Card Conditions Explained: NM, LP, MP, HP, DMG
Condition is the single biggest factor in what a trading card is worth after the card itself. Here's what each grade actually means, how we grade at Multi∞Verse, and what you should expect when a card arrives.
Why condition matters so much
Two copies of the same card can differ in price by half or more purely on condition. A Near Mint copy of a chase card is a collectible; a Heavily Played copy of the same card is a playable. Neither is wrong to buy, but you should know exactly which one you're paying for. That's why every single card we sell on our singles pages states its condition in the listing.
The five-grade scale below is the industry standard used by most card marketplaces worldwide. Different stores draw the lines in slightly different places, which is why it matters how conservatively a store grades. More on that further down.
The five grades
NM (Near Mint)
Essentially flawless. Clean front and back, sharp corners, no edge whitening, no scratches under normal light. "Near" Mint rather than Mint because almost no card is truly perfect. Even pack-fresh cards can have tiny print lines, edge nicks from the factory cut, or centering quirks. If you pulled it, sleeved it immediately and never shuffled it, it's probably NM.
LP (Lightly Played)
Very minor wear that you have to look for: a touch of whitening on one or two edges, a faint surface mark, slight corner softening. Not visible at arm's length, and effectively invisible once sleeved. LP is where value hunters shop. You pay a real discount for wear you'll rarely notice.
MP (Moderately Played)
Visible wear: light scratching across the surface, noticeable edge wear, scuffing or minor whitening on several edges. Still structurally sound: no creases through the card, no tears. An MP card looks played because it usually was. Great for decks, less so for display.
HP (Heavily Played)
Significant wear you can see instantly: heavy scratching, creasing, major edge and corner damage. The card is complete and recognisable but has clearly lived a hard life. HP copies of expensive cards are a legitimate budget option for players who just need the card in a sleeve.
DMG (Damaged)
Severe damage: tears, deep creases, water damage, ink or writing. DMG cards trade for a fraction of NM price and are bought almost exclusively as placeholders or oddities. A damaged vintage card can still be worth owning; a damaged modern common is bulk.
Condition vs price: rough rules of thumb
There is no official discount schedule, because prices are set by what buyers will pay. But the market has settled into rough conventions, and they're a useful sanity check when you're comparing listings:
| Grade | Typical wear | Typical price vs NM |
|---|---|---|
| NM (Near Mint) | Essentially flawless; at most microscopic imperfections | Full market price |
| LP (Lightly Played) | Minor edge whitening or faint surface marks; invisible at arm’s length | Roughly 10–15% below NM |
| MP (Moderately Played) | Visible wear: light scratching, edge wear, minor scuffs; structurally sound | Roughly 20–35% below NM |
| HP (Heavily Played) | Significant wear: heavy scratching, creasing or major edge damage | Roughly 40–60% below NM |
| DMG (Damaged) | Severe damage: tears, deep creases, water damage, writing | Half of NM or less |
Two caveats. First, rarer and older cards hold value better in low grades, because collectors tolerate wear on a card that's hard to find at all. Second, the discounts compress on cheap cards: nobody prices a R10 common five different ways.
How Multi∞Verse grades
Conservatively, and by hand. Every single card that goes onto the site is checked by a person, front and back, under good light, before it's listed. We don't grade from stock photos and we don't assume pack-fresh means Near Mint. If a card sits on the border between two grades, we list it at the lower grade. We'd rather you open the parcel and think the card is better than described than the other way around.
If you're buying a specific card and condition really matters to you (say you're considering it for grading), email us before you order and we'll send photos of the exact copy you'd receive. For cards where condition is certified by a third party, browse our graded slabs instead, and read our guide to graded cards for how those scales work.
What to expect as a buyer
- NM purchases should look pack-fresh. Tiny factory imperfections (print lines, minor centering) are normal and don't disqualify NM.
- LP purchases may show one small flaw when you inspect closely. Sleeved, they present as clean.
- MP and below will show honest wear. That's the deal: you're trading appearance for price.
- Every card ships sleeved and protected. If anything arrives not matching its described condition, contact us within 24 hours and we'll make it right.
Frequently asked questions
What does NM (Near Mint) mean on a trading card?
Near Mint means the card is essentially flawless to the naked eye: clean surfaces, sharp corners, no whitening on the edges and no scratches visible under normal light. It may have one or two microscopic imperfections from the printing or packing process, because almost no card is truly perfect straight from the pack. NM is the standard condition for cards pulled and sleeved immediately.
Is a Lightly Played (LP) card still worth buying?
Usually, yes. LP cards have only minor wear: light edge whitening or a small surface mark you have to hunt for. In a sleeve, most LP cards are indistinguishable from NM. If you are buying to play, or to collect without grading ambitions, LP is often the best value on the market because you pay a real discount for wear you will rarely notice.
How does Multi∞Verse grade card conditions?
Every single card we list is checked by a person under good light, front and back, before it goes on the site. We grade conservatively: if a card sits on the border between two grades, we list it at the lower grade. The condition is stated on every singles listing, and if you want photos of a specific card before buying, ask us and we will send them.
How much cheaper are played cards compared to Near Mint?
There is no fixed rule, but common market convention prices LP at roughly 10–15% below NM, MP at roughly 20–35% below, HP at roughly 40–60% below, and DMG at half price or less. Rarer and older cards tend to hold value better in lower grades than modern bulk does, because collectors tolerate wear on cards that are hard to find at all.
Keep reading: Buying Pokémon Cards in South Africa · PSA & Graded Cards · Sealed vs Singles. Or browse singles by set and all products.