Checking baseball cards is an important part of properly grading and valuing cards in your collection. Whether you are looking to sell cards, trade them, or simply want to know their condition and estimated worth, taking the time to carefully examine each card is essential. Here are some tips for properly checking baseball cards.
The first step when checking cards is to look at the front of the card. Examine the photo and any artwork. Look for any creases, folds, scratches or other defects on the surface. Minor flaws on the front that do not break the surface are not a big deal, but any deep scratches or creases will lower the grade and value. Take note of any flaws you see on the front for later reference.
Next, check the borders of the card. Look closely along all four edges for any bends, dings or other imperfections in the border. Bent or damaged borders are a common issue that can significantly decrease a card’s grade. Again, minor flaws are acceptable but anything more severe should be noted. Hold the card up to light to check for thinned areas along edges which also hurt condition.
After inspecting the front, it’s time to flip the card over and examine the back. Look at the design and coloring for any flaws. The back tends to show wear more than the front over time so flaws are more common. Check for any creases, scratches, discoloration or stains. Edges should also be inspected closely on the back just like the front. Take your time scrutinizing every inch of the backside surface and edges under good lighting.
Once you’ve thoroughly checked the front and back surfaces, it’s time to examine the corners of the baseball card. Corners often take the most abuse over time which makes them a critical area to inspect closely. Hold the card up to light and look at each corner from multiple angles checking for any damage such as creases, folds, or chips missing pieces of the corner. Heavily rounded or damaged corners can sink a card’s grade.
After examining corners, the final area to check is the edges of the baseball card. Inspect each of the four sides under bright light looking for any flaws, dings, creases or damage to the paper surface or coating. Minor edge wear is normal on older cards but anything more severe needs to be noted. You want to leave no millimeter of the edge unchecked when grading condition.
At this point you’ve given the card a full physical inspection looking at every component piece by piece under bright light from multiple angles. Now it’s time to consider an estimated grade based on the flaws found in the inspection. Grading scales like the 1-10 scale from Beckett focus on centering, corners, edges and surface flaws with 1 being poor and 10 mint. Consider how flaws may impact each category to arrive at an estimated overall grade for the card. Taking the time for a careful physical check is what allows you to properly assess condition which is key to valuation.
Once you’ve examined a card and estimated its grade, make notes of any flaws found for future reference when valuing your collection or selling cards. Note things like creases, scratches or corner/edge flaws and where they are located on the card surface. Documenting flaws is important not just for your records, but to be transparent if selling or trading the card later. Over time, the inspection and grading experience will help train your eye to quickly identify even minor flaws that could impact a card’s worth. With practice, checking cards can become second nature for any serious collector.
There is an art to carefully examining each baseball card front and back, edge to edge under bright light. Taking the time for a full physical check allows you to accurately assess a card’s condition and grade which are essential for determining collection value. With experience, your ability to inspect cards will improve along with your knowledge of what flaws matter most. Thoroughly checking each card is the foundation for properly caring for and understanding your collection over the long run.
