[MattyC]

Hi Kevin,

The main thing, as CW mentioned in his post, is that there is a bandwidth of quality within each grade. Not all cards within the same grade have the same eye appeal, and an abundance of the latter can warrant a significant premium above the average-looking specimen.

The SMR is woefully behind the current market (understandably so, considering its publication schedule vs. a real-time site like VCP).

So the most accurate answer to your question on strategy would be to really compare the 6 in question to other 6s, and decide where it falls in the spectrum of quality/price. If it is better than the other 6s which have sold on VCP (as per the VCP scans), then a fair price would be somewhere north of average. Of course each collector has his own threshold for premium he'll pay for a "best-in-grade" type card; hence why, in an auction setting, an exceptionally strong-for-the-grade card can sell for a huge spike above the average. A private sale setting, even with a dealer as opposed to a collector, if often the optimum way to land such a card.

Similarly, and especially if negotiating with a dealer, be sure to ascertain where your 4 falls within the spectrum of 4s. This is just as critical as understanding if the dealer's 6 is a strong or weak 6. If your four blows away other 4s on VCP, you should not fail to raise this point with the dealer and value it north of the average in any trade + cash scenario.

Hope that helps.

Best,

Matt