TFG's Grading System
TFG™ was created to bring a respected, trustworthy, and professional grading service to the UK. Our team was founded by former elite UK military personnel, applying decades' worth of precision and focus to a profession we love and enjoy.
Our TFG Grading System combines our high grading standards with assistance from our in-house intelligence system. We have gathered millions of data points from submissions to support us with our grading accuracy, identifying correlations between cards to help accurately award sub-grades.
To see a comprehensive overview of our grading system, please check out our grading standards.
Alpha 10
Mean Average - 10
This is our highest possible grade. An Alpha 10 is awarded to perfect cards with zero flaws. To receive this grade, a card must score 10s across all four main criteria. Additionally, all Alpha 10s must be verified by a second grader before the Alpha status is awarded.
Bravo 10
Mean Average 9.5 - 9.99
Our second highest award, our Bravo 10 grade, defines cards that are of pristine condition, bar very minor imperfections. 9.5 centering could be awarded for borders with a 53/47 ratio. Corners may have a very slight imperfection under magnification. There may be a very slight print imperfection on the surface of the card.
ALT
ALT grades recognise cards with unique characteristics, manufacturing variations, or special attributes that fall outside standard grading criteria. These designations acknowledge the distinct collectible value of cards that may not achieve traditional high scores but possess noteworthy qualities.
Alt grades are awarded for the following;
For a card to qualify for OC, it must have poor centering (score of 5 or below) but maintain quality in other areas (grade average of 5 or above across Corners, Edges, and Surface).
For Miscut to be awarded, a card must display a distinct cut error. This could either be a card displaying a portion of another card, or a cut displaying a distinct difference from the standard.
For cards to qualify for Auto status, we research cards on a case-by-case basis. Our research team will ask for a range of information and reserve the right to refuse Auto submissions if requested information cannot be provided or if there is any doubt of authenticity.
Error status can be awarded to cards that display a common error. For the status to be awarded, a customer must include details of the error within their submission form. TFG will not award errors not initially detailed by the customer.
Test status is awarded to cards that have been used as test cards across various TCGs. Due to the rarity of these cards, TFG research will work with the customer and the TCG to verify their integrity.
Grade 9
Mean Average 9 - 9.49
Grade 9 may have centering of approximately 55/45 on the front, approximately 70/30 on the back. There may be very slight wear to up to two corners under close inspection. There may be minimal unobtrusive marks to no more than one border. Surface could have up to two subtle print lines or very minor printing imperfections.
Grade 8
Mean Average 8 - 8.99
Grade 8 may have centering of approximately 60/40 on the front and 90/10 on the back. There may be very slight wear on a maximum of three corners under close inspection. Edges may be slightly off-colour or have visible specks of chipping. Surface may have minor scratches or up to two metallic print lines.
Grade 7
Mean Average 7 - 7.99
Grade 7 may have centering of approximately 65/35 on the front and 90/10 on the back. There may be minor wear on a maximum of four corners under close inspection. Edges may have minor chipping and/or a slightly off-colour border. Grade 7 for surface is given for noticeable speckling, colour or focus imperfections, minor wax stains, and minor scratches on close inspection.
Grade 6
Mean Average 6 - 6.99
Grade 6 may have centering of approximately 70/30 on the front and 90/10 on the back. There may be fuzzing or graduation on all four corners. Moderate chipping may be visible on the edges of a card with minor discolouration. Grade 6 for surface may have noticeable print spots, minor border discolouration, minor scratches but should be free of scuffing and noticeable metallic print lines.
Grade 5
Mean Average 5 - 5.99
Grade 5 may have centering of approximately 75/25 on the front, 95/5 on the back. Cards that score grade 5 for centering may be eligible for 'OC' status if they score 9.5 or higher across the other three criteria. Corners awarded grade 5 may have notching or minor damage. Edges may have slight notching and moderate colour change to the borders. Cards awarded grade 5 for surface may have minor wax stains or light ink marks with moderate scratches.
Grade 4
Mean Average 4 - 4.99
Grade 4 may have centering of approximately 80/20 on the front with any centering on the rear. Corners may have slight notching and layering. Cards awarded grade 4 for edges could be heavily notched with an off-colour border and may be slightly layered. Surfaces awarded grade 4 may have heavy print spots, hairline creases, moderate colour or focus imperfections, and noticeable wax stains. They may also have significant gloss loss from the surface and/or very minor surface scuffing.
Grade 3
Mean Average 3 - 3.99
Grade 3 may have centering of approximately 85/15 on the front and any centering on the rear. Grade 3 corners may be rounded with noticeable notching or layering. Edges may be heavily notched with moderate layering; they may also have heavy discolouration. Surface may have very minor creases, noticeable border discolouration, light ink marks or tape stains, significant gloss loss, minor scuffing, or a very minor tear.
Grade 2
Mean Average 2 - 2.99
Grade 2 may have centering of approximately 85/15 on the front and any centering on the back. Corners may be noticeably round, with moderate layering and/or accelerated rounding. Edges of the card may be severely chipped, notched and/or layered with heavy discolouration. Grade 2 surfaces may have severe print spots, noticeable creases, heavy wax stains, heavy discolouration, minor scuffing, or a very minor tear.
Grade 1
Mean Average 1 - 1.99
Any centering is allowed on an authentic card. Corners may have extreme wear, possibly impeding on the frame of the picture. Edges may have extreme chipping, notching and/or layering with extreme discolouration. Surfaces may have severe print spots, noticeable creases, noticeable colour or focus imperfections, heavy border discolouration, severe stains, no original gloss, heavy scuffing, or a severe tear. To achieve the minimal grade, a card must be fully intact. If solid pieces of a card are missing because of a severe tear, or there is a major deficiency such as the back missing from the card, this grade cannot be awarded.
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