The Raw Condition Scale
Raw cards are sold on a five step scale: Near Mint (NM), Lightly Played (LP), Moderately Played (MP), Heavily Played (HP) and Damaged (DMG). Each step down usually means a lower price, so getting the condition right matters as much as getting the card right.
How the Grader Decides
Every kind of wear gets a severity from None to Major. Each severity is worth a number of wear points, and every condition has two limits: a ceiling on the total points, and a worst severity it will accept for each kind of wear.
Your card lands in the best condition whose limits hold all of its flaws. That is why one deep crease can drop an otherwise clean card several steps, while a few slight marks together may only cost one.
How to Inspect a Card
Work under one bright light. Check all four edges and corners for whitening, then tilt the card to catch scratches and dull patches in the gloss. Gently flex it to find bends, and look at both faces for dirt and dents.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between Near Mint and Lightly Played?
A Near Mint card shows little to no visible wear. A Lightly Played card shows light wear that is easy to spot on close inspection, such as a little edge whitening or a few faint scratches.
Does a crease make a card Damaged?
Not always. A very slight bend can still leave a card Lightly Played, but a clear crease pushes it to Heavily Played, and a tear, hole or hard fold makes it Damaged.
Is raw condition the same as a PSA grade?
No. Raw condition is the scale sellers use for ungraded cards. A PSA grade is a number from 1 to 10 given by a grading company after inspection, and the two only loosely line up.
Why did my card get a lower condition than I expected?
Each condition limits both total wear and the worst single flaw. The grader lists every flaw that keeps the card out of the next condition up.