So I own 26 Character Secret Rares in CGC 9.5.
Traditionally, a CGC 9.5 is basically a perfect card.
I bought these with the intention of crossing them to a 10 in an alternative grading system.
For me, buying a CGC 9.5 was a good way of pre-grading, especially when buying online can be difficult as photos rarely show a perfect coverage of the card.
Whilst, some of these 26 are indeed gem mint, there are many which are clearly not. Very obvious print line across one, and noticable edge damage.
I have crossed 20+ CGC 9.5’s before and all got 10’s. Though I am concerned that not all will and I may have to resell.
I find myself in a curious position. As someone who genuinely likes CGC, it’s nice that a CGC 10 collection is now a viable choice. As someone who has bought lots of their product as I trusted the strictness of their grading, this change will potentially be costly, as I won’t be able to cross all of them with the same reliability that I could before.
As ever, buy the card not the grade - but previously it was a good way of appraising cards that you are buying online which I fear is not available anymore.
I just wish that CGC had actually communicated this change, rather than pretend it’s not the case.