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David MFred, I agree with what you are saying for any newer issues (post war). If I wanted a high grade common from 1957 to use your example, I would buy several that looked like 8's to 9's raw and submit them. I might strike out, but I could get a heck of a lot of commons graded for what someone is willing to pay for that same card in a grade 9 or 10. There are an awful lot of these more modern cards out there that haven't been graded. These population reports are really showing an artificial shortage of certain cards, because most haven't been or will never be submitted. I'm sure there are exceptions, but to pay $2878 for a 1979 Rose is insane. See the link.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&it em=200309615415