Posted By:
Gilbert MainesThe term Mint condition applied to cards is on loan from the Coin hobby (you know - those guys who get their collectables from the MINT).
In that hobby their collectable is in Mint condition if it leaves the manufacturing facility in perfect condition. Also if after the coin is struck, passes through the counter, down the conveyer, into the bags, the bags trucked to the Federal Reserve for distribution to the banks .... and the eventual distribution to us <------ at that point the coin is still in Mint State eventhough it may be scratched, dinged, dented, have general "bag marks", etc.
There are various grades of Mint State from a low of MS60 to the virtually unachievable MS70. Based on this precedent, I feel that a card is Mint if its condition shows no circulation wear, only distribution and manufacturing problems. In no way is this statement to be construed as all Mint condition cards are equivalent.
I simply contend that for the card Mint condition variances can not be assessed by a 4 point grading system of 7,8,9,10. The coin hobby uses 11 points for a far more durable product which if any imperfections exist in the manufacture of a coin (such as die chatter which causes a multiple strike) the coin which is imperfect - and gets past QC - is an error coin. So essentially only perfect specimens leave the Mint. Therefore all Mint State degredation is attributable to coin handling prior to release to the public. 11 - point scale for coins which were all identical and flawless until the after strike handling system kicks in.
Edited to add: I think I am wrong. The card hobby is trying to set aside only two grades (9 & 10) to identify all mint condition cards - aren't we?