Raw Pokemon Card Conditions

Near Mint is the gold standard for raw cards. An NM card looks like it could have come directly from a pack. Corners remain sharp with no visible rounding. Edges show no whitening or chipping. The surface is free from scratches, scuffs, and print defects. The card lies flat without warping or bowing. Holographic cards retain their full luster without haze or scratching.

• —Corners sharp to the naked eye
• —Edges clean without whitening
• —Surface scratch-free and glossy
• —No bends, creases, or warping

NM is the default listing condition on TCGPlayer. When a seller lists a card without specifying condition, buyers expect NM. Sellers who consistently ship LP cards as NM damage their reputation and face returns.

The line between NM and LP is often debated. Some sellers are strict, reserving NM only for pack-fresh cards. Others include light handling that doesn't affect playability. When in doubt, condition your cards conservatively—an LP card listed as LP will satisfy buyers, while an NM listing that arrives as LP creates disputes.

Lightly Played cards show evidence of handling but remain in good overall condition. They've been shuffled, sleeved, or stored without perfect care, but the wear doesn't significantly detract from the card's appearance. LP cards are the sweet spot for budget collectors—you get a presentable card at a meaningful discount.

• —Slight corner softness or minor whitening
• —Light edge wear on one or more sides
• —Minor surface scratches visible at angle
• —Possible light print imperfections

LP cards typically sell for 70-90% of NM price. For chase cards where NM commands a premium, LP offers excellent value. A $100 NM card at $75 LP saves money while remaining displayable.

Many grading candidates come from the LP tier. A card that's LP due to centering might still grade PSA 9 or higher. LP due to surface scratching likely won't. Learning to identify why a card is LP helps predict grading outcomes.

Moderately Played cards show obvious wear that's immediately visible. These cards have been played without sleeves, stored poorly, or handled extensively. The wear noticeably detracts from the card's appearance but doesn't affect structural integrity.

• —Noticeable corner rounding
• —Visible edge whitening on multiple sides
• —Surface scratches easily seen
• —Minor creases or dents possible

MP cards serve budget collectors and players who need functional copies. A player running four copies of an expensive staple might run two NM and two MP to save money while maintaining a playable deck.

MP cards rarely make sense for grading unless extremely valuable. The wear that qualifies a card as MP typically results in grades of PSA 5-7, which often sell for less than raw NM copies. However, vintage cards where even damaged copies hold value can be exceptions.

Heavily Played cards tell a story. They've been loved, used, and worn down through years of play. The damage is significant and immediately apparent—these cards won't fool anyone into thinking they're anything other than heavily used.

• —Heavy corner wear with significant rounding
• —Major edge whitening or small chips
• —Multiple surface scratches or scuffs
• —Creases that affect the card surface

HP cards are for players on extreme budgets or collectors filling holes in sets where condition matters less than completion. The massive discount (60-80% off NM) makes expensive cards accessible.

HP cards have legitimate uses. Competitive players might use HP copies of expensive staples in testing or casual play. Collectors might accept HP for cards worth hundreds in NM—a HP 1st Edition Charizard still displays the artwork and holds significant value.

Damaged cards have catastrophic flaws that compromise the card's structural integrity or severely impact appearance. These aren't just worn—they're fundamentally compromised. Water damage, major tears, heavy creasing, writing, or missing pieces qualify cards as damaged.

• —Major structural damage (tears, holes)
• —Heavy creases affecting card surface
• —Water damage or staining
• —Writing, stamps, or applied marks

Damaged cards retain value only for rare or vintage cards where any copy holds worth. A Damaged Base Set Charizard still commands hundreds of dollars. A Damaged modern bulk rare is functionally worthless.

Some damaged cards can't be sold on major platforms—cards with writing or applied stickers may violate listing policies. Always photograph damage extensively when selling damaged cards to avoid disputes.