Near Mint
Near mint (adjective): the condition tier just below mint — a card showing only the slightest handling wear under close inspection: a soft corner touch or faint surface marks, with no creases or stains. Abbreviated NM.
Near Mint in More Detail
Near mint is the workhorse grade of raw-card selling: marketplaces like TCGplayer and eBay use NM as the top routine condition tier, and most pack-fresh cards that aren't handled carefully settle here. On the graded scale, NM maps roughly to PSA 7–8 — respectable, but a long way from gem mint money.
Keeping cards NM or better is what supplies are for: a penny sleeve and toploader from the moment of the pull.
FAQ
What PSA grade is near mint?
Roughly PSA 7 (Near Mint) to PSA 8 (Near Mint-Mint) on the 10-point scale.
Near mint vs mint — what's the difference?
Mint allows essentially no visible flaws; near mint permits the slightest wear visible on close inspection, like one softly touched corner.
Related Resources
- Glossary: Gem Mint · Graded Card · Penny Sleeve
- Shop: Card Protection Supplies