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NM-MT means “Near Mint-Mint” and is a grading term commonly used for trading cards to describe a particular condition. A NM-MT card is close to being perfect, but not quite, with minor flaws that are visible to the naked eye upon close inspection.
Every grading company has a different definition and grading scale. For instance, PSA says a NM-MT is deserving of an “8” grade, which is two levels away from perfection as “gem mint.” BGS also says an “8” is NM-MT, but because of their grading scale, is four levels below their “perfect” grade which is called “pristine.”
While “Near Mint-Mint” might sound like a card in pretty good condition, there is a significant different in value between a “gem mint” and/or “pristine” card, which show no flaws. Flaws on a NM-MT card might include slight wear on the edges, minor printing imperfections, or other minuscule blemishes. In total, a card is graded on its corners, surface, edges, and centering.
PSA grading scale include:
- GEM-MT 10 – Gem Mint
- MINT 9 – Mint
- NM-MT 8 – Near Mint-Mint
- NM 7 – Near Mint
- EX-MT 6 – Excellent-Mint
- EX 5 – Excellent
- VG-EX 4 – Very Good-Excellent
- VG 3 – Very Good
- GOOD 2 – Good
- FR 1.5 – Fair
- PR 1 – Poor
BGS grading scale includes:
- BGS 10 – Pristine
- BGS 9.5 – Gem Mint
- BGS 9 – Mint
- BGS 8.5 – Near Mint-Mint+
- BGS 8 – Near Mint-Mint
- BGS 7.5 – Near Mint+
- BGS 7 – Near Mint
- BGS 6.5 – Excellent-Mint+
- BGS 6 – Excellent-Mint
- BGS 5.5 – Excellent+
- BGS 5 – Excellent
- BGS 4.5 – Very Good-Excellent+
- BGS 4 – Very Good-Excellent
- BGS 3.5 – Very Good+
- BGS 3 – Very Good
- BGS 2.5 – Good+
- BGS 2 – Good
- BGS 1.5 – Fair
- BGS 1 – Poor
