12/5/24 | Conditioning Release Notes | All Product Lines | Color Shifting, Rough/Dull Edge Cuts, Yu-Gi-Oh! Gold Border Flaking, Authentication Gem Issues, Peels vs Splits, Liquid Exposure, and Linear Indents

 

12/5/24 Notes Overview:

Conditioning Release Notes are designed to keep you informed about the latest updates on how specific imperfections and defects are handled in the conditioning process for the Direct by TCGplayer program. This Release note provides an update on the color shifting found in the “Universes Beyond: Assassin’s Creed” set, as well as some clarifications on how particular kinds of imperfections are evaluated in Direct:

• Rough/Dull Edge Cuts
• Gold Border Flaking (Yu-Gi-Oh! Cards)
• Authentication Gem Issues
• “Peels” vs. “Splits”
• Liquid Exposure
• Linear Indents

 

Color Shifting (Assassin’s Creed)

Definition

We are aware that a significant number of cards from the Magic: the Gathering set “Universes Beyond: Assassin’s Creed” have a printing defect which causes the color layers to be shifted. This may cause the art to appear blurry or doubled. The severity of this shifting varies, and can range from barely noticeable to a significant shifting. The shifting is particularly noticeable in the color filling of the mana symbols and set symbols. 

How Color Shifting Impacts Condition in Direct by TCGplayer

For Direct eligibility, we are treating this defect similar to blurry text, in that the degree of shifting must be evaluated to determine impact to the card’s condition. 

• If the color of the mana symbols touches/overlaps with any adjacent symbol, it is too far and will be considered a Defect.
• If the color within the set symbol is distinctly outside of the black ink outline, it is too far and it will be considered a Defect.
• If the shifting is less than either instance, we will not consider the shifting as part of a card’s condition.

Image Examples

Below are some comparisons of cards that are acceptable (left), and ones that are noticeably shifted (right).

 

 

 

 

 

Rough/Dull Edge Cuts

Definition

A common imperfection seen on Magic: the Gathering and Pokemon cards on cards fresh out of a pack is a very thin line of whitening or “feathering” along one or more edges. These are typically due to a rough or “dull” cut as the card is being cut from its printing sheet. This whitening is typically distinct from edgewear caused by play and handling by being very thin, even, and consistent across the edge or corner.

How Rough/Dull Edge Cuts Impact Condition in Direct by TCGplayer

For the purpose of determining a card’s condition, we do not factor in rough/dull edge cuts unless they are significant enough to change the shape of the card (for example, squared corners).

Image Examples

Note the very thin line of whitening along the edge, as well as the bit of whitening on the corner. The example on the right has some “feathering”: small fibers of leftover cardstock.

 

 

Yu-Gi-Oh! Gold Border Flaking

Definition

Some Yu-Gi-Oh! sets feature cards with a gold-embossed border. This gold embossing can become chipped and/or flake off. This may happen during manufacturing, rough handling, or due to other wear. 

How Gold Border Flaking Impacts Condition in Direct by TCGplayer

This imperfection will be measured as a Fault, not as edgewear. Please note that a card can have instances of both edgewear and flaked/chipped gold borders.

 

Image Examples

This example has two “Minor” Faults on the upper-left edge.

 

This example has a “Major” Fault along most of the left border.

 

Authentication Gem Issues

Definition

Rare and Mythic Rare Magic: the Gathering cards began featuring holographic “planeswalker” gem stamps beginning with the set “Magic 2015”. Yu-Gi-Oh! Cards feature a gold or silver “Eye of Anubis” gem in the lower right corner of the card. These gems are authentication markers from the manufacturer. While there can be very minor variation in placement due to manufacturing inconsistency, on rare occasions these gem stamps can be significantly misplaced or misaligned.

How Authentication Gem Issues Impact Condition in Direct by TCGplayer

For Magic cards: If the authentication gem is just slightly offset from its typical location but still within its frame, this is acceptable in Direct. However, if the gem is offset outside of its frame or rotated, this is considered a Defect that impacts the card’s integrity and is not acceptable in Direct.

