8.5 was the best card. But I believe what happened here is that's a card that is not being chased by too many single card, non Registry collectors, like say Miller or myself as examples. With therefore mostly Registry types after it, I think the interest therefore trends toward the 9 grade. Guys not in the hunt for that high GPA (ugh) will probably think spending more for a .5 higher isn't worth it, and take the 8. This psychological scenario would account for the 8.5 slipping through the cracks. No doubt, some cards garner less interest from singles collectors and more from Registry collectors.
And those two types of collectors-- in general-- have vastly different mindsets and approaches to collecting and card choice. I have seen a great many Registry types focus so intensely on filling that empty slot on the screen with the grade they want, that they care little for the card-- long as it has the right number they want on the holder. I have buddies who are Red Sox fans, and I have buddies who will pass on the best card because their concern is the GPA. It's two different fundamental worlds of collecting, really. Some cards draw attention from both worlds, others are very desired by just one.
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