High-Quality Card Grading.
Fastest. Cheapest. Fairest.
Green Star Labs features an engineer-designed grading system that works to provide comprehensive and consistent card grading.
GRADING SYSTEM
CATEGORIES: Centering, Surface Finish, Corners, Edges, and Warp
STAR MINT
Effectively perfect. Ideal centering, surface finish, crisp corners, unblemished edges, no undue warp.
MINT
Minor yet significant enough imperfection(s) knocks the rating from Star Mint to Mint.
MINT
Just slightly imperfect in one or more categories, but still in amazing shape.
NEAR MINT
Lacking in one or several categories without significantly detracting from the visual appeal of the card.
NEAR MINT
Several low to mid ranking categories which bring down the average score of the card without significant visual impact.
TOP EXCELLENT
Imperfect in most categories, with possible fine scratches and slight visible wear with minimal impact to visual appeal.
EXCELLENT
Imperfect in most categories, with possible fine and/or widespread scratches and more evident visible wear.
EXCELLENT
Imperfect in most categories, with significant scratches and visible wear. Main visual mostly unmarred.
GREAT
On the low end of several categories, with significant damage and/or scratches in one or more places.
GREAT
On the low end of several categories, with significant damage and scratches readily apparent to the naked eye.
VERY GOOD
On the low to mid range of most categories, with significant damage detracting from visual appeal.
VERY GOOD
On the low to mid range of most categories, with significant damage, focused somewhat on the main illustration.
GOOD
On the low end of most categories, with significant damage, likely focused in large part on the main illustration.
FAIR
On the low end of all categories, with significant damage which detracts from card integrity and visual appeal.
POOR
Intensely damaged and warped, almost beyond recognition. Extreme damage to main visual.
We take inspiration from the concept of the Bell Curve. Our system is based on practicality — small imperfections, virtually imperceptible to the naked eye, should not make-or-break a card’s grade and, subsequently, its value.
How do we calculate overall card grade?
We do not force a Bell Curve; instead, we take inspiration from the concept to apply a realistic and consistent approach to grading.
While each card is examined under magnification and expert scrutiny, we keep the concept of a true 10 and a true 1 in mind while scoring. While it is accurate that not every card is Rank 10 (Star Mint), we insist that a Rank 1 (Poor) card should be of explicitly inverse quality and truly deserving of its rating.
When scoring, the lowest value is applied in triplicate to the overall average. This means that the most lacking category helps weigh the grade of the card, without skewing it too greatly.
Example calculation, for a card with Edges as its poorest category:
[ Surface Finish + Corners + (3×Edge) ] ÷ 5 - (Centering + Warp offsets) = Overall Grade
Please note that these grade descriptions are not all-encompassing and educated discretion is taken by the grade technician for each card.
ABOUT US
Our mission is to provide affordable and consistent card grading, breaking away from industry sub-par standards. Cards are graded fairly, realistically, and dependably, without a big price tag or membership fees.
