[Balticfox]

Originally Posted by jchcollins

To me, problems related to the image - coloring, toning, fading, focus - have long been under represented in grading. It makes no sense that a card can be EX but not NM due to a few fractions of a mm on centering; but the worse centered card can be brilliant and beautiful while the "NM" card in some cases can have worse color and image focus, but yet still technically be the better card.

Technical grading was never meant to equate apples to apples with eye appeal. This is a perception problem now with many collectors, much as it was 30 years ago. I think some would say we still have to do our homework on what cards we want in our collections. Many hobby newbies anymore can't even be bothered with learning how to grade raw cards themselves. They want the (notoriously less than super consistent...) TPG's to do everything.

I fully agree on all your points! The card must look "good" to me regardless of the number on the label.