Condition & Grading Standard

Purpose

This Standard defines what each condition grade means on Harlequins Market, so a stated grade means the same thing on every listing. Every item on this site is graded and sold by us — see Who You Are Buying From in our Terms.

The Conservative Principle

We grade conservatively. When a card sits between two grades, we list the lower one. Condition is assessed in good lighting on surface, edges, corners, and centering. Grading is a judgment call; this describes our consistent method, not a promise that every eye will agree.

Near Mint (NM)

Appears unplayed or nearly so. At most very minor handling — a tiny edge nick, a faint surface imperfection, or a slightly off-center cut visible only on close inspection. No creases, no noticeable whitening, no play wear. Most current singles sit here.

Lightly Played (LP)

Minor wear visible at normal viewing distance: light edge whitening, minor corner wear, a small scratch or scuff. Structurally sound, no creases that affect play.

Moderately Played (MP)

Clearly visible wear: noticeable border or edge whitening, corner wear, scratching or scuffing, light scratching to foil, or a light crease. Still tournament-playable in a sleeve.

Heavily Played (HP)

Major wear: heavy whitening, significant creasing, scuffing, surface or water marks. The card remains intact and identifiable, with no holes and no material missing.

Damaged (DMG)

Severe wear or a defect affecting structure or identity: heavy creasing, tearing, water damage, writing, bends, or material loss. Always sold explicitly as Damaged.

Mint

We do not use a Mint or Gem Mint tier on raw cards — those claims belong to professionally graded slabs. A card that might qualify is listed as Near Mint.

Foils & Special Finishes

Foils use the same tiers and are additionally assessed for foil-specific wear: clouding, scratching of the foil layer, and curling. Mild factory curl is common to foils and is not by itself a defect.

Altered, Signed & Graded Cards

Altered, signed, or artist-modified cards are always disclosed and are never sold as unaltered. Professionally graded cards in sealed slabs are listed by the grader's assigned grade and serial; the raw tiers above do not override a professional grade.

Photographs

Listings use catalog imagery to identify the card and printing, but the stated grade governs what you are promised. We include photographs of the actual item for any card graded MP or below, and for any altered or signed card.

Sealed Product

Sealed product is described by factory-seal state and packaging condition, not by the card tiers. We do not sell resealed product. Anything whose seal is broken is listed as opened, with contents described.

If We Get It Wrong

If a card arrives materially worse than its listed grade, or is the wrong card or printing, our Refund & Return Policy governs the remedy. Minor variation within a grade is not on its own grounds for return, because grading carries inherent subjectivity. Nothing here limits rights you have under law that cannot be waived.

Changes

We may update this Standard; the posted version is the one in effect, and material changes carry a new date.