Grades are used to evaluate the condition and quality of baseball cards. They help determine the value of a card by assessing factors like centering, corners, edges and surface. The two main grading companies that assign letter grades to cards are Beckett Grading Services (BGS) and Professional Sports Authenticator (PSA).

BGS and PSA use a 10-point scale to grade cards, with 10 being a perfect gem mint condition and 1 being extremely poor. Grades between 7-9 represent near mint to mint cards that still look fresh and in top condition right out of the pack. These higher graded cards command premium prices from collectors. Grades of 5-6.5 represent very good to lightly played cards that may have some minor defects or wear but are still highly collectible. Anything grades 4.5 or lower are considered to have more significant flaws.

Let’s look more closely at each individual grade on the 10-point scale:

A PSA/BGS gem mint grade of 10 is the highest possible designation, indicating the card looks pristine as if just pulled from a fresh pack. The corners, edges and surface must be flawless with perfect centering. These true 10 grades are incredibly rare and fetch enormous sums from avid collectors.

A 9.5 is also considered a true gem and near flawless. Very slight flaws if any might be noticed under bright lighting, but overall it looks perfect to the naked eye. These elite 9.5 graded cards can sell for thousands depending on the player and year.

A 9 is still classified as mint but slight flaws may be noticeable under close inspection. Perhaps a touch of whitening on the edges or just barely off-centered. Still phenomenally well-preserved for its age though. Valuable cards in 9 grade can sell from hundreds to low thousands.

An 8.5 represents near mint to mint condition with only very minor defects visible under close scrutiny. Still brightly colored with smooth surfaces and tight corners. Highly sought after for its eye appeal and state of preservation. Key vintage cards can often sell for mid-range four figures graded 8.5.

Continuing down, an 8 is near mint but flaws are more noticeable to the naked eye under standard lighting. Perhaps a touch more edge wear, very slight denting to the surface, or more off-centered print. Still captures the visual pop of a freshly pulled card though. Can often sell from low hundreds to a grand depending on player/year.

A 7.5 grades as very fine with noticeable flaws that don’t quite reach the near mint threshold. Edges may show more white, minor scuffing apparent, slight bends or creases possible. Still a superb example overall in bright vivid color that attracts collectors. Can sell mid-range three figures to few hundred dollars generally.

Grading at a 7 indicates fine condition with more prominent flaws readily noticeable. Edges will show wear, surface may have intermittent light scratching or scuffing, potentially measurably off-centered. Still colored brightly and considered a key vintage example. Can sell from tens to few hundred depending on several factors.

Anything 6.5 or lower represents played/good conditions with prominent flaws reducing eye appeal and state of preservation significantly versus gem mint. Edges will appear worn, surfaces scratched and discolored. Lower graded examples like 5’s or 6’s are usually only desired by enthusiastic collectors of that particular player or team rather than condition alone. Prices really vary widely in the 5-6 range.

So in summary – the grading scale of 1-10 employed by leading authentication companies like BGS and PSA provides a standardized system to objectively evaluate a vintage baseball card’s condition and appearance. The assigned grade greatly impacts the collectible and resale value based on how closely it resembles a freshly packed mint state card. Higher grades between 7-10 are most sought after and valuable.