Further, a card that is missing <10% of the gem is acceptable at NM. Up to 25% missing is acceptable at LP.

For Yu-Gi-Oh! cards: If the gem is just slightly offset from its typical location but is still squarely in the corner of the card, this is acceptable. Additionally, on Gold-Border cards, the gem can sometimes be covered by the embossing. In these cases, the gem must have at least 4mm2 visible in the correct location. Otherwise, this is considered a Defect that impacts the card’s integrity and is not acceptable in Direct.

Image Examples

These gems are missing entirely; in the bottom example, you can see it would have also been shifted!

 

These gems have very small remnants visible.

 

These cards have large amounts of the gem missing, and would not be acceptable in Direct.

 

The top gem would be considered acceptable at LP (notice the rough edges indicating missing material on the left half of the gem). The bottom gem, while not 100% perfect, is acceptable at NM.

 

These gems are all misplaced and would not be acceptable in Direct.

 

Notice that these gems have slight variation in their placement; in particular, note the gems in the middle that have been partially covered by the gold embossing.

 

 

“Peels” vs. “Splits”

Definition

Cards are made out of layers of cardstock that are glued together, and through handling and wear these layers can sometimes peel or split. While similar, we wanted to make a clear distinction between them, as they impact the physical integrity of a card differently.

• A “peel” is an imperfection where the surface of the card, along the edge, is peeling and reveals a single layer of cardstock but does not reveal the glue core or multiple layers of cardstock (which indicates a “Split” - see below).
• A “split” is an imperfection where the layers of cardstock have separated and the core and/or multiple layers of cardstock are revealed; this is most often seen on the corners of cards.

How Peels and Splits Impact Condition in Direct by TCGplayer

Depending on the size of the peel, it could be considered:

• Edgewear - <2.5mm (½ grid square) in length - 1 Point - Allowable at Near Mint and below
• Fault - 2.5mm - 5mm (1 grid square) in length - 4 Points - Allowable at Moderately Played and below
• Damage - >5mm in length - Damaged

**The presence of any split will be treated as Damage, and is not allowable in Direct.**

Image Examples

The above card has a “peel”; notice that only a single layer of cardstock has been revealed beneath the attached material, which is peeling but not exposing multiple layers or the card’s glue core.

 

Both of these cards have splits.

 

 

Liquid Exposure

Definition

A card being exposed to any liquid will result in a distinct wrinkle/rippling effect on the surface of the card that is often most noticeable on the borders. If the exposure is on the edge of the card, the cardstock’s glue core will typically show through along the edge.

 

How Liquid Exposure Impacts Condition in Direct by TCGplayer

Imperfections due to liquid exposure are evaluated as a Fault. If the exposure causes additional imperfections, evaluate those imperfections as appropriate. Additionally, any staining and/or noticeable residue results in the card being Damaged.

 

Image Examples

This card was exposed to a large amount of liquid. Notice the “wrinkled” look of the border, as well as some spots where the cardstock is beginning to crack.

 

When exposed to liquids, the colored core of Magic cards typically becomes visible along the edge; it can present as either blue or purple depending on where the card was printed. It is particularly noticeable when compared to other cards, as done here. [This image has been edited slightly to make the blue more visible for demonstration.]

 

Linear Indent

Definition

A linear indent is an Indent in a straight line on a card. Since Indents are typically evaluated based on area and depth, it was previously unclear how to measure an indent like this.

How Linear Indents Impact Condition in Direct by TCGplayer

The following is how a “linear indent” like this would be evaluated:

• Not acceptable at Near Mint (like other indents beyond a pinpoint)
• Up to 20mm (4 grid squares) in length - Allowable at Lightly Played and below. (A “Minor” indent)
• >20mm and up to 50mm (10 grid squares) in length - Allowable at Moderately Played and below. (A “Moderate” indent)
• >50mm in length - Allowable at Heavily Played and below. (A “Major” indent)

Please note that if the indent shows through to the other side of the card, it is always considered at least a Moderate indent, regardless of length.

Image Example

This card has a linear indent.