Collector Point has put together this 10 point grading system for determining the condition and collect ability of decorative plates. In parenthesis you will find the abbreviation and point value for each grade. We will use the following terms to describe the individual pieces...
Plate: The actual plate, plaque, tile, etc..
Outer Box: Sometimes referred to as the shipping box, this is the outermost box used in packaging.
Inner Box: The inner container that holds the plate. This could be a cardboard box, Styrofoam shell or decorative case. In many cases there will be no inner box and the outer box will be the only container for the plate.
Sleeve: The protective sleeve, normally a plastic sheath, around the plate.
Certificate: The certificate of authenticity, if one has been issued with the plate.
Inserts: The advertising pamphlets or fliers inserted by the manufacturer.
New/Mint Grades
All New and Mint graded plates will come with the original outer box, inner box, sleeve, certificates and inserts
New in Box (nib-10):
This plate will never have been displayed and will be free from any cracks, scratches, scuffs and wear. The outer and inner box may have been opened to inspect the
condition of the contents. The outer box may show minimal signs of wear and stress during shipping and storage, however there will be no signs of staining, damage
or repair. The inner box will be in pristine condition, with no visible signs of stress, staining or damage. The sleeve will be free of any rips or tears.
The certificate and inserts will be clean and crisp with writing still sharp. The plate and all packaging material will be in the condition it was received from
the manufacturer.
Mint (m-9):
This plate will never have been displayed and will be free from any cracks, scratches, scuffs and wear. The outer and inner box may have been opened to inspect the
condition of the contents. The outer box may show moderate signs of wear and stress during shipping and storage, however there will be no signs of staining, damage
or repair. The inner box may show minimal signs of wear from storage and handling, however there will be no visible signs of stress, staining or damage. The sleeve
will be free of any rips or tears. The certificate and inserts will be clean and crisp with writing still sharp.
Near Mint (nm-8):
This plate may have been displayed and will be free from any cracks, scratches, scuffs and wear. The outer box may show moderate signs of wear and stress during shipping
and storage, however there will be no signs of staining, damage or repair. The inner box may show moderate signs of wear from storage and handling, however there
will be no visible signs of stress, staining or damage. The sleeve will be free of any rips or tears. The certificate and inserts will be clean and crisp with
writing still sharp, however there may be some minimal signs of handling.
Fine Grades
All Fine graded plates will come with the original inner box and certificate
Very Fine (vf-7):
This plate may have been displayed and will be free from any cracks, scratches, scuffs and wear. The inner box may show moderate signs of wear from storage and
handling, however there will be no visible signs of stress, staining or damage. The certificate will be clean and crisp with writing still sharp, however there
may be some minimal signs of handling.
Fine (f-6):
This plate may have been displayed and will be free from any visible cracks, scratches, scuffs and wear. The inner box may show moderate signs of wear from storage
and handling with minimal signs of stress, staining or damage. The certificate will be clean and crisp with writing still sharp, however there may be some minimal
signs of handling.
Good Grades
All Good graded plates may or may not come with the original packaging, certificates or inserts.
Very Good (vg-5):
This plate may have been displayed and will be free from any visible cracks, scratches, scuffs and wear.
Good (g-4):
This plate may have been displayed and may have minimal wear, however it will be free from any visible cracks, scratches, scuffs.
About Good (ag-3):
This plate may have been displayed and may have minimal wear, scratches or scuffs, however it will be free from any cracks or chipping.
Fair and Poor Grades
All Fair and Poor graded plates may or may not come with the original packaging, certificates or inserts.
Fair (fr-2):
This plate will show signs of moderate wear, scratches or scuffs, however it will be free from any cracks or chipping.
Poor (p-1):
This plate will show signs of heavy wear, cracks and chips. Only the rarest pieces would still be considered collectible in this condition.
