Raw Card

A raw card is one that has not been professionally graded, so it sits in a top-loader, sleeve, or binder rather than a sealed slab. Its condition is a matter of the owner's judgment rather than a third-party grade, which makes raw cards trade with more uncertainty than graded copies.

For tracking, a raw card should carry an honest condition description in place of a grade. Whether to leave a card raw or send it for grading is an economic decision: grading adds cost and only pays off when a strong grade would add more value than the fee, which is rarely true for inexpensive cards. Most collections are mostly raw, so a consistent way of noting condition is just as important as recording grades.