Grading
Understand the value of your Trading Cards — from condition and authenticity to professional grading. A journey from the Raw Card to a protected, graded collectible.
Collecting culture
What are Trading Cards?
Cards to play, trade and collect — with a community spanning decades.
Trading Cards are collectible cards featuring illustrations, stats or gameplay functions — often part of a larger game or series. Since the 1990s they have shaped a worldwide collecting culture around Pokémon, One Piece, Dragon Ball and many other universes.
People collect out of nostalgia, passion for the artwork, the thrill of rarity and the fun of community and play. Trading Cards are not only collectibles — depending on the card, an active secondary market exists to buy, sell and trade.
Note: a card's value can be influenced by several factors and is not guaranteed. Historical prices are not a reliable indicator of future performance.
Pokémon TCG
Boosters, set cards, promos and Illustration Rares.
One Piece Card Game
Leaders, characters and Alt-Arts from Bandai.
Dragon Ball Card Game
Leaders, Battle and Extra cards from the DB series.
Other collectibles
Sports Cards, Yu-Gi-Oh!, Magic and other TCGs.
Fascination
Why are Trading Cards so popular?
Nostalgia
Tied to childhood, series, games and personal memories.
Community
Collecting, trading, playing and events connect collectors worldwide.
Rarity
Limited or highly sought-after cards create strong demand.
Artwork
Illustrations and special designs are the core of many collections.
Competition
In TCGs, cards also carry gameplay value.
Collecting passion
Building sets, character and thematic collections over time.
Market
An active secondary market enables buying, selling and trading.
Valuation
What makes a card valuable?
Many factors together determine how desirable a card is on the market.
Condition is decisive
A card's condition can substantially influence its grading and market value. Two identical cards can be valued very differently if one is flawless Mint and the other shows whitening or scratches.
No guarantee of appreciation: market values fluctuate with supply, demand, rarity and taste.
Definition
What does Card Grading mean?
The professional assessment of a Trading Card's physical condition — and, depending on the provider, other criteria such as authenticity.
During grading, a card is examined, evaluated and then professionally protected — usually in a sealed case that preserves it from further damage and makes the grade visible.
Grading can help document condition comprehensibly, protect cards and present collections professionally. A standardized assessment gives buyers and sellers orientation.
Grading does not automatically increase financial value. It documents and protects — market value remains tied to supply, demand and other factors.
Document condition comprehensibly
Protect the card physically over time
Present the collection professionally
Build trust in trading
Represent condition in a standardized way
Benefits
Why do collectors grade their cards?
Protection
The card is protected physically over the long term.
Authenticity
Professional processes can distinguish originals from fakes — where included in the service.
Documentation
Condition is assessed and documented.
Presentation
A graded card can be presented with stronger impact.
Trust
A standardized assessment orients buyers and sellers.
Collection
Graded Cards offer a structured way to store special cards.
Process
From Raw Card to Graded Card
An example process — the exact flow may vary by grading house.
Select the card
Check the condition
Pre-Grading / pre-check
Prepare the submission
Send to the grading house
Examination and grading
Encapsulation / protection
Return of the graded card
The steps are general in nature. Acceptance criteria and turnaround times depend on the grading house.
Condition
What is checked in a card's condition?
The criteria behind a professional assessment — explained simply.
Centering
The centering of the image within the card border.
Corners
Corners for whitening, creases or wear.
Edges
Edges for damage and whitening.
Surface
Surface for scratches, dents and print defects.
Other visible flaws
Before grading
Check with the Pre-Grading AI
With the Nerd Vault Pre-Grading AI you can analyze your card before a submission and get a first estimate.
Start Pre-Grading AIUpload photo
AI analyzes
Estimate
VERTEX GRADING
Innovative Card Grading — Made in Italy
Vertex Grading is an innovative grading house from Italy. With a modern approach it combines professionalism, quality and passion for the protection and presentation of Trading Cards.
A professional grading process documents a card's condition comprehensibly, protects it over time and offers orientation to collectors and buyers. Vertex stands for an Italian tradition of craftsmanship, applied to the modern collecting universe of Trading Cards.
Made in Italy — careful examination, protection and presentation for special cards.
Submit your card to Vertex
Start your submission with the Vertex grading house — Made in Italy.
FAQ
Frequent questions about grading
Grading is not a guarantee of a specific market value. The market value of a Trading Card can change and depends, among other things, on demand, supply, condition, rarity and other factors.
Ready to Grade?
Have a card you want graded professionally? Start with a first estimate and prepare your submission.