Card condition explained: NM, EX, GD, LP, PL and PO
What the condition codes on Magic cards mean, how much they move the price, and when it pays to pick a copy in lower grade.
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Every store and marketplace states the condition of used singles with a two-letter code. The codes mean roughly the same thing everywhere, but the boundaries are drawn slightly differently — and the difference between NM and GD on the same card is often a third of the price.
The condition grades
| Code | Means | Wear | Price vs NM |
|---|---|---|---|
| MT / M | Mint | Perfect, straight from the pack | +0–10 % |
| NM | Near Mint | As good as new, no visible wear | reference |
| EX | Excellent | Light wear, visible up close | −10–20 % |
| GD / LP | Good / Light Played | Clear white edges, small scratches | −20–40 % |
| PL / PLD | Played | Heavy wear, may have a slight bend | −40–60 % |
| PO | Poor | Damage, heavy bend, water damage or tears | −60–80 % |
The percentages are rules of thumb from the European market. On cheap cards the difference in kroner is negligible; on a 2,000 kr card the jump from NM to GD is several hundred.
What to pick
- If you are going to play with the card: buy GD or EX. In a sleeve it looks the same across the table, and you save significantly on expensive cards.
- If you are collecting or reselling: stick to NM. Condition is what holds the value for the day you part with the card again.
- Foil cards: always check whether curling or clouding in the foil is noted. Foil tolerates moisture worse than ordinary cards, and the damage is permanent.
How the Norwegian stores state condition
Practice varies. Tryllepapp sorts cards by condition and states the code per variant, so you can pick a cheaper copy. Cardmarket sellers state condition per card, and in practice that is the seller's own assessment. Several of the other stores mostly sell NM and do not state it explicitly.
Kortjakt shows the condition code in the search result wherever the store states it, so you can see whether a low price is a better deal or a worse card.
Looking after your cards
Sleeves are the cheapest thing you can do to keep the value: a pack costs less than a hundred kroner and prevents exactly the edge wear that separates NM from GD. Cards you are not playing with should sit in a binder or box, upright, away from sunlight and moisture. A toploader or magnetic holder is worth it on cards above a few hundred kroner.
Frequently asked questions
- What does NM mean on Magic cards?
- NM stands for Near Mint and means the card is as good as new: no visible scratches, white edges or bends. It is the highest grade in ordinary trading, and the most expensive. Most cards straight out of a pack are NM.
- What is the difference between EX, GD and LP on Magic cards?
- EX (Excellent) has light wear visible up close. GD (Good) and LP (Light Played) mean clear wear — white edges, small scratches — but the card is entirely playable in a sleeve. The price difference from NM is typically 10–20 % for EX and 20–40 % for GD/LP.
- Can you use worn cards in tournaments?
- Yes, as long as the card is recognisable and cannot be told apart from other cards in the deck when face down. If the wear is uneven enough to mark the card, the whole deck must use opaque sleeves. Cards with a bend that makes them recognisable in a sleeve can be rejected by a judge.
- Is it worth buying cards in worse condition?
- Usually yes, if you are going to play with the card. A GD copy in a sleeve looks identical across the table and costs 20–40 % less. If you are collecting, or plan to resell later, NM holds its value best.