Absolutely, grading isn’t perfect. But in an aggregate, a 10 is a “gem mint” card and would not have those issues.
And to contextualize that comment to this overall discussion, what if the 1/1 Ring had the issues it apparently does that caused PSA to grade it a 9, but it was automatically just graded a 10? Would it have more value as a 10 with the same issues as a 9? Or would a serious collector notice the flaws and maybe the value diminishes as the card is obviously misgraded?
Absolutely it would
Hmmm. What if it WAS a PSA 6 instead?
Would you still want it graded on a scale? Condition might be valuable, BUT it could also detract. I think it’s a good point, you made. Still, how much value can a scaled grade add to an item of which there is only one? A PSA 6 1 of 1 is still the best in the world. If the Mona Lisa was a PSA 3, would anyone care? She’s seen better days, but her value holds. (Figuratively, and used as an allegory for fine and historic art, of course, since she’s not for sale.)
So that Master Scroll that is misgraded as a 10 that gets shared around all the time, that has more value than a 9? Just because there’s a 10 label slapped on it?
Yeah this really gets to the crux of things. Would they care? Should they care?
Is there a difference between perceived value and actual value?
This. I don’t see why a collector would pay more for the rarest card in all of magic just cause it says 10 on it instead of 9. That doesn’t make sense.
Anything that says 10 is going to be worth more than anything that says 9 regardless of condition. I thought everyone had worked this out by now. Condition doesn’t matter just the number 10.
I think there MUST be since collecting pieces of cardboard, defunct currency, and jewelry has been a thing for millennia. But for something like a trading card that was released AS a collectible, and not as a trophy, or an event, nor as something which has naturally become rare over time (1 remaining vintage car of 10 that were made), what type of value is it? AND Will something like that retain value without any history other than, “It was the only 1.”
I would argue that to collectors, TRUE Collectors, the value of the 1 ring is in that it exists as a story and experiment for us to consider and learn from.
When something is the only one in the world, you can set any price you want whether it’s a PSA 1 , 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10.
Agreed but I would argue that a psa 1 would be nowhere as aesthetically pleasing as a 10. Now an 8,9,10… yeah, good luck convincing me there’s a visual difference there on a 1/1 unless you have a loupe
If I recall, that Master Scroll was actually auctioned at the same time or almost the same time as a PSA 9 that looked better than the 10. Yes, the 10 went for several thousand dollars more than the 9.
Do you think k 8,9,10 all look the same to the naked eye?
On a 1/1 in the world, yes, I am willing to ignore some minor scratching or some backside whitening that you would see on an 8 or 9 lol
Yeah that 10 looked like a 7, but honestly I’ve learned it’s irrelevant. A gem mint looking 9 will never sell for that much more than a 9. Half grades help this a little bit honestly, but not much.
Gem mint looking 9s and 8s don’t stay long that way in my collection, would have broken their slabs and resub them for 10 or gold/black label.
Again, tho, 10 denotes it as the best. But a PSA 6 ring would also be the best. Like I said, if the Mona Lisa were a PSA 3 (and let’s be honest, it probably IS after several hundred years of fading, being hung in a home, and having moths get at it) would it matter? There’s only 1… well maybe 2 now, but you get the idea, right? I just wonder if the 1 Ring REALLY matters because it is so rare, then the condition is irrelevant. OR is there something more to it that gives the condition importance. Would you want a 1 of a kind item any less if it had factory defects?
I believe if there were 2 different 1 of 1s that were equally wanted by collectors before grading and then they were graded and one got a 10 and one got a 9 and then they were auctioned the 10 would become the more desirable and achieve a higher price.
Oooo! THAT’s a thought. Great point! I like it. Since there’s only 1, then it’s… but does that mean there are actually say 2 1 of 1s if another 1 of 1 is also released? Thus, they would be 1 of 2… 
Let’s say a set has 2 1 of 1s released in it. No one cares which one they pull both look equally amazing. Both get pulled and then both are graded one is a 10 and one is a 9. Both are then put up for auction at the same time. Which one would sell for more?
So it seems, 1 of 1s is a losing proposition for the producer because over time, they will all be competing with each other. *Especially considering the polished turd that has been WotC printing QA lately. And there’s another question:
If a 1 of 1 was printed and had major defects, would they print it again, leaving an enterprising employee or dumpster diver to find the 2 of 1 copy? Would they say, “oh well”? Interesting…
We’ve just watched this 1 of 1 be allegedly worth $2000000 which didn’t happen. I’ve yet to see confirmation of $1000000 happening. This then moves onto the next 1 of 1. Decreased hype for the next one has occurred before it’s even been released.