Understanding a card’s grade
A grade describes condition. It does not set a price.
Lore&Vault · 01/10/2026
Read the full reference
Match the card number, language, edition and variant before comparing grades. Then check the certificate number and holder photos.
A 10 is not a promise
PSA calls its grade 10 “Gem Mint”. Each grading company publishes its criteria: SGC 10 and PSA 10 are not automatically equivalent price references. A grade guarantees neither resale nor gains.
Our checkpoint
The dossier should connect the photo, certificate and actual offered example. A certified population is not the total number of cards in existence.