ATI Grading

Accurate grading is absolutely essential to collectors because pricing is based on scarcity, availability and demand. Our graded collectables are accessible via our online vault archive. Each and every individual professionally graded item has a unique ATi serial number where it can be then verified for it´s grade, date, serial number, manufacturer, country of origin and characteristics to clarify it´s authenticity.

All of our labels are tamper evident, so when removed it leaves part of the label behind on the surface to which they were affixed to.  They also cannot be removed without ruining the product.

We do not grade items that have been restored nor items that have been interferred with in any way shape or form, as this does not fit into our grading system. ATi’s grading is accurate and to the highest standard, which serves as a yardstick that collector´s, dealers, enthusiasts and industry alike can refer to. Items are examined and evaluated by our panel of experts in a controlled enviroment that insures each individual item under scrutiny is properly graded from a perfect 10 downwards.

Cardback/Box
The backer card will be judged against hanger punch tab missing, creasing, bending, rolling, tearing, scuffing, scratching, lifting, missing card layers, print marks, writing, loss of gloss, soiling, rough areas, discolouring, fading, factory colour production, edge wear, nicks, punctures, ink, foreign markings, peg hole punches, cellotape, repairs, price sticker, sticker tear, sticker residue, abcent proof of purchase, water damage, bubbling, heat damage, warping and attached foreign objects.

Figure/Vehicle
The actual item will be considered mint unless there exists a defect that detracts from its overall eye appeal. Defects include paint wear, discoloration, over-spray, fading, white fungus, figure frosting, dismemberment and loose weapon inside. If the item comes with a collector coin, trading card or other insert, they will also be rated against overall condition.

Blister/Window
The blister/perspex window will be judged against cardboard insert platform or weapon(s)/accessories loose inside, dents, scratches, fading, yellowing, clouding, sticker residue, tearing, cuts, lifting, soiling, rub marks, crushing, gluing , factory cut and foreign items.

Price Stickers
Price stickers are not considered major flaws, but only become a factor if curling, tearing, staining, picking, etc. of the sticker has occurred. The location of the sticker is also a factor, though most are placed in an area such as a corner that does not affect the overall appearance. The condition of the sticker therefore influences the card subgrade and from there into the overall grade of the item.

Loose Figures
We do not grade loose figures. This is due to an unseen amount of figures being damaged and degraded unnecessarily, due to bad display and handling practices. Action Toy International understands the natural situation of these “loose” and unpackaged collectables and therefore prefers to leave the debate of storage to be left for the owners to decide and not to people in the industry who see fit to exploit the situation.

Example:

Vintage FX-7

Vintage 1980 Kenner FX-7 Medical Droid forced into a small display case to be graded/degraded, thus bending it´s arm/claw with the further possiblitly of paint flaking and plastic stress.

Yellowing
Since yellowing of the blister occasionally occurs and can worsen over time, ATi will designate a grade with a “Y” if any signs of slight yellowing exist. (Example: “8.5 Y-NM+”)

Uncirculated
Uncirculated is a toy item that has never been handled after manufacturing or circulated within the public market after final completion at the factory. The Uncirculated stamp on the grading label assures the collector that the figure went from its original packaging within a factory sealed case (or even right off the factory line) to its museum quality ATi show case. Ati ensures that all items remain untouched and uncirculated items are graded on the same ATi scale as usual, but with an additional “U” sign designated with the grade.

The subgrades
The main objective of the subgrades is to further define the condition of a particular item. Once the grade has been established, the grader will then assign individual grades for the card, the blister, and the figure. The overall grade is in no way an average of these three grades.

Furthermore, the new criteria will help define conditions within a particular grade. By using this additional information, a collector can determine whether or not a item’s grade is borderline. Also, the new criteria will direct collectors to the part of the item that has the most damage. For example, a card that recieved an overall grade of 8.5 with a 9.0 Card, an 8.0 Blister, and a 9.0 Figure will show collectors that the blister has the most damage. A card that received an overall grade of 8.5 with an 8.5 Card, an 8.0 Blister, and an 8.0 Figure will show collectors that this particular piece is a low end 8.5, thus avoiding the 8.0+ scenario often seen.

ATI GRADING LEVELS

The ATi Gold level
This consists of the grades 10, 9.5, and 9. The select few items that receive these grades are among the highest quality in existence. A very small percentage submitted to ATi recieve a Gold grade. The flaws are very minor, very subtle, and are sometimes hard to identify with the naked eye. The collector who is extremely condition sensitive will be most satisfied with the condition of a Gold level product.

The ATi Silver level
This consists of the grades 8.5, 8, and 7.5. The figures that receive these grades are in excellent condition. An item graded 8.5 will often be referred to as ‘case fresh’ and should be very close to the ATi gold level. The term ‘case fresh’ is certainly justifiable as the average figure pulled from a sealed case will grade an 8.5 due to small flaws which occur when the figures are packaged or shipped in the case. The average product on a store shelf is usually an 8, which represents a nice speciman with minor flaws apparent upon close inspection. The final ATi Silver level grade, 7.5, represents an item with more minor flaws than the average Silver level piece. An item grading 7.5 does have significant wear but does not have major flaws which at first glance. For most high grade collectors, an 8.5 is satisfactory. For more discriminating collectors, an 8 is satisfactory. A 7.5 will be satisfactory to those who are not too concerned with light stresses, small blister imperfections and other flaws which go unnoticed at first glance. Therefore, the Silver level grades do represent a much larger range than the Gold level grades.

The ATi Bronze level
This consists of the grades 7, 6, and below. The items that receive these grades typically have damage ranging from simply noticeable upon first glance to extremely significant. The card or box may have creases on the front and the blister or window may be crushed or cracked. The Bronze level covers a large range of conditions and the scope of the flaws range considerably. Condition for Bronze level items is determined by how many ‘major’ flaws are present and how severe each flaw is. Bronze level items may have major flaws such as a torn off proof of purchase (POP) or other large paper tears. Bronze level items may not be satisfactory to condition sensitive collectors.

ATi GRADING TABLE TM

The ATi 2YK Gold level consists of the grades 10.0, 9.5, and 9.0 for neo products post 2000. The select few figures that receive these grades are among the highest quality in existence. The flaws are very minor, very subtle, and are sometimes very hard to identify with the naked eye. The collector who is extremely condition sensitive will be satisfied with the condition of a Gold level figure.

The ATi 2YK Silver level consists of the grades 8.5, 8.0, and 7.5. The figures that receive these grades are in excellent condition. A collector would be able to spot a few small flaws on an 8.5 and would see several moderate flaws on a 7.5.

The ATi 2YK Bronze level consists of the grades 7.0 and below. The figures that recieve these grades typically have damage ranging from simply noticeable upon first glance to extremely significant. Since all ATi items must come directly from the original manufacturer’s case, very few items will be low enough to recieve these grades.