Do you know how to judge a card’s condition? It can be tricky, especially if you’re unsure what to look for besides the obvious wear and tear. This article will guide you in examining a card and determining its condition; we’ll discuss the different types of damage and what to look for when inspecting one.
So, without further ado, let’s begin.
Common Damage Types to Look out for in Trading Cards
There are four main types of damage: physical, chemical, creasing, and staining. Each type of damage can affect the card’s value, so it’s important to be able to identify them.
Physical Damage
It includes scratches, dents, tears, and bends; this damage is usually the most visible and can be the most difficult to repair. Physical damage is often caused by improper storage or handling of the card. To avoid this damage, you should carefully handle your cards, place them in sleeves and store them in a safe place, like a laser-cut storage drawer.
Chemical Damage
It includes fading, yellowing, and discoloration; this damage is often caused by exposure to sunlight or chemicals. It can be difficult to repair; keep your cards out of direct sunlight and chemicals to avoid this damage.
Creasing
It is a type of damage that includes wrinkles, folds, and creases. This type of damage can be caused by improper storage or handling. It’s usually not too difficult to repair, but it can affect the card’s value if severe.
Staining
It is a type of damage that includes spots, smudges, and fingerprints. This type of damage is usually caused by exposure to dirt or grease. It’s often difficult to repair, but it doesn’t affect a card’s value, provided it’s not excessive. You should keep your cards clean and free from dirt and grease.
Now that you know the different types of damage, you can start to examine the card more closely. You’ll want to look for any signs of damage, such as scratches, dents, tears, bends, wrinkles, folds, creases, spots, smudges, or fingerprints. You’ll want to note the severity if you see any of these things on the card. We can summarize that the more severe the damage, the lower the card’s value.
To protect your cards from damage, visit MTech Cave to get all the gear to protect your cards and more. You will find laser-cut drawers to properly store the cards and sleeves to place the cards in.
Check out the FAQs below to find answers to commonly asked questions that card enthusiasts like you have asked.
How Do I Know If My Card Is In Good Condition?
The best way to judge a card’s condition is to examine it closely for any signs of damage. If the card is in mint condition, it will be worth more than a damaged card. Plus, you can compare your card to others of the same set and see how yours measures up.
Is A Creased Card Damaged?
A creased card is considered damaged because it affects the value of the card. A crease is a type of damage that includes wrinkles, folds, and creases. This type of damage can be caused by improper handling or storage methods. It’s usually not too difficult to repair but impacts the value in case of extensive damage.
What Is The Most Common Type Of Damage?
The most common type of damage is physical, including scratches, dents, tears, and bends. This damage is usually the most visible and can be the most difficult to repair.
How Do You Tell If A Card Is Lightly Played?
A card that is lightly played will have some wear, but it should still be in good condition. The easiest way to tell if a card is lightly played is to compare it to other cards of the same set. If the card looks similar to others, it is probably in good condition. However, if the card has more wear than other cards, it is probably in poor condition.
What Is The Difference Between Mint And Near Mint Conditions?
Mint condition means the card is in perfect condition, with no wear or damage. Near mint condition means the card is almost perfect, with very little wear or damage. Mint cards are worth more than near mint cards, but both are worth more than cards that are damaged.
If The Card Is Bent, Is It Still In Good Condition?
A bent card is considered damaged because it affects the card’s value. A bend is a type of damage that includes a curvature or warp in the card; this damage can be caused by improper storage or handling. It’s usually not too difficult to repair, but it can affect the card’s value if severe.