grade-tcg-card

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.

1. Set aside market value
2. DO NOT look up sales/population reports pre-grade
3. Known valuable → explicit: "Worth $X PSA 10. Set aside."
4. Examine as physical object
5. Gut impression noted but NOT anchored
6. 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

1. Measure border all 4 sides front:
   • L vs R (horizontal)
   • T vs B (vertical)
   • Ratio: 55/45 L-R, 60/40 T-B
2. Repeat back
3. 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   |
+------+-------------------+-------------------+

4. Record ratio per axis + subgrade.