Some grading standards within the TPGs change a little over time. A card with a crease (goes through front and back) shouldn't generally (if ever) be EX. One with a spider wrinkle (only goes through one side) could possibly receive an EX. You just have to get to know the TPGs and their idiosyncrasies. Sometimes an earlier graded card can be a stricter grade sometimes a more lenient grade. Buy the TPG not the time frame

. (or was it buy the card.......)