Posted By:
DDIn advance, I apologize for my off-topic remarks that follow, as well as the non-sequitir at the end.
I feel that the grading systems that are used are part "old school", and part accurate grading, and a change is needed.
When I first started dealing cards in 1976, prior to grading companies and the hobby boom of the late 70's early 80's, we had poor, fair, very good, excellent, ex-mint, and mint. In between grades at the lower levels were also OK.
With the advent of near mint to mint, the ex-mint grade is not accurate; it would be equivalent to getting a C++++++++++++++ on a test when the teacher could just give you a B-, or possibly a B. The ex-mint grade was viable at one point, but now outdated. The "mint" in ex-mint, implies that it is close to mint, and nothing should be in between. Near mint does the job, and near mint to mint is just one step closer to mint. Ex+ is more accurate for ex-mint. Don't get me started on gem mint, pristine mint, flawless mint, uncirculated mint, Angelina Jolie mint, or any of the other silly grades (except for Angelina) that are assigned above mint. Mint is mint; period.
Just a thought.
P.S. I remember I first saw the near mint to mint grade in one of Al Rosen's auctions but I think it was Nr-Mt to Mt ++++++. By the way, I remember when we would refer to Al as the guy that was nearly arrested for being involved in stealing Drake's Cakes sets out of the factory.