Autograph Grading Criteria

A Near Mint 8 is a super high-end autograph that may appear to qualify as a Mint 9 at first glance but upon closer inspection, the autograph may exhibit one or more of the following: A slightly more noticeable skip in the autograph (though still very minor in nature) slightly inferior boldness of the autograph or very slight fading (the autograph must still be completely legible and intact), or some other aesthetic issue such as undesirable location if the location of the autograph hinders the eye appeal of the autograph, slightly, in some way. For example, a very light bleed on one of the letters may be acceptable if minor or some very minor unevenness to the signature if the uneven nature of the autograph is limited to a small area - no greater than approximately 20% of the signature. A very light retrace, by the original signer, may be acceptable.

A Very Good 7 is a very strong autograph that may suffer from one or more of the following: The signature, while still entirely visible to the naked eye, may exhibit some minor degree of even fading to the entire signature. A minor blemish or the existence of wear on the actual autograph may be acceptable within the VG 7 grade. Slightly more significant skipping or bleeding may be present, however, still insignificant to the overall presentation. Any other aesthetic flaw that may hinder the eye appeal may be allowable. For example, an autograph that extends more noticeably into an undesirable area of a photo such as a darkened background. In addition, a very slight retrace, by the original signer, may be acceptable.

A 6 is a very presentable autograph that may suffer from one or more of the following: The signature, though entirely legible to the naked eye, may exhibit some degree of even fading to the entire signature - more so than would be acceptable for a VG 7. A minor blemish to one of more of the letters may be acceptable if the balance of the autograph is considerably strong for the grade. Slightly more advanced degrees of skipping or bleeding may be present in comparison to the allowable tolerance for a VG 7. In addition, a very slight retrace, by the original signer, may be acceptable. The location of the autograph may also be a more significant issue within this grade if the display quality is hindered in a more dramatic way.

With EX 5 autographs; aging is becoming evident. The autograph, by this stage, has lost the luster of a bold autograph but it can still be deciphered with the naked eye. Smudging in a limited area of the autograph may be present along with more advanced stages of fading or skipping with possible blemishes in a few minor areas. The presentation of a EX 5 autograph is still clear but the defects have begun to affect the eye appeal in a more obvious way. In addition, a more significant retrace, though still limited to approximately 25% or less of the signature, by the original signer, may be acceptable.

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With EX 5 autographs; aging is becoming evident. The autograph, by this stage, has lost the luster of a bold autograph but it can still be deciphered with the naked eye. Smudging in a limited area of the autograph may be present along with more advanced stages of fading or skipping with possible blemishes in a few minor areas. The presentation of a EX 5 autograph is still clear but the defects have begun to affect the eye appeal in a more obvious way. In addition, a more significant retrace, though still limited to approximately 25% or less of the signature, by the original signer, may be acceptable.

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