Posted By:
Dan MathewsonFrom SGC's own site:
60 EX 5: 80/20 or better centering, minor rounding or fuzzing of corners, roughness or chipping along edge (no layering), one VERY slight surface or "spider" crease may exist on one side of the card, gloss may be lost from surface with some scratching that does not detract from the aesthetics of the card.
Your CODY card got this 60 grade. I don't see your card showing these flaws at all. A couple of the corners are touched, but not rounded. Criminy! A 10 has perfect corners, I'm not saying it should be a 10, but certainly not a 5. The centering sits slightly left, but is easily better than 80/20 or even 70/30. There certainly aren't any creases!
I honestly think it is closer to SGC's description of a 7:
84 NRMT 7: 70/30 or better centering, slight wear on some corners, minor scratching, some print spots or speckling, and print lines or refractor lines are acceptable. Card may exhibit a slightly skewed (diamond) cut.
It makes the centering cut; there is slight wear on some corners, not all; maybe some scratching? i can't see any; MW said there are some border spots/discoloration, but I can't see any on the picture.
Now......Your OLIVA got an 80?
80 EX/NM 6: 75/25 or better centering, slight fuzzing of corners may be evident, skewed cut may be more evident, focus or register may be off, and slight notching of edges may exist.
I thought it would get an 86, or AT LEAST an 84. Here's SGC's 84 and 86 descriptions:
86 NM+ 7.5: 70/30 or better centering, a few small flaws may exist upon close examination. A small flaw may be, but is not limited to: very minor wear on one corner, a gloss break or surface scratch, a print line or refractor line, a focus or color imperfection, or a print spot.
84 NRMT 7: 70/30 or better centering, slight wear on some corners, minor scratching, some print spots or speckling, and print lines or refractor lines are acceptable. Card may exhibit a slightly skewed (diamond) cut.
Centering, your OLIVA looks dead on. Again, slight wear on corners, but no "edge notching"; I don't see a skewed cut or scratching.
And, Teddy got a 50? Here's SGC's 50 description:
50 VG/EX 4: 85/15 or better centering, corners are slightly rounded with modest surface wear. Light hairline crease may show on one or both sides. A light tear or surface break may exist.
I just don't see that at all. That's kinda outrageous. The Teddy easily passes muster for the next grade higher (the SGC 60, copied above)...
...which allows for minor rounding of corners, edge chipping, a surface crease and lost surface gloss and scratching. That's just crazy. I'm sorry, but I just don't get it...
It's like a card fits a grade, and it gets at least one grade lower, to be tough. This is what I said about consistency over time. The written standards are the same, but they are applied inconsistently over time, tougher now than they used to be. That is my simple, humble opinion. That, and a "report card" would be extremely helpful and good, basic customer service.
Did I forget to mention "pretty"? LOL.....