creases, scratch removal, or enhanced gloss. May qualify for Altered Authentic.
Minimum Size
Significantly undersized according to factory specs. No fee charged unless Authentic is requested.
Evidence of Cleaning
Use of whiteners or solutions to remove stains. May qualify for Altered Authentic.
Miscut (Major)
Factory cut is so abnormal it deviates from intended appearance. No fee charged unless Authentic is requested.
Don't Grade
Issue cannot be encapsulated (e.g., oversized or obscure). No fee charged.
Hand-Cut Cards
We grade cards removed from panels or boxes (Bazooka, Hostess, Strip cards, etc.). To receive a grade, visible borders must be present. If the cut exceeds the border or is severely undersized, it will be labeled as "Authentic" only.
Ungradable Items
CCA will not grade cards that bear evidence of trimming, re-coloring, restoration, tampering, or are of questionable authenticity. If a card is deemed ungradable, applicable fees still apply.