Postcard grading system
We don’t use “Mint” or “Near Mint” because cards age like the rest of us … If anything isn’t clear, please ask before you order, and see notes on the “How to Order” page. Regarding Grade 1, please observe carefully: don’t expect any card with this grade to be 100% perfect, with no sign at all of age or transit through the postal system. Don’t worry, not all cards in a grade have all those issues, though they may have more than one.
1. Excellent
Never Mailed
- No significant marks
- Appropriate age discoloration
- No folds or tears
- Looks good for its age
Mailed
- All stamp(s) intact
- Original contents only; no extra notations after use, unless postal
- Little or no postmark smudging
- Appropriate aging
2.Very Good
Never Mailed
- Somewhat more age discoloration
- No significant folds or tears
- Possible minor dent(s)
- No extra marking unless intended for the card
Mailed
- All stamp(s) intact
- Some aging
- No extra notations unless intended for the card
- No significant stains, folds or tears
3. Good
Never Mailed
- Some aging
- Minor extra notation on back
- Minor wear and tear
Mailed
- At least one stamp intact
- Extra writing apart from original message
- Age discoloration
- Minor wear and tear
- Possibly mailed from a different country
- Address label
4. Fair
Never Mailed
- Inappropriate or extensive handwriting on back, front, or both
- Age discoloration
- Travel agency rubber stamp
- Undue wear and tear
- Thumbtack hole(s) possible
Mailed
- Stamp(s) torn, missing, or defaced
- Extra writing apart from original message on front, back, or both
- Message defaced
- Travel agency rubber stamp
- Significant wear and tear
- Age discoloration
- Thumbtack hole(s) possible
- Mailed but not postmarked
5. Poor
Never Mailed
- Folds, tears, or missing corner
- Significant staining
- Inappropriate writing on front, back, or both
- Space filler only
Mailed
- Stamp(s) torn, missing, or defaced
- Folds, tears, missing corner
- Message defaced
- Space filler only