Grading
Raw card
A raw card is one that has not been professionally graded or slabbed. Most cards are raw, and whether to grade them depends on their condition and value.
Raw simply means ungraded: the card is loose or in a sleeve or toploader, not sealed in a grader's slab. Buying raw means judging condition yourself, which carries more risk than buying a graded card.
Many collectors buy raw to try to find cards that will grade gem mint, a practice sometimes called cracking and regrading when applied to already-slabbed cards.
Why it matters: raw cards are cheaper and faster to buy and sell, but a raw card's value hinges on its true condition, so for expensive cards buyers often prefer the certainty of a grade.
This glossary is a plain-language reference for collectors, not financial or purchasing advice. Card values move, so always check recent sales before you buy or sell.