Certification Standards
MBA Diamond Certification made its debut in the market in August 2000, stemming from Mike Baker's realization of a gap in grading companies concerning prices realized in the same grade. This certification offers a secondary opinion, concentrating on high-end eye-appeal cards with exceptional attributes. At first glance, these cards may seem under-graded or, at the very least, open to discussion about whether they deserve a higher grade. PSA emphasizes the importance of eye appeal in grading, stating, "The key point to remember is that the graders reserve the right, based on the strength or weakness of the eye appeal, to make a judgment call on the grade of a particular card."
Mike Baker, the first Senior Grader at PSA, is pleased to witness the evolution of the Grading Room. However, he believes that the hobby and collectors deserve more. MBA is bringing greater transparency and continuing the grading evolution by offering comprehensive details, including a digital numerical grade and a heat map, to the Diamond service.
The MBA Gold Diamond Certification aligns with the MBA Grading Scale. For example, a PSA 9 (Mint) card will be reviewed based on the MBA Mint (MT) 9 grading standards. After a ten-point inspection, if the card meets the MBA Mint+ (MT+) 9.5 standards or higher, it receives a Gold Diamond Hologram. The landing page displays high-resolution images of the front and back, a digital heat map indicating areas of major or minor damage, along with the MBA numerical grade.
If the card only meets the Mint MBA Grade Standard, it receives a Silver Diamond Hologram. The landing page showcases high-resolution images of the front and back, a digital heat map indicating areas of major or minor damage, and the MBA numerical grade, confirming Mike Baker's agreement with the grade awarded by PSA, SGC, BVG & CGC.
With over 35 years of experience and valuable industry relationships, Mike and his team aim to reintroduce the first white-glove service to the hobby and collectors. While acknowledging that this model may not be scalable to larger grading companies, MBA's mission is centered on innovation, building a highly integrated team, maintaining the highest ethics and service standards, and enabling a return on the customer's investment. This is only possible through trust and a healthy hobby environment.
Card Grading
Click your desired grade to view information about MBA standards for that value.
Black Diamond is a flawless card that exhibits no imperfections under 7x magnification. It boasts superior features such as four impeccably sharp corners, outstanding print quality, and a precisely centered image with a 50/50 alignment on the front and a reverse side within a tolerance of approximately 60/40 percent. MBA’s Team recognizes the Black Diamond Certification as the top 1% copies known in the marketplace.
This near-flawless card showcases four impeccably sharp corners and superior print quality. Minor printing imperfections are tolerable under 7x magnification. The image must maintain central positioning on the card, with a front tolerance not exceeding approximately 50/50 percent and a reverse tolerance of 60/40 percent.
Displaying nearly flawless qualities, this card boasts four perfectly sharp corners and superior print quality. A minor imperfection may be permissible, but the image must maintain central positioning, with a front tolerance not exceeding approximately 55/45 percent and a reverse tolerance of 65/35 percent.
In excellent condition, this card features four sharp corners with only a single minor flaw. Despite initial visual resemblance to a Gem Mint Card, close inspection may reveal a minor flaw. Centering requirements include 55/45 or better on the front and 75/25 or better on the reverse.
Superbly conditioned, this card showcases four sharp corners and only one minor flaw, which may become apparent upon close examination. Imperfections, such as a slight nick, small gloss break, surface scratch, minor print or refractor line, focus or color imperfection, or a small print spot, are considered. Centering must be approximately 60/40 or better on the front and 90/10 or better on the reverse.
Initially presenting itself as Mint 9 to the naked eye, this high-quality card showcases technical features akin to an (NM/MT) card, featuring exceptional print quality that allows for minor imperfections. Front centering should be 60/40 or better, and reverse centering should be 75/25 or better. Despite an initial under-grading upon first glance, the overall visual appeal surpasses examples from known print runs.
Featuring noticeable sharp corners at first glance, this card may reveal subtle signs of wear upon closer inspection. Minor flaws, such as slight wear on a corner, a gloss break, surface scratch, print line, refractor line, focus or color imperfection, or a print spot, may be uncovered. Front centering should be approximately 65/35 or better, and reverse centering should be 90/10 or better.
The card will demonstrate technical attributes similar to a (NM) card, boasting exceptional print quality that permits minor imperfections. Front centering should be 60/40 or better, and reverse centering should be 75/25 or better. Despite an initial under-grading at first glance, the overall visual appeal exceeds examples from known print runs.
Graded at 7, this card might display slight wear on three or more corners and/or have slightly rough edges. A minor imperfection, such as a slightly out-of-register image or a permissible minor diamond cut, is acceptable. Minimal wax staining is allowed on the reverse side. Front centering should be approximately 70/30 or better, and reverse centering should be 90/10 or better.
The card will demonstrate technical attributes similar to an (EX/MT) card, boasting exceptional print quality that permits minor imperfections. Front centering should be 60/40 or better, and reverse centering should be 75/25 or better. Despite an initial under-grading at first glance, the overall visual appeal exceeds examples from known print runs.
