Seven stages, documented end to end
No item skips a step. Each stage is recorded against your submission so you can see exactly where your collectible is and how it was assessed.
Step into the room where the grade is decided
Five instruments do the work, in this order. Click any of them — on the desk or in the list below it — to see exactly what that tool is looking for.
Seven steps, every submission
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1
Submit your collectible
Complete a submission form, pack the item using our packaging guidance and send it to us — or hand it over in person in Baku. Every parcel is logged and photographed on arrival.
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2
Authentication inspection
Before condition is considered at all, we confirm the item is what it claims to be: print characteristics, materials, seals, dimensions and known counterfeit markers.
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3
Professional grading
A grader evaluates the item against the published criteria for its category under controlled lighting and magnification, recording each sub-factor separately.
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4
Quality control review
A second reviewer independently checks the assessment. Where the two disagree, the item is re-examined before any grade is finalised.
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5
Secure encapsulation
The item is sealed in a tamper-evident GLA holder sized for its category, with a printed label carrying the description, grade and certification number.
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6
Certification & online registration
High-resolution images and the full grading record are added to the GLA database, and the certification number becomes verifiable online and by QR code.
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7
Return shipment
The graded item is packed in protective material and shipped back insured, with tracking shared as soon as it leaves us.
A 10-point scale, applied the same way every time
Numeric grades run from 10 down to 1. Card and comic grades combine centering, corners, edges and surface; the lowest sub-factor carries the most weight.
| Grade | Designation | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| 10 | Gem Mint | Virtually flawless. Sharp corners, clean edges, full gloss and centering within the tightest tolerance. |
| 9.5 | Mint+ | Gem quality held back by one very minor factor, usually centering. |
| 9 | Mint | One small flaw visible on close inspection: a light edge nick or slight print imperfection. |
| 8 | Near Mint–Mint | Minor wear on one or two factors; still visually strong from a normal viewing distance. |
| 7 | Near Mint | Light handling evident — slight corner softness or a shallow surface scuff. |
| 6 | Excellent–Near Mint | Noticeable but modest wear; no creasing, no significant surface damage. |
| 5 | Excellent | Visible corner and edge wear, minor surface marks, presentable overall. |
| 4 | Very Good–Excellent | Rounded corners, edge wear and light creasing that does not break the surface. |
| 3 | Very Good | Clear handling wear, creasing or scuffing; item remains complete and intact. |
| 2 | Good | Heavy wear, multiple creases, possible small tears or staining. |
| 1 | Poor–Fair | Severe damage. Preserved and certified for authenticity and history rather than condition. |
When a grade carries a note
Restoration, trimming, colour touch, authentic-altered and similar findings are recorded as qualifiers on the label rather than hidden inside the number.
Items we authenticate without grading
Autographed memorabilia and certain oversized items receive an authentication result and a Certificate of Authenticity instead of a numeric grade.
If an item fails authentication
It is not encapsulated and not assigned a grade. We return it with a written explanation of what we found, at no grading charge.
Choose the turnaround that fits your timing
Turnaround is counted from the day your item is checked in, not the day you post it. Current pricing is confirmed when you submit — ask us for a quote.
Everyday collections
The default route for bulk submissions and collections being catalogued rather than sold immediately.
- Full authentication and grading
- Premium encapsulation
- Online registration and QR code
Selling or listing soon
Priority placement in the grading queue for items heading to a sale, auction or trade.
- Everything in Standard
- Priority queue placement
- High-resolution imaging included
Events & signings
Witnessed authentication and on-the-spot intake at conventions, private signings and shows.
- GLA representative present at signing
- Certificate of Authenticity issued
- Optional grading afterwards
Common questions
How should I package my item?
Put cards in a penny sleeve inside a semi-rigid holder — never a screw-down or top-loader taped shut. Comics go in a bag and board between two rigid sheets. Sealed games and diecast should be wrapped in bubble and suspended away from the box walls. Use a sturdy outer box with at least 5 cm of padding on every side.
Can I clean or press my item first?
Please don't. Cleaning, pressing and trimming are detectable and will be recorded as alterations, which lowers the grade or fails the item outright. Send it exactly as it is.
What happens if I disagree with a grade?
You can request a review. The item is re-examined by a grader who did not work on the original assessment. If the review finds an error, the grade is corrected and the item is re-encapsulated at no cost to you.
Is my item insured while you have it?
Yes. Items are insured from check-in to the moment they are handed to the return carrier. Declare an accurate value on your submission form so cover matches what you sent.
Do you grade items you cannot authenticate?
No. Authentication always comes first. If we cannot confirm an item is genuine, it is returned unencapsulated with our findings explained in writing.
Ready when you are
Start a submission and we will confirm the service level, turnaround and quote before anything is opened.