How to Evaluate the Condition of a Card or Comics
Want to collect cards and comics smartly? Learn how to assess their condition: centering, spine, corners, slab, grading and all the key details that impact value.
Condition is everything
In card and comic book collecting, condition is the number one factor influencing value. Two identical items, if preserved differently, can show up to a 90% price difference on the secondary market. That’s why knowing how to evaluate condition isn’t just a useful skill—it’s a way to protect your cultural and collectible assets.
For cards: 4 key criteria
- Centering The artwork or logo should be precisely centered within the card’s borders. Perfect centering is rare, and even mint cards with poor centering lose significant value.
- Corners Corners must be sharp, symmetrical, and free of bends or rounding. For example, in Pokémon cards, the iconic rounded corner should retain its original factory curvature.
- Edges Edges should be clean, with no whitening or chipping. Cards showing whitening along the edges lose multiple grading points.
- Surface No scratches, fingerprints, creases, or bubbles. Print gloss matters too: a dull or faded surface, even if unplayed, can lower the card’s grade.
For comics: details that matter
- Spine No spine breaks, folds, or “spine roll” (dorsal curve). Original staples must be intact—especially important for comics from the 1960s and ’70s.
- Corners & Cover Cover should be sharp, unyellowed, and tear-free. Corners must be intact, with no signs of moisture. Glossy covers (like 1990s Marvel) must retain their shine.
- Centerfold & Pages Centerfold must be well attached, and internal pages should be white or evenly ivory. Brittle or browned pages drastically lower grading.
Official evaluation: grading
There are globally recognized grading companies that evaluate condition and seal the item in a slab:
- Cards: PSA, BGS, CGC
- Comics: CGC Comics, CBCS
Grades range from 1 (Poor) to 10 (Gem Mint), with huge price gaps. A 1st Edition Charizard graded PSA 10 can exceed €300,000, while a PSA 6 version may not reach €10,000.
Storage and protection
- Even post-purchase, preservation is key:
- Rigid sleeves, top loaders, slabs, UV-protected boxes
- Controlled temperature and humidity
- No direct exposure to light or magnetic fields
Like wine or aged spirits, proper storage is part of the value. A well-kept comic can appreciate in price just for how it’s been archived.
In this market, condition isn’t a detail—it’s the rule. Every crease, scratch or flaw tells a story, but also determines a price. Collecto selects only certified cards and comics, sealed in slabs and stored with museum-level standards. Because every collection is unique—but its condition is what truly makes the difference.
