I agree that the mechanisms pointed out above by Bob are likely culprits. But it is becoming a serious problem for the vintage side of the hobby. Modern is easy to grade. No flaws? Then 10. Nearly flawless? Then 9. And slowly demote from there. Modern cards almost never grade below an 8 unless it was damaged somehow.
I don't believe it's intentional or some sort of pop control effort or anything like that, but these guys have now moved the goalposts on us by two full grades. That's unacceptable. It would be great if we could figure out a way to prove to Nat that this is in fact happening and that it's not just some hobby conspiracy theory being peddled by sour grapes. With some effort, it can be irrifutably proven, but getting him to listen is the challenge
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If it's not perfectly centered, I probably don't want it.
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