Grading Philosophy

Slabs are finished statements, not flexible pieces.

Binders = gallery walls Slabs = framed originals

A card is graded when it is considered final.

Slab Roles

Every graded card must have one clear role:

CROWN_ART

Best art version of a card; grade supports presentation.

DEFINITIVE_[POKEMON]

The canonical version of a Pokemon in the collection.

HISTORICAL

Vintage, first appearances, culturally significant cards.

LIQUID

Investment or trade-focused slabs; no emotional attachment.

Physical Organization

Tier A — Display

• Crown art & historical icons
• Few at a time
• Rotated intentionally

Tier B — Archive Cases

• Pokemon-definitive slabs
• Sorted by Pokemon → Era → Grade

Tier C — Slab Boxes

• Liquid / duplicate slabs
• Stored upright, labeled, replaceable

What Gets Graded

Grade if:

• It completes a Pokemon story
• It is the best version you plan to own
• It is vintage and condition-sensitive
• You would be annoyed owning it raw

Do not grade if:

• You enjoy rearranging it
• The card relies on binder flow
• It is easily replaceable modern filler

Authority Rules

• Graded copy becomes canonical
• Art-first cards favor binders
• Pokemon completion may favor slabs
• No duplication unless purpose-driven

End-State Vision

• Binders: Evolving, expressive, personal
• Slabs: Stable, intentional, declarative
• Storage: Minimal emotional clutter

Grading is not about plastic — it is about declaring a card finished.