grade-tcg-card - SKILL.md Agent Skill

name: grade-tcg-card locale: caveman-ultra source_locale: en source_commit: 82c77053 translator: "Julius Brussee homage — caveman" translation_date: "2026-04-24" description: > Grade a trading card using PSA, BGS, or CGC standards. Covers observation-first assessment (adapted from meditate's unbiased observation), centering measurement, surface analysis, edge and corner evaluation, and final grade assignment with confidence interval. Supports Pokemon, MTG, Flesh and Blood, and Kayou cards. Use when evaluating a card before professional grading submission, pre-screening a collection for high-grade candidates, settling condition disputes between buyers and sellers, or estimating the grade-dependent value spread for a card. license: MIT allowed-tools: Read Grep Glob WebFetch WebSearch metadata: author: Philipp Thoss version: "1.0" domain: tcg complexity: intermediate language: natural tags: tcg, grading, psa, bgs, cgc, pokemon, mtg, fab, kayou, cards, collecting

Grade TCG Card

Grade card per PSA/BGS/CGC. Observation-first (from meditate) → no grade anchoring.

Use When

Pre-submission evaluation
Pre-screen collection → high-grade candidates
Settle buyer/seller disputes
Learn consistent grading
Estimate grade-value spread

In

Required: card ID (set, #, name, variant)
Required: images or physical desc (front + back)
Required: standard (PSA 1-10, BGS 1-10 w/ subgrades, CGC 1-10)
Optional: known market value at grades
Optional: game (Pokemon, MTG, FaB, Kayou)

Do

Step 1: Clear bias → observe w/o prejudgment

From meditate Step 2-3: observe w/o anchor to expected grade/value.

Set aside market value
DO NOT look up sales/population reports pre-grade
Known valuable → explicit: "Worth $X PSA 10. Set aside."
Examine as physical object
Gut impression noted but NOT anchored
Premature grade thoughts → "anchoring" → return to observation

→ Neutral start. Grade anchoring = #1 source of inconsistency.

If err: bias sticky (high-value wants 10) → write bias explicit. Externalize → reduce influence. Proceed only as physical object.

Step 2: Centering

Measure border all 4 sides front:
- L vs R (horizontal)
- T vs B (vertical)
- Ratio: 55/45 L-R, 60/40 T-B
Repeat back
Apply thresholds:

PSA Centering Thresholds:
+-------+-------------------+-------------------+
| Grade | Front (max)       | Back (max)        |
+-------+-------------------+-------------------+
| 10    | 55/45 or better   | 75/25 or better   |
| 9     | 60/40 or better   | 90/10 or better   |
| 8     | 65/35 or better   | 90/10 or better   |
| 7     | 70/30 or better   | 90/10 or better   |
+-------+-------------------+-------------------+

BGS Centering Subgrade:
+------+-------------------+-------------------+
| Sub  | Front (max)       | Back (max)        |
+------+-------------------+-------------------+
| 10   | 50/50 perfect     | 50/50 perfect     |
| 9.5  | 55/45 or better   | 60/40 or better   |
| 9    | 60/40 or better   | 65/35 or better   |
| 8.5  | 65/35 or better   | 70/30 or better   |
+------+-------------------+-------------------+

Record ratio per axis + subgrade.

→ Numeric ratios both faces + grade/subgrade. Most objective measurement.

If err: borders too narrow (full-art, borderless) → "centering N/A — borderless", skip Step 3. Services differ for borderless.

Step 3: Surface

Front under good light:
- Print defects: ink spots, missing ink, print lines, color inconsistency
- Scratches: direct + angled light
- Whitening: haze/clouding
- Indentations: raking light
- Stain/discoloration: yellowing, water marks, chemical
Back same criteria
Factory vs handling:
- Factory: print lines, miscut, crimping → may be less penalized
- Handling: scratches, dents, stains → always penalized
Rate:
- Pristine (10): flawless under mag
- Near-pristine (9-9.5): minor only under mag
- Excellent (8-8.5): minor naked eye
- Good (6-7): moderate, multiple
- Fair+ (1-5): significant

→ Defect inventory located + described + severity. Factory vs handling distinguished.

If err: low-res images → provide range not point grade. Recommend physical.

Step 4: Edge + corner

4 edges:
- Whitening: spots/lines along colored (most common)
- Chipping: edge layer missing
- Roughness: uneven / micro-tears
- Foil separation: holofoil delamination
4 corners:
- Sharpness: tip crisp
- Rounding: worn curve (slight/moderate/heavy)
- Splitting: layer separation (dings)
- Bending: turned/creased
Rate same scale
Note worst edge/corner

→ Per-edge + per-corner. Worst limits overall grade.

If err: in sleeve/toploader obscures → note which areas not fully assessed.

Step 5: Final grade

PSA (1-10):
- Weakest sub limits final
- Perfect surface + 65/35 centering → cap PSA 8
- "Lowest limits" + adjust up if exceptional
BGS (4 subgrades → overall):
- Centering, Edges, Corners, Surface each 1-10 in 0.5
- Overall = weighted avg, lowest subgrade limits
- BGS 10 Pristine → all 4 = 10
- BGS 9.5 Gem Mint → avg 9.5+ no sub <9
CGC (similar to PSA w/ subgrades on label):
- Centering, Surface, Edges, Corners
- Overall = proprietary weighting
Confidence:
- "PSA 8 (confident)" — clear, unlikely higher/lower
- "PSA 8-9 (borderline)" — either way
- "PSA 7-8 (uncertain)" — limited data

→ Final grade + confidence. BGS all 4 reported. Evidence from Steps 2-4.

If err: inconclusive (scratch vs dirt) → range + recommend pro grading. Never confident w/ insufficient data.

Check

Bias check pre-grading (no anchoring)
Centering both faces w/ ratios
Surface examined (scratches, print, stain, indent)
All 4 edges + corners individually
Factory vs handling distinguished
Grade evidence-backed from each sub
Confidence stated
Standard applied correctly

Traps

Grade anchoring: value knowledge → bias toward hoped-for grade. Physical first.
Ignore back: back surface + centering count. Many over-focus front.
Factory vs handling confusion: both affect grade differently.
Holofoil over-grade: hides scratches until angled. Multiple light angles.
Centering illusion: art placement can mislead. Measure borders not art.

→

build-tcg-deck — condition affects tournament legality
manage-tcg-collection — grade-based valuation
meditate — source of observation-without-prejudgment