| name | grade-tcg-card |
| locale | caveman-lite |
| 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
Assess and grade a trading card following professional grading standards (PSA, BGS, CGC). Uses an observation-first protocol adapted from the meditate skill to prevent grade anchoring — the most common grading bias.
When to Use
- Evaluating a card before submission to a professional grading service
- Pre-screening a collection to identify high-grade candidates worth submitting
- Settling disputes about card condition between buyers and sellers
- Learning to grade consistently by following a structured assessment protocol
- Estimating the grade-dependent value spread for a specific card
Inputs
- Required: Card identification (set, number, name, variant/edition)
- Required: Card images or physical description (front and back)
- Required: Grading standard to apply (PSA 1-10, BGS 1-10 with subgrades, CGC 1-10)
- Optional: Known market value at different grades (for grade-value analysis)
- Optional: Card game (Pokemon, Magic: The Gathering, Flesh and Blood, Kayou)
Procedure
Step 1: Clear Bias — Observation Without Prejudgment
Adapted from meditate Step 2-3: observe the card without anchoring to expected grade or market value.
- Set aside any knowledge of the card's market value
- Do NOT look up recent sales or population reports before grading
- If you know the card is "valuable," acknowledge that bias explicitly:
- "I know this card is worth $X in PSA 10. I am setting that aside."
- Examine the card as a physical object first, not as a collectible
- Note your initial gut impression but do NOT let it anchor the assessment
- Label any premature grade thoughts as "anchoring" and return to observation
Got: A neutral starting state where the card is assessed purely on physical condition, not market expectations. Grade anchoring (knowing the value before grading) is the #1 source of grading inconsistency.
If fail: If bias feels sticky (a high-value card makes you want to see a 10), write down the bias explicitly. Externalizing it reduces its influence. Proceed only when you can examine the card as a physical object.
Step 2: Centering Assessment
Measure the card's print centering on both faces.
- Measure the border width on all four sides of the front face:
- Left vs. right border (horizontal centering)
