[Steve D]

Originally Posted by perezfan

After your very well thought out reply (thanks BTW), this may sound quite elementary....

I do believe that a 1 - 10 grading scale is fine.... certainly no need for more increments. I just feel it should be spread more evenly from grade to grade throughout the scale.

Just a difference of opinion, which is terrific. I guess I just don't see the need for such miniscule/barely detectable differences to have such a giant impact at the top end of the scale. I guess it just is what it is.

I tend to agree with you about wishing there wasn't such a giant impact on the top end of the scale.

Unfortunately, as long as money is a factor, that impact will continue.

As I mentioned in my last post, it pretty much all began in the 1980s. If I were to pin-point the exact time and person, I would say it was Alan Rosen, aka, "Mister Mint". Before him, a few people might have used the term "Gem Mint", but it was Rosen who brought that term into wide-spread use. He used flowery language like "The edges on this card could trim Santa's beard", or "This card's corners could stab you to death". He made a ton of money doing his schtick. That led to higher prices being paid across the board for all cards. Soon after, the hobby exploded in popularity, Upper Deck came around, and the rest is history.

As they say, money is the root of all evil.

Steve