HOW I GRADE: Using common terminology it would be, mint, near mint, excellent and very good. I rarely list anything below very good and then only if it’s scarce. Excellent condition is not another way to say mint or even near mint. I sell mostly vintage things that have been used. The top of the scale would be mint but I don’t use this grade. Nothing I sell is from a distributor so even if it’s recent, once I open it, examine it, put my finger prints on it, it’s really not new. There is never a warrantee beyond my personal guarantee which is rock solid. Very few vintage items are even near mint as there are nearly always minor signs of use. I might grade near mint if perfect and perhaps only one nick. Excellent condition is an item that has been used, shows it, yet was well cared for. Excellent overall condition is a notch down and may have a few more physical flaws which will be described. Very good condition is not intended to fool you. This term appears in virtually all collectible guide books. Very good is much less good.