How a MAS grade is determined
A grade is more than a number. Each card is judged across four independent factors, and the final grade reflects the weakest of them.
Centering
We measure the border ratios on the front and back. The closer to a perfect 50/50, the higher the ceiling on the grade.
Corners
Under magnification, we inspect all four corners for sharpness, fraying, or soft spots — the fastest way a grade drops.
Edges
Edges are checked for chipping, whitening, and roughness, especially on darker-bordered cards where wear shows most.
Surface
Print lines, scratches, dents, gloss, and staining are all assessed to judge the overall condition of the card face.
Why the population matters
Beyond the grade, MAS tracks a live population of every identical card by grade. This shows exactly how rare your card's condition truly is — and it's verifiable by anyone at any time.
See the full grading scale →