Explainer
Graded cards, explained
What professional grading is, how the 1 to 10 scale works, and why GenZ only stocks graded cards.
A graded card has been examined by an independent company that checks it is genuine, scores its condition, and seals it in a tamper-evident holder with a label and a certificate number. The label is what turns a piece of cardboard into a known quantity.
The scale
| Grade | Usually called | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| 10 | Gem mint / pristine | Virtually perfect centering, corners, edges and surface. |
| 9.5 | Gem mint | A single very minor flaw under magnification. |
| 9 | Mint | One or two small flaws, still exceptional. |
| 8 | Near mint-mint | Light wear visible on close inspection. |
| 7 and below | Near mint and lower | Increasingly visible wear. |
Graders use slightly different descriptors and half-points, so GenZ stores the grading company and the number separately and shows both, for example PSA 10 or BGS 9.5.
Why we only stock graded cards
- Authenticity is checked by a third party before the card ever enters our pool.
- Condition is a number, so a grade guarantee per pack is meaningful.
- Market value is easy to reference, which is what makes an instant buyback rate honest.
- The holder protects the card in transit when you choose to ship.
GenZ is not affiliated with any grading company. Grader names appear only to identify a card's certification.