Probably a $20 gamble trying to modify a spine tick to get a 9.8.
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I am betting the restored copies are ones that were variants and had the outer cover removed.
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I curse them (CGC) out more than most.
But i will give them kudos here for not skimping on their responsibilities and actually doing a resto check on a new book.
Exactly this, these are outer covers removed from those other than Covers A’s
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I would think that would get a qualified (green) label, or a “cover less” zero grade.
But I suppose trimming is also categorized as “red too” even though it’s removing, not adding anything.
The 7.0 is much rarer so it makes it more valuable right? 
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Whatever “rule” CGC applies to this, it’s probably new because I don’t think I’ve ever seen a variant cover removed notation on anything. Also, don’t expect it to be enforced consistently or accurately. I guarantee they’ll miss most and they’ll even “catch” clean copies.
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Staples appearing too loose would be the only tell on a deftly removed cardstock cover. I agree that it’s a worry CGC would miss some, and ‘catch’ some books that hadn’t been monkeyed with.
I’m amazed they caught it at all. I wonder if some got through before they figured out what scammers were doing. I’m also amazed that people thought to even try this. Scammers gonna scam, I guess. Pity that people just can’t be honest.
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I’m going to guess that those that tried and received a Restored would just crack it out of the slab and sell it raw.
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Could be the beginning of “rawgate”. If I bought a raw off eBay I don’t think I would know the difference. I would be totally scammed. I wonder now if scammers have been doing this on eBay with raw books. If not, they will be now I guess.
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I saw someone on reddit saying they were doing it