Pokémon Card Condition Guide: NM, LP, MP, and DMG Explained

by Justin Verley

Pokémon Card Condition Guide: NM, LP, MP, and DMG Explained

This condition guide follows TCGplayer’s official grading standards so collectors can understand exactly what each label means when buying, trading, or selling Pokémon cards. Accurate grading builds trust and ensures you know what to expect when browsing verified complete sets at TradingCardSets.com.

How to Evaluate Condition (Step-by-Step)

  1. Surface: Check for scratches, dents, print lines, stains, or impressions using angled light.
  2. Edges: Look for whitening, fraying, or small chips along all borders.
  3. Corners: Inspect for rounding or whitening under bright light.
  4. Centering: Compare border width on both sides.
  5. Back: Examine gloss consistency, scuffing, or color fading.

Condition Grades Explained

Near Mint (NM)

  • Only slight surface or edge wear visible upon close inspection.
  • May have very subtle whitening or a faint print line under angled light.
  • No creases, bends, indents, stains, water damage, or writing.
  • Gloss is bright and surfaces remain smooth and clean.

Lightly Played (LP)

  • Minor surface wear or light scuffing visible at normal viewing angles.
  • Small amounts of whitening along edges or corners.
  • No major creases; light impressions possible if they do not break the card surface.
  • Still visually strong in binders and suitable for most collectors.

Moderately Played (MP)

  • Noticeable wear on surface or edges; holofoil may show multiple scratches or light clouding.
  • Whitening around edges or visible corner wear common.
  • Minor creases are allowed under TCGplayer MP standards as long as they do not heavily affect structure or card integrity.
  • Backs may show more scuffing or gloss loss; good for binder display or full-set completion.

Damaged (DMG)

  • Heavy wear, deep creases, tears, moisture damage, ink, or severe whitening.
  • Surface breaks, delamination, or missing material are possible.
  • Ideal for collectors who prioritize completeness or historical preservation over condition.

Handling and Storage Tips

  • Use acid-free, PVC-free sleeves and top loaders.
  • Store binders upright in cool, dry spaces (40–50% humidity).
  • Avoid sunlight and temperature swings to prevent fading or warping.
  • Handle cards with clean hands and avoid stacking unsleeved cards.

Shop Verified Pokémon Sets by Condition

Every collection at TradingCardSets.com is pre-graded for transparency and consistency. Whether you’re hunting for display-quality Near Mint binders or nostalgic played sets, explore curated vintage and complete master collections below:

Each listing includes detailed condition notes so you can build your collection with confidence—no surprises, no guesswork. Whether you collect pristine NM or nostalgic MP sets, TradingCardSets.com ensures accuracy and completeness every time.

Keywords: Pokémon card condition guide, TCGplayer standards, NM LP MP DMG grading, Pokémon card grading accuracy, complete Pokémon sets, TradingCardSets condition policy.

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