The card should display front centering of 75/25 or better and reverse centering of 90/10 or better. There is a potential for slight fuzzing of corners, more noticeable skewed cuts, and the chance of focus or register issues. Additionally, there may be slight notching along the edges. While the card might exhibit visible surface wear or a printing defect, these issues should not significantly diminish its overall appeal. A very light scratch, only discernible upon close inspection, may be present, and corners might exhibit a subtle, graduated fraying. The picture focus could be slightly out-of-register, and the card may show some loss of its original gloss. There is a possibility of a minor wax stain on the reverse side, and very slight notching on edges might be visible. Off-whiteness on borders is also a potential occurrence.
The card will demonstrate technical attributes similar to an (EX) card, boasting exceptional print quality that permits minor imperfections. Front centering should be 60/40 or better, and reverse centering should be 75/25 or better. Despite an initial under-grading at first glance, the overall visual appeal exceeds examples from known print runs.
The card should exhibit front centering of 80/20 or better and reverse centering of 90/10 or better. It will display minor rounding or fuzzing of corners and slight roughness or chipping along the edges (with no layering). On one side of the card, there may be one very slight surface or "spider" crease. The surface gloss may be lost, accompanied by some scratching that does not significantly detract from the card's aesthetics. Additionally, there is a subtle emergence of very minor rounding of the corners, making surface wear or printing defects more visible. Minor chipping on the edges might be present, and the loss of the original gloss becomes more apparent. The picture focus might be slightly out-of-register, and several light scratches could be visible upon close inspection, though they do not diminish the overall appeal of the card. Some off-whiteness on the borders may be evident
The card will demonstrate technical attributes similar to a (VG-EX+) card, boasting exceptional print quality that permits minor imperfections. Front centering should be 60/40 or better, and reverse centering should be 75/25 or better. Despite an initial under-grading at first glance, the overall visual appeal exceeds examples from known print runs.
The card should exhibit front centering of 85/15 or better and reverse centering of 90/10 or better. The card's corners may exhibit slight rounding with modest surface wear, including light scuffing or scratches. Some original gloss will still be present, and borders may appear slightly off-white. A faint crease might be observable. Additionally, there may be a light hairline crease on one or both sides, and a minimal tear or surface break might be present.
The card will demonstrate technical attributes similar to a (VG) card, boasting exceptional print quality that permits minor imperfections. Front centering should be 60/40 or better, and reverse centering should be 75/25 or better. Despite an initial under-grading at first glance, the overall visual appeal exceeds examples from known print runs.
The card should exhibit front centering of 85/15 or better and reverse centering of 90/10 or better. Corners exhibit a slight increase in rounding without reaching an extreme level. There is noticeable surface wear, including potential light scuffing or scratches. The focus may be somewhat off-register, and edges show observable wear. While retaining some original gloss, a significant portion is lost. Borders may show signs of yellowing and/or discoloration, and a visible crease is present. Possible printing defects are acknowledged, and a slight stain may be visible on the obverse, with more pronounced wax staining on the reverse. Overall, there is a diminished focus, registration, and heightened visibility of discoloration and staining.
The card will demonstrate technical attributes similar to a (G) card, boasting exceptional print quality that permits minor imperfections. Front centering should be 60/40 or better, and reverse centering should be 75/25 or better. Despite an initial under-grading at first glance, the overall visual appeal exceeds examples from known print runs.
The card should exhibit front centering of 90/10 or better and reverse centering of 90/10 or better. This card usually shows pronounced rounding of corners and evident surface wear, with potential signs of scratching, scuffing, light staining, or chipping of enamel on the obverse. Multiple creases may be visible, and the original gloss is frequently entirely absent. Considerable discoloration is observable. Furthermore, the card may display one or more of the following features: heavy print spots, prominent creases, pinholes, color or focus imperfections, surface scuffing or tears, rounded and/or fraying corners, ink or pencil markings, and a partial or complete lack of original gloss.
The card will demonstrate technical attributes similar to a (G) card, boasting exceptional print quality that permits minor imperfections. Front centering should be 60/40 or better, and reverse centering should be 75/25 or better. Despite an initial under-grading at first glance, the overall visual appeal exceeds examples from known print runs.
The card should exhibit front centering of 90/10 or better and reverse centering of 90/10 or better. Typically, a card with a Fair grade will display extreme wear, potentially impacting the framing of the picture. The surface of the card will show advanced stages of wear, including scuffing, scratching, pitting, chipping, staining, and the presence of one or more heavy creases. The picture may be noticeably out-of-register, and the borders could have become brown and dirty. Pinholes may also be present. To attain a Fair grade, the card must remain fully intact, even if heavily worn. However, it cannot achieve this grade if it is missing solid pieces due to a major tear, removal of the back layer, or an entire corner. Additionally, the card may manifest characteristics such as heavy print spots, color or focus imperfections, surface scuffing or tears, rounded and/or fraying corners, ink or pencil markings, a lack of some or all original gloss, and small portions of the card may be missing.