How to grade One Piece cards: the complete guide

The game is recent: most cards were opened not long ago, and many are still in excellent condition. Now is the right time to lock in that condition before handling, heat and humidity take their toll.

• Authenticity: the most expensive cards are also the most copied. A graded card has been checked before being graded.
• Resale: a buyer sees the card's condition at a glance thanks to the grade, and can check the certificate online.
• Protection: the sealed slab protects the card from knocks, dust and fingers.

Any card can be graded, but not every card gains from it. The cards that gain the most value once graded are usually:

• Alternate arts (parallels): same number as the regular card, but different artwork and a special finish.
• Manga Rares: illustrated like a manga page, they are among the most sought-after cards in the game.
• SEC (Secret Rare) and SP cards: pulled in small numbers from booster packs.
• Alternate art Leaders, especially those of the most popular characters.
• Some promo cards (P) handed out at tournaments or events.

Commons (C) and uncommons (UC) are rarely worth the cost of grading, except for a personal collection or a card that means a lot to you. To decide, compare the sale price of the graded card, the price of the raw card, and the cost of grading: from 384 ฿ (≈ $11) per card at TGP.

Each card has a code showing its set and number. This is the code to copy into your order:

• OP + digits for booster sets (for example OP01-120), ST for starter decks (for example ST01-001), P for promos.
• The rarity is printed next to the number: C, UC, R, SR, SEC, L (Leader), SP…
• An alternate art often has the same number as the regular version: add “alternate” or “Manga” to the card name.
• State the language: Japanese, English or other. The grade and the price are the same, and the language is shown on the label.

Before sending a card, look at it under good light while tilting it. On One Piece cards, the most common defects are:

• Surface: the shiny and textured finishes of alternate arts easily show scratches, fingerprints and print lines.
• Centering: compare the left and right, top and bottom borders, on the front and the back. An off-center frame often costs half a point or more.
• Corners and edges: a small knock when opening the pack or a tight binder pocket is enough to mark them.
• Curling: with humidity, some shiny cards bow slightly. Store them flat, with silica gel packs.

Don't clean a card or try to flatten it before sending: rubbing or pressure can create new defects.

As with Pokémon, fake One Piece cards exist, especially Manga Rares, SECs and alternate art Leaders. Be careful if:

• The price is far below recent sales of the same card.
• The colors are dull or oversaturated, or the text looks blurry.
• The shiny finish or texture doesn't look like that of a card bought in a store.
• The seller refuses to send sharp photos of the front and back.

At TGP, authenticity is checked before any grade. If a card is confirmed counterfeit, we let you know and return it ungraded.

Put each card in a soft sleeve, then in a toploader or semi-rigid holder. Place everything in a padded envelope or small box, and use tracked shipping.

• Price: from 384 ฿ (≈ $11) per card, for every set and every language.
• Turnaround: Standard 30 business days, Express 15 business days, VIP 24–48 business hours, not including delivery.
• Return: within Thailand by EMS (1–3 business days) and to neighboring countries by ePacket, with a tracking number.