Four finishes.
One universal read.
Serialized, tamper-evident, and instantly recognizable — each finish tells collectors, dealers, and marketplaces exactly where your card or note lands.
Registry Points
Each tier earns points toward your collection score.
Know your grade at a glance
Black Gem
Projected 9.5-10
Reserved for cards that project at GEM MINT level. GCC applies the Black Gem designation — customers cannot select it.
Criteria
- —Pristine centering with minimal deviation
- —Sharp corners with no visible wear
- —Clean edges with no chipping
- —Flawless surface free of defects
Gold
NM to GEM MINT
Identifies cards exhibiting criteria for grades 7 and above. Premium high-grade cards with strong market value.
Criteria
- —Centering within acceptable tolerances
- —Corners show minimal to no wear
- —Edges are clean with negligible imperfections
- —Surface free of major defects
Green
VG-EX to EX-MT
Identifies mid-grade cards with strong collectibility. Moderate wear but retain significant value for vintage and key issues.
Criteria
- —Centering may show noticeable shift
- —Corners may show light to moderate wear
- —Edges may have minor chipping
- —Surface may show light scratches
Silver
POOR to VG
Identifies vintage and rare cards with historical significance. Notable wear but often highly sought after due to rarity.
Criteria
- —Centering may be significantly off
- —Corners show moderate to heavy wear
- —Edges may have noticeable chipping
- —Surface may show creases or staining
What we evaluate
Centering
The alignment of the card image within its borders. Measured front and back as a ratio.
Corners
The sharpness and condition of all four corners. Evaluated under magnification for precision.
Edges
The condition along all four edges. Chipping, roughness, or color loss along edges impacts grade.
Surface
Front and back surface condition including scratches, staining, and wax residue. Most critical factor.
Banknote sticker standards
For banknotes certified by PMG or PCGS, GCC applies Gold and Evergreen stickers to identify notes at the top of their assigned grade.
Gold Standard
Exceptional for given grade
Reserved for banknotes that exhibit exceptional quality within their assigned grade. Superior eye appeal, centering, and overall presentation.
- —Note quality exceeds typical examples
- —Eye appeal is exceptionally strong
- —Centering, margins, and color above average
Evergreen Standard
Market standard for given grade
Identifies notes that meet the full criteria for their assigned grade. Strong, market-standard examples with reliable quality.
Notes that do not qualify for either sticker receive no designation. Pricing for unstickered notes is 25% of the tier price.
Ready to grade your collection?
Submit your cards or banknotes and start earning registry points today.