ABOUT THE AFA GRADING

Once a figure is AFA graded, it is carefully cased inside one of a durable acrylic cases. It is then completely sealed from human contact, unless someone makes the conscious choice of breaking it out of the case. Therefore, your figure is kept in the same condition as it was when it was graded. It will not be touched by human hands and then hard acrylic prevents it from sustaining any additional creases, bubble dings, or other damage.

AFA Grading Scale

Description AFA Grade Abbreviation Gem Mint 100 GEM MT Mint 95 MINT Near Mint/Mint 90 NM/MT

Description AFA Grade Abbreviation Near Mint Plus 85 NM+ Near Mint 80 NM Excellent Plus/Near Mint 75 EX+/NM

Description AFA Grade Abbreviation Excellent Plus 70 EX + Excellent 60 EX Very Good 50 VG Good 40 G Fair 30 FAIR Poor 20 POOR Very Poor 10 VP

AFA Gold
The Gold level consists of the grades 100, 95, and 90. The select few figures that receive these grades are among the highest quality in existence. A very small percentage of figures submitted to AFA receive a Gold grade. The flaws are very minor, very subtle, and are sometimes very hard to identify with the naked eye. The collector who is extremely condition sensitive will be satisfied with the condition of a Gold level figure.

AFA Silver
The Silver level consists of the grades 85, 80, and 75. The figures that receive these grades are in excellent condition. A figure graded an 85 will often be referred to as ‘case fresh’ and should be very close to gold level condition. The term ‘case fresh’ is certainly justifiable as the average figure pulled from a sealed case will grade an 85 due to small flaws which occur when the figures are packaged or shipped in the case. The average figure pulled from a store shelf is usually an 80, which represents a nice speciman with minor flaws apparent upon close inspection. The final Silver level grade, a 75, represents an item with more minor flaws than the average Silver level piece. An item grading 75 does have significant wear but does not have major flaws which would draw the eye to them at first glance. For most high grade collectors, an 85 is satisfactory. For most discriminating collectors, an 80 is satisfactory. A 75 will be satisfactory to those who are not overly concerned with light stresses, small bubble imperfections, and other flaws which do not jump out at first glance. Therefore, the Silver level grades do represent a much larger range than the Gold level grades.

AFA Bronze
The Bronze level consists of the grades 70, 60, and below. The figures that receive these grades typically have damage ranging from simply noticeable upon first glance to extremely significant. The card may have creases on the front and the blister may be crushed or cracked. The Bronze level covers a large range of figure conditions and the scope of the flaws range considerably. Condition for Bronze level figures is determined by how many ‘major’ flaws are present on the card and how severe each flaw is. Bronze level figures may have major flaws such as a torn off POP or other large paper tears. Bronze level figures may not be satisfactory to condition sensitive collectors.