Just add this card to the altered/restored/ignore debate.
I've heard and read the arguments that the hobby has "matured", or should, to accept certain things and maybe that does make sense. I think it does, but again that needs to come with disclosure and education.
The problem, as I see it, is that these issues have not really been dealt with by the third party authenticators. Worse, there are too may instances of not consistently applying their own standards. This card is a clear example of that, and there are many many others that have been discussed on the board previously (anyone remember that Play Ball Dimaggio?).
The perceived "favoritism" (?) given to certain customers/consignors by all the other parties involved further complicates the issue. Some of it is borderline/outright "willful ignorance" in my view, all in the name of ever increasing prices.
That inconsistency alone adds to the "tremendous volatility" in prices and grading, none of which truly contributes to a healthy marketplace.
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