Grading Scale
SMC SUPER MINT 10: A SMC Super Mint 10 pack is practically a perfect pack that will show superb wrap centering, flawless corners and edges, great eye appeal, and free of any dents, holes, tears or wear of any kind (including not having any wear to the corner folds). The pack seal on the reverse must be undisturbed and free of any soiling or discolor. The sealed folds on the reverse must also lay "flat" to the pack and not exhibit any gapping from the seal. In addition, the pack must show "factory freshness" in appearance and free of any damage to the wrapper or gum. There can be a small printing imperfection as long as the pack shows overall great eye appeal on the front and back.
SMC GEM MINT 9.5: Gem Mint. A SMC 9.5 Gem Mint pack appears to have all the qualities of an SMC Super Mint 10 pack but it may show one of the following flaws: a slight touch of wear on one corner (absent a hole or tear in the wrapper), very light surface marks, very minor soiling of the seal/wrap on the reverse or a slight centering imperfection to the wrap. In addition, the pack must look "like new" in appearance, centered wrapping and free of any damage to the wrapper or gum.
SMC MINT 9: Mint. A SMC 9 Mint pack is a pack that has similar qualities to an SMC Gem Mint 9.5 pack but it may have one or more of the following flaws: very minimal wear at one corner, some wrinkling in the front/back surface of the wax/cellophane wrapping, no holes or tears front/back on surface wrapper. Seal must be intact, a slight centering imperfection to the factory wrap, some slight wax/soiling on back. In addition, the pack must look "like new" in appearance and free of any damage to the wrapper or gum.
SMC NM-MT+ 8.5 : Near-Mint Mint+. A SMC NM-MT 8.5 pack is a pack that shows similar qualities to an SMC Mint 9 pack but it may have one or more of the following flaws: there may be minor wear on two corners, a very small pin-hole sized tear on the corners or edges, minor wrinkling, light soiling on the seal, and/or small staining. Small factory surface holes, small surface defects on back may also be present and slight factory mis-wrapping.
SMC NM-MT 8: Near-Mint Mint. A SMC NM-MT 8 pack is a pack that shows similar qualities to an SMC Mint 8.5 pack but it may have one or more of the following flaws: there may be some wear on two to three corners, a few pin-hole sized tears on the corners or edges, some wrinkling, some soiling on the seal, and/or some staining front/back. Small surface factory holes or tears on back may also be present and slight factory mis-wrapping.
SMC NMT+ 7.5: Near-Mint+. A SMC Near Mint+ 7.5 pack is a pack that shows similar qualities to an SMC Near-Mint Mint 8 pack but it may have one or more of the following flaws: there is wear on two to three corners, pin-hole sized tears on the corners or edges, some wrinkling, some soiling on the back seal, and/or staining. Small surface factory holes or tears on front/back may also be present and obvious factory mis-wrapping.
SMC NMT 7: Near Mint. A SMC Near Mint 7 pack is a pack that has similar qualities to an SMC NM+ 7.5 pack but it may have one or more of the following flaws: Wear may be present on all four corners and/or the pack may show light tearing on multiple corners. In addition, the pack may show light tears on the edges of the wrapper, multiple wrinkles on the surface of the wax/cellophane wrapper along with other types of small surface defects/soiling.
SMC EX-MT 6: Excellent- Mint. A SMC Ex-MT 6 pack is a pack that shows similar qualities to an SMC NMT 7 but it may contain one of more of the following flaws: Wear is present on all four corners along with one or two clear corner tears and/or edge tears, dents, wrinkling & general surface wear. Pack may show staining or discoloration on the wrapper. Significant mis-wrapping may be present also.
SMC EX 5: Excellent. A SMC Ex 5 pack is a pack that shows similar qualities to an SMC Ex-MT 6 pack but it may have one of more of the following flaws: Wear is present on all four corners along with one or two clear corner tears and/or edge tears, dents, wrinkling & heavier wear. A pack may show staining or discoloration on the wrapper, possibly due to water damage. Significant mis-wrapping may be present also.
SMC VG-EX 4: Very Good-Excellent. A SMC VG-EX 4 pack is a pack that shows similar qualities to a SMC EX 5 but it may possess one or more of the following flaws: Heavy wear will be present on all four corners along with holes and/or tears on the corners and edges. Tearing to one edge may be acceptable. Significant wrinkling may be present. The seal may be misaligned and partly raised but original seal must remain intact. The surface of the pack may have some discoloration, staining or soiling, possibly due to water damage. Significant mis-wrapping may be present also.
SMC VG 3: Very Good. A SMC VG 3 pack is a pack that shows similar qualities to an SMC VG-EX 4 but it may posses additional flaws such as moderate tears on all four corners and denting or holes along the edges. The seal may be heavily worn and the pack may be soiled. The surface can be discolored, stained and have heavy water damage that begins to bleed from the surface of the wrapper into the edges of the pack. Significant mis-wrapping & wrinkling may be present also.
SMC Good 2: Good. A SMC Good 2 pack is a pack that shows similar qualities to a SMC VG 3 but it may possess additional severe damage. Major tears and denting or holes may appear on all four corners and along the edges. Significant surface wear is visible. The corners and edges of the contained cards may be exposed.
SMC PR-FR 1: Poor to Fair. A SMC PR-FR 1 pack is a pack that shows similar qualities to a SMC Good 2 but it may have additional severe damage. Water and/or soil damage may be present where it has seeped into the pack itself, affecting the cards contained within. In fact, the pack may show signs of warping as a result of water damage. Cards may also look "stuck" together. The wrapper may not be completely legible from staining, discoloration or other wear and tear but it must remain legible enough to determine authenticity.