How it Works: Card Grading
Several factors such as rarity and demand are important in determining the value of your trading cards but ultimately condition affects its value.
Global Authentication has developed the most exacting, refined and conventional grading techniques when examining a trading card. The process of card grading is not an exact science. However, the years of experience, the most in the card grading industry, Global card experts assure a smooth, organized and accurate grade to your card with every examination. The surface, centering, edges, stock, print, gloss and overall eye appeal all play a part in the determination of the condition and grade of the trading card. Each grading expert will take all these factors into consideration when assigning a grade to a card.
Each card undergoes a physical and thorough examination. The grade assigned to each card is guaranteed. As long as the card remains in the Global Authentication tamper evident holder GAI guarantees the grade and authenticity of the grade assigned to a card. With this in mind, Global Authentication provides the consumer with the confidence to make an informed decision when ready to make a purchase of a Global graded card.
Card Grading Procedures
Card experts assure a smooth, organized and accurate grade to your card with every examination. 
Listed below are the card grading procedures used when a Global Card Grader examines a card:
- Examine Card for Authenticity. Make sure the card is factory issued and not a re-print or counterfeit.
- Examine Card for Alterations. Make sure the card has not been trimmed, filed, re-colored, erased borders, built up corners, re-glossed, or any other type of alteration. Remember there must be clear and convincing evidence that you can articulate why a card is altered.
- Examine Card for Centering. Measure exact centering on very card when warranted. Use the centering loop and chart to find exact centering from top to bottom and left to right.
- Examine Card for Surface Condition. Check the front and back of the card for scratches, missing stock, wrinkles, creases and any other surface problems.
- Examine Card for Corner Wear. Check the front and back of each corner, examine for wear, fraying, slight touches, creases, wrinkles, bends, chipping and any other type of wear.
- Examine Card Edges. Check the edges of the card on the front and the back, look for fraying, chipping, uneven factory cut, and any other type of flaws.
- Examine Card for Original Gloss. Check the factory gloss on the card look for uneven gloss or breaks in the gloss.
- Examine Card for Print Defects. Check the card for factory print defects. Print flaws impact the overall eye appeal of the card with white “snow” or print dots and where its located.
- Examine Card for Staining. Check the card for any type of staining, look for gum, water, tobacco, wax or any other type of stain.
- Examine Card for Overall Eye Appeal. Check the front and back of the card and determine if the card possess superior eye appeal. Determine Final Grade.
The grading information of each card is recorded into the Global database. The database information is available for customer viewing on the our website. Click (here).
This new information is then printed onto a Global product label (or 'flip') and sealed (or 'encapsulated') with the card inside a Global Card holder.
This Holder is a specially designed package that protects your card from moisture, humidity and physical wear that can degrade a trading card over time. The Holder allows your cards to be easily identified while stored using the card insdustries first to top-view holder.
How to Submit Cards:
Download A Global Submission Form and Shipping Instructions
- Make sure you list the card
- The player
- The team
- The year of the card
- Variety is for recoginzed error or special cards
- The cards value (for insurance purposes)
Select the Service Fee
- Fees are based on processing time
- All services are guranteed (check website for specials)
- Determine shipping fees for return shipment
- You can decide to use your own account (include account information) or choose to use our UPS form of shipment. All packages valued over a $1000 dollars will be returned with signature required
- Global accepts all methods of shipping
Shipping Your Card
- Place your card into a Card Saver ll (recommended)
- Place your card in a sturdy cardboard box
- Use packing material such as foam pellets, bubble wrap to protect the card.
- Ensure proper packing to limit movement within the box
- Include a copy of your submission form
Ship to: Global Authentication
232 Avenida Fabricante
Suite 109/ Box 4
San Clemente, CA 92672
Card Grading Standards
Global Perfect (10)
This superior example exhibits no wear or blemishes. This card must possess four perfectly sharp corners and superb print quality. Approximate centering of 50/50 on the front.
Global GEM-MT (9.5)
This superior example exhibits no wear or blemishes. This card must possess four perfectly sharp corners and no chipping. One minor print imperfection may be allowed. Approximate centering of 55/45 on the front.
Global MINT (9)
Appears to have all the attributes of a Global GEM-MT 9.5. Under close examination one minor flaw, such as a small print mark, slight registration problem or minor surface problem may be evident. Approximate centering of 60/40 on the front.
Global NM-MT+ (8.5)
Appears to be very similar to a Global NM-MT card but will have a superior characteristic.
Global NM-MT (8)
A near flawless card. While the corners appear sharp to the naked eye, light 'touches' of wear may be seen on the tips of one or more of the corners under closer examination. A few minor flaws, including light surface wear or a small wax stain may be evident. Approximate centering of 65/35 on the front.
Global NM+ (7.5)
Appears to be very similar to a Global NM card but will have a superior characteristic.
Global NM (7)
While the corners still appear square, light wear at their tips may be evident. The card may exhibit a few minor flaws. Approximate centering of 70/30 on the front.
Global EX-MT+ (6.5)
Appears to be very similar to a Global EX-MT card but will have a superior characteristic.
Global EX-MT (6)
This card may have one or more corners displaying light corner fraying and a light amount of stock enamel missing on the edge. May exhibit several minor flaws, including light surface scratching. Approximate centering of 75/25 on the front.
Global EX+ (5.5)
Appears to be very similar to a Global EX 5 card but will have a superior characteristic.
Global EX (5)
May exhibit a few flaws including very light rounding of the corners, loss of surface gloss and a very light surface wrinkle may be evident. Approximate centering of 80/20 on the front.
Global VG-EX+ (4.5)
Appears to be very similar to a Global VG-EX 4 but will have a superior characteristic.
Global VG-EX (4)
May exhibit several flaws, including light corner rounding, a light crease, surface wear and print imperfections. Approximate centering of 85/15 on the front.
Global VG+ (3.5)
Appears to be very similar to a Global VG 3 but will have a superior characteristic.
Global VG (3)
May have several flaws, including more noticeable rounding of the corners, multiple creases, chipping and print imperfections. Approximate centering of 90/10 on the front.
Global GD-VG (2.5)
May exhibit several flaws, including rounded corners, a small amount of back damage, staining and surface wear. Approximate centering of 90/10 on the front.
Global GOOD (2)
May exhibit a few major flaws, including heavy creasing, accelerated corner wear, poor registration, a pinhole, writing and tape.
Global FAIR (1.5)
May exhibit several major flaws including tears and missing surface stock.
Global POOR (1)
May include many major flaws such as missing pieces and similar, obvious defects.
Flaw Glossary
Minor Flaws: A minor flaw may include but is not limited to a light print line, light wax stain, light surface wear and a slightly skewed manufacture cut.
Flaw: A flaw may include but is not limited to corner wear, print line or mark, wax stain and surface wear or enamel.
Major Flaws: A major flaw may include but is not limited to accelerated or heavy corner wear, poor regitration, a heavy stain or stains, excessive surface wear, pinhole, writing and tape or tape residue.
The Global Authentication grading guide is not meant to be totally comprehensive; rather it is a general summary of information used to understand the Global grading process.
Minor League Disclaimer
Global Authentication grades certain issues of Minor League sports trading cards, including Star Baseball and TCMA. At this time we do not grade other Minor League issues. Please call or email, customerservice@gacard.net before submitting your items to verify if we can or cannot grade the item.
Autographed Cards
Global Authentication grades and authenticates sports trading cards and does not offer an opinion on the authenticity of autographs from card manufacturers. If an opinion is requested it must be submitted under the vintage authentication service. The certification flip will be designated GAI Certified along with a grade or authentic only.
Minimum Size Disclaimer
Global Authentication will not encapsulate sports trading cards that measure more than a 1/32" short top to bottom or 1/32" narrow left to right. Manufactured sets that are known to vary in size will be accounted for during the grading process.
Authentic Only Disclaimer
Global Authentication will designate, by customer request, cards that have been graded trimmed, recolored or altered by labeling the certification flip; Authentic Only. Cards that have been miscut, hand cut or sheet cut will not be assigned a numerical grade, they will be labeled Authentic Only.
Liquidity
Items Encapsulated or authenticated by Global Authentication does not assure liquidity or market acceptance.
Please note: As of January 2007, 1st Graded has been discontinued as a service and will no longer be printed on Re-holder Service products
