Matchcover and Matchbook Grading Standard
Matchbook Collectibles,
Welcome to the first ever grading and authenticating of matchbook covers. We are very pleased to present to you the first authentication and grading of matchbook collectibles. This service has been put together with the hobby in mind. This industry first service allows coveted matchbook covers to be graded, authenticated and sealed in Global Authentication’s tamper evident holder.
Perfect (10) – A matchcover that has no wear or blemishes. Corners are sharp and square. Picture/printing will be well centered and no chipping. There should be no mildew odor or staining. A matchbook will meet all of the standards of a perfect matchcover. In addition, all matches must be in their proper place with do damage, discolorations or imperfections. Feature matches will have bright colors and printing should be well centered. All must be unstruck and display vibrant colors.
Gem Mint (9.5) - This superior example exhibits no wear or blemishes. This card must possess four perfectly sharp corners and no chipping. One minor print imperfection may be allowed.
Mint (9) – Appears to have all the attributes of a Global GEM-MT 9.5. Under close examination one minor flaw, such as a small print mark, slight registration problem or minor surface problem may be evident.
NM – MT + (8.5) - Appears very similar to NM-MT but will have superior characteristics.
NM – MT (8) – Near flawless to the naked eye but upon close examination will have some minor surface, edge wear or very light wear to one or more corners. Feature matches and covers may be slightly off centered.
NM+ (7) - Appears very similar to NM but will have superior characteristics.
NM (7) - Corners will appear to square but very light wear on the tips may be evident. There may be some very minor flaws. Sticks will not be damaged. Feature matches may have very light discoloration or fading on sticks. Matchcover or book will still have a neat and presentable appearance.
EX-MT+ (6.5) - Appears very similar to EX-MT but will have superior characteristics.
EX-MT (6) – May have one or more corners displaying light corner fraying or some edge wear. May exhibit several minor flaws, including light surface scratches or loss of gloss. Matchcover or book may have a picture that is obviously off centered but not enough to distract from the overall appearance. Feature matchbooks may have some minor staining, loss of color, minor scratches on the sticks or be slightly off centered. A matchcover or book should still be unstuck at this level.
EX+ (5.5) - Appears very similar to EX but will have superior characteristics.
EX (5) – May have some very minor rounding and wear on corners. Loss of gloss and a surface wrinkle may be evident. Striker may have very light and noticeable strike marks. A book will have all matches in place but may some staining or discoloration. One or more match heads may show slight damage. Feature matchsticks may show fading, some loss of color or be noticeably off centered.
VG-EX+ (4.5) – Appears to be very similar to a VG-EX 4 but will have superior characteristics.
VG-EX (4) - May exhibit several flaws, including light corner rounding, a light crease other than manufacturers normal folds and surface imperfections. Books and feature matches in otherwise mint condition may have some sticks missing. Some mildew odor may also be present. Striker may have moderate wear.
VG+ (3.5) - Appears to be very similar to a VG-EX 4 but will have superior characteristics.
VG (3) – May have several flaws, including more noticeable rounding of the corners. Striker may show moderate use. Books and Feature matches may have several sticks missing or damaged. Cardstock or striker may have beginning signs of dry rot with stains.
GD-VG (2.5) - May exhibit major flaws, including rounded corners, a small amount of back damage or moderate creases. Appears to be very similar to a Good 2 but will have superior characteristics.
GOOD (2) – May exhibit major flaws, including heavy creasing, writing, tape, accelerated corner or striker wear. There may be a pinhole other than the normally perceived manufacturer staple areas. Books and Feature matches may have most sticks gone or advanced wear. A heavy mildew odor or stains may detract from the overall appearance. Cardstock and striker may have some dry rot.
FAIR (1.5) – May exhibit several flaws including tears and missing surface stock.
POOR (1) - May include many major flaws such as missing pieces severe striker damage and obvious defects. Dry rot may be severe and the cover or book may be close to partial disintegration.
BOBTAILED – Matchcovers that have had its striker removed, regardless of condition, will not receive a grade and will be marked as bobtailed. Unless very rare, this may have little or no value.
Subjectivity
Matchbooks and Covers differ slightly from the traditional grading standards of sportscards. Creasing, light stains and staple holes may, for the most part, be expected and considered normal. Aside from the objective findings such as cardboard and striker condition, centering, color etc., there are also some subjective factors. Overall eye appeal based on the individual grader may be a determining factor in the grading process for the following:
Matchcovers/books all have factory creases and folds. Creases and/or “spider lines” that appear to be part of the fold will be considered normal, these may or may not be both horizontal and vertical. Since every crease is different, a certain degree of subjectivity may be used when grading.
Internal staining from matches pressed against the paper is also a natural occurrence. Some degree of very light stains may be acceptable as long as it doesn’t distract from the overall appearance.
Staple holes will be found on all/most matchcovers. The removal of these staples will leave holes of various sizes. These holes and potential surrounding paper loss will be graded on an individual basis. Smaller, with little or no paper or striker loss, is better than larger. Eye appeal will be a consideration.
Will Not Grade
Evidence of trimming or altered in any way
Striker that has been re-attached, manipulated or made to appear unstruck
Salesman samples and sheets
Giants and large oversized or for which we have no holder for
