The Official Grading Standards of the Psychedelic Art Exchange

Mint Posters

Mint Poster Definition – (MT90-100) A Mint poster is an unused, unrestored poster that has all paper fully intact with no signs of damage. A mint poster cannot have ANY of the following signs of damage: tapes pulls, pin holes, tears, nicks, folds or ink cracking. A Mint poster may exhibit up to three minor handling and printing flaws.

Mint posters are graded according to the number of minor flaws they exhibit from the printing process as well as minor flaws that occur after the printing process as a result of normal handling and storage.

Permitted printing flaws include “grab marks” from the printing press, centering, ink disturbances, registration and toning and other general paper or printing flaws. Permitted light handling flaws include minor corner bumps (no more than one inch when measured from corner to crease, with no white showing through) and light waviness of the paper that often occurs during routine handling and storage.
Mint 100 (MT100) A poster that is basically perfect, no real flaws of any kind.
Mint 97 (MT-97) A poster that exhibits one minor permitted flaw in the Mint category.
Mint 95 (MT-95) A poster that exhibits one or two permitted flaws in the Mint category.
Mint 93 (MT-93) A poster that exhibits two or three permitted flaws in the Mint category.
Almost Mint – (AMT89) Almost Mint posters will be free from all light damage but will exhibit too many instances of handling and printing flaws to still be considered Mint. Almost Mint posters will contain more than three of the flaws permitted in the Mint poster category, while exhibiting none of the light damage that is acceptable in the Near Mint category.

Near Mint Posters

Near Mint Definition – (NMT-80-89) Near Mint posters at first glance will exhibit the same general appearance and eye appeal of Mint posters. Upon closer inspection, a Near Mint poster will exhibit up to three instances of light damage such as pin or staple holes, tape pulls, a tiny nick or tear (less than .5 inch) or a rounded corner or fold that are not acceptable in the Mint Poster category. A single pin hole or tape pull is counted as one instance of light damage while two or more tape pulls or pin holes are counted as two instances of light damage.
Near Mint 87– (NMT87) A poster that exhibits one instance of light damage that is not acceptable in the Mint category.
Near Mint 85 – (NMT85) A poster that exhibits one or two flaws. Including light damage that is not acceptable in the Mint category.
Near Mint 83 – (NMT83) A poster that exhibits two or three flaws including light damage that is not acceptable in the Mint category.
Almost Near Mint 79 (ANMT79) Almost Near Mint posters will be free from all normal damage but will exhibit too many instances of light damage to still be considered Near Mint. Almost Near Mint posters will exhibit more than three of the flaws acceptable in the Near Mint poster category, while exhibiting none of the normal damage that is permitted in the Excellent category.

Excellent Posters

Excellent Definition – (EX-70-79) Excellent posters will exhibit a very pleasing overall appearance. Upon closer inspection, an Excellent poster will exhibit up to three flaws including normal damage that is more severe than what is acceptable in the Near Mint category. Normal damage includes tears over .5 inches in length, heavy crunching or multiple folds of the poster and minor paper loss or holes.
Excellent 77- (EX77) A poster that exhibits one instance of normal damage not acceptable in the Near Mint category.
Excellent 75 – (EX75) A poster that exhibits one or two flaws including normal damage that is not permitted in the Near Mint category.
Excellent 73 – (EX73) A poster that exhibits two or three flaws including normal damage that is not permitted in the Near Mint category.

Fine Posters

Extra Fine 65 – (XF-65) A poster that exhibits four instances of normal and light damage.
Extra Fine 60– (XF-60) A poster that exhibits five instances of normal and light damage.
Very Fine 55- (VF-55) A poster that exhibits six instances of normal and light damage.
Very Fine 50 – (VF-50) A poster that exhibits seven instances of normal and light damage.
Fine 45– (F-45) A poster that exhibits eight instances of normal and light damage.
Fine 40 – (F-40) A poster that exhibits nine instances of normal and light damage.

Good – Poor Posters

Very Good 30 – (VG30) A poster that exhibits major damage such as a large tear or hole, or other glaring defect.
Good 20– (G-20) A poster that exhibits multiple instances of major damage such as a large tears or holes or other glaring defects.
Poor 10– (P-10) A Poster that is heavily damaged and extensively worn. Will exhibit major tears, holes, creases and missing paper.

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