Our Grading Standards
At Hyperfang, grading is never vague, it’s based on proof. Every card is evaluated with our 40-Point Inspection System, divided into four subgrades. This ensures every grade is consistent, transparent, and backed by evidence collectors can trust.
The 40-Point Inspection
- Centering (10 pts) - Front and back ratios, font/border drift, alignment, and visual balance.
- Edges (10 pts) - Whitening, chipping, dents, cut quality, flaking, holo bleed, and edge sharpness.
- Corners (10 pts) - Whitening, bends, dings, chipping, and cut smoothness.
- Surface (10 pts) - Scratches, scuffs, print lines, gloss, roller marks, holo/foil texture, and overall quality.
Each section contains detailed checkpoints, scored up to 2 points each, for a maximum of 10 points per subgrade and 40 total.
Centering Thresholds
| Ratio (Front) | Score | Ratio (Back) | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 50/50 - 55/45 | 2 | 50/50 - 55/45 | 2 |
| 60/40 | 1 | 60/40 | 2 |
| 75/25 | 0 | 75/25 | 2 |
| 80/20 | 0 | 80/20 | 1 |
| 90/10 or > | 0 | 90/10 or > | 0 |
Black Diamond centering rule: To qualify for Black Diamond, centering must not exceed 55/45 on both the front and the back. Cards with 56/44 centering or worse on either side are not eligible for Black Diamond.
Scoring & Rounding
Final grade = (Total Inspection Score ÷ 4), rounded to the nearest whole number.
- Example: 39 ÷ 4 = 9.75 → rounds up to 10
- Example: 38 ÷ 4 = 9.5 → rounds down to 9
This ensures whole-number grades, with very limited tolerance for minor flaws.
Grade Scale
| Inspection Score | Grade Score | Grade Name |
|---|---|---|
| 4–7 | 1 | Extremely Poor |
| 8–11 | 2 | Poor |
| 12–15 | 3 | Heavily Damaged |
| 16–19 | 4 | Medium Damaged |
| 20–23 | 5 | Heavily Played |
| 24–27 | 6 | Lightly Played |
| 28–31 | 7 | Near Mint |
| 32–35 | 8 | Near Mint - Mint |
| 36–38 | 9 | Mint |
| 39-40 | 10 | Gem Mint |
| 40 (w/ 55/45+ Centering) | 10 | Black Diamond (Perfect) |
The Black Diamond Standard
The Black Diamond Label is Hyperfang’s highest honor.
- Only awarded to cards achieving a perfect 40/40 inspection score.
- Requires 10/10 in all subgrades.
- Centering must be 55/45 or better on both front and back.
- Issued with the exclusive Black Diamond Label, full subgrades, scans, and a QR-linked report.
With Hyperfang, every grade is backed by subgrades, a 40-point inspection, and a digital report, because collectors deserve more than a number.