Card Grading

Card Grading

Elite Authentications provides independent grading and authentication of trading cards, offering collectors and investors the confidence they need in today’s growing collectibles market.

Our expert team use our proprietary, in-house developed AI grading technology which performs deep scans and comprehensive assessments of every card, delivering accurate, consistent, and non-subjective results. Unlike traditional human grading, our process is objective, repeatable, and free from individual interpretation.

Whether vintage or modern, each card is examined with the utmost care and impartiality, ensuring integrity and trust in every submission.

The Elite Authentications 6 Step Grading Process

Step 1

Intake & Documentation

Every card is securely logged, photographed, and assigned a unique tracking ID.

This ensures full transparency and traceability throughout the grading process.

Step 2

Card Authentication

Before grading, we confirm the card’s authenticity using a combination of proprietary references, known exemplars, and forensic tools.

This includes examining printing patterns, ink types, card stock composition, and identifying counterfeit or altered cards.

Step 3

Condition & Grading Assessment

Proprietary powerful AI software is used to perform a detailed and comprehensive scan of the card focussed on 4 key conditions areas:

Corners: Checked for sharpness, fraying, or bends.
Edges: Inspected for chipping, wear, or factory cuts.
Surface: Evaluated for scratches, print lines, dents, gloss, and stains.
Centering: Sacnned both front and back using digital AI for alignment and border consistency.

Step 4

AI Assigned Grade

Our AI software will assign a grade on a 1–10 scale based on a detailed and unbiased assessment of centering, edges, corners, and surface, in line with industry best practices. All assigned grades are person reviewed.

Step 5

Encapsulation

Encapsulation is the process of permanently sealing a collectible card within a tamper-proof, UV-protected case. It preserves the card’s condition, ensures authenticity, and enhances display and resale value.

Step 6

Final Review & Return

All graded cards undergo a final quality check before being carefully packaged and returned.

Elite Authentications Card Grading Scale

Grade 1

Poor

Heavily worn or damaged card with major flaws such as creases, stains, tears, rounded corners, or paper loss. Structurally compromised but may retain value if rare.

Grade 2

Fair

Card shows heavy wear with multiple creases, surface damage, or stains. Corners are noticeably rounded and edges may be frayed. Still intact but well below collectible condition.

Grade 3

Good

Noticeable wear including multiple creases, surface scuffing, and rounded corners. May have minor staining or slight discoloration. Card remains fully intact but clearly well-handled.

Grade 4

Very Good

Moderate wear with some surface loss, light creasing, and slightly rounded corners. Minor edge or corner fraying may be present. Still visually appealing but shows signs of consistent handling.

Grade 5

Very Good Plus

Light to moderate wear with minor surface marks, faint creases, or slight corner rounding. Still retains solid visual appeal and structure, showing better condition than a standard VG card.

Grade 6

Excellent

Minor wear visible, such as slight corner touches, light surface or edge wear. No major creases or defects. A well-preserved card with strong eye appeal and only modest signs of handling.

Grade 7

Excellent to Near Mint

Very minor wear on corners or edges, with strong centering and clean surfaces. Sharp overall appearance with only slight signs of handling, offering high visual appeal.

Grade 8

Near Mint

Nearly flawless card with sharp corners, clean edges, and excellent centering. May have one or two extremely minor imperfections. A high-end card with strong visual appeal.

Grade 9

Mint

Virtually flawless card with sharp corners, crisp edges, perfect or near-perfect centering, and a clean surface. Any imperfections are visible only under magnification. Outstanding.

Grade 10

Pristine

A flawless card with perfect centering, razor-sharp corners, spotless surface, and clean edges. No visible imperfections even under magnification. The highest standard of quality and presentation..

The Future Of Card Grading Is Here!

At Elite Authentications, we’re redefining card grading through the use of proprietary AI-powered technology. Our advanced grading process goes beyond traditional human-only assessment by performing a deep digital scan of each card, capturing amplified images and microscopic details across key features such as corners, edges, surface condition and print quality.

By combining advanced AI analysis with expert oversight, we aim to deliver a more consistent, objective and data-driven assessment. Unlike traditional grading, where opinions can vary between individual graders, our technology provides a repeatable evaluation of the card's condition, helping reduce subjectivity and deliver greater confidence in the final grade.

Precision. Consistency. Technology-driven authentication.

That’s the Elite Authentications difference.

What cards do we grade?

All sports and entertainment cards, Pokémon, Yu–Gi–Oh, Dragonball S, MTG, Final Fantasy, Digimon, Weiss Schwarz, Cardfight Vanguard.

Our Grading Slab

Our graded card Slab is a crystal-clear, high-durability case designed to both protect and showcase your collectible trading cards. Made from UV-resistant polycarbonate, the slab safeguards your card from harmful light exposure that can cause fading over time. Once graded, the card is sealed within the slab, ensuring it remains tamper-proof and secure.

Engineered for clarity, strength, and longevity, each slab features our label insert displaying the card’s grade, unique serial number, and authentication details. Ideal for display, storage, or resale, this slab preserves the integrity and value of your card for years to come.

Pre-Grade Assessment Service

Deciding whether to have your trading cards professionally graded can be a difficult decision. Is the card likely to achieve the grade you're hoping for? Will the grading fee be worthwhile?

At Elite Authentications, we understand those concerns. That's why we offer our Pre-Grade Assessment Service - designed to help you make a more informed decision before committing to a full grading submission.

Simply provide us with high-resolution scans of your card(s), and our proprietary AI grading software will perform an initial analysis, assessing key characteristics. Based on this assessment, we'll provide an estimated grading range, giving you an indication of how the card is likely to grade.

While a pre-grade assessment is not a guarantee of the final grade, it offers valuable insight into your card's condition and can help you determine whether submitting it for full grading is the right investment.

Grade with confidence - make an informed decision before you spend on a full grading service.

Pre-Grade Assessment Service:

$5.95 per card

Individual Card Grading Pricing

Within 60 day turnaround *

PLEASE NOTE

* Turnaround times quoted above are from the time we receive, and acknowledge receipt, of the items, they are not from when the form is submitted. They also exclude postal or courier delivery times both to and from Elite Authentications.

We do not grade the following cards:

Cards which have been intentionally altered so as to artificially adjust their cosmetic appeal.
Cards which we deem to be counterfeit (a $9.00 service fee will apply in assessing that the card was not authentic).
Cards which have been pressed, rebuilt or trimmed - all of which are easily detectable through our assessment tools and techniques.
We reserve the right to refuse our service should we feel that doing so would compromise the standards and integrity of Elite Authentications.
Slabbing that exceeds the size of our slab encapsulation options (generally, cards larger than 6.35cm x 8.89cm).

Ready to submit your cards for grading?

To begin the grading process, simply click the button below to access our Card Submission Portal, where you'll find step-by-step instructions on how to prepare, package, and send your trading cards, along with our guided submission form. Everything you need to know, from submission guidelines to turnaround times, is outlined clearly to help make the process quick and hassle-free.

SUBMIT CARDS FOR GRADING

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