Brushed metal grading

[Summydad1]

A recent conversation with a fellow board member made me think. Why have we not seen a 9.9 or 10 graded copy of X-O or Bloodshot Metal? I would think due to the nature of the material the book is made from it would stand a better than average chance. Ninja-k metals have started popping up and I wonder if one of those will "make the grade." I also would be curious to know the monetary potential when/if a 9.9 or 10 arrives. Any thoughts?

[ckb]

I would be worried about the following grading the metal cover books and "expecting" grades over 9.8:

- Light surface scratches. This is probably what keeps otherwise pristine copies at 9.8. Be sure to examine under a raking light.
- Clean covers. Fingerprints can matter and this material probably retains oils pretty well
- Subtle production defects. Breaks in the image from material on cover pre-printing, tiny flecks and color breaks for other reasons
- Impressions on the pages. The edges of the cover may be leaving a light indent on the pages underneath.

Really, no one should never expect a grade higher than 9.8. We are only guessing at the criteria CGC uses.

[DirtbagSailor]

The metal on the front of the book is affixed to the cardstock cover, and cardstock covers still have inherent production, shipping, and handling flaws that (typically) prevent a 9.9 or 10 grade.

Not to mention that the grade given is also based on the interior pages and not just the cover.

[nycjadie]

The covers are made by hand, so the back covers are manhandled. I've handled probably a dozen of these up close, and I haven't seen a perfect one, even my 9.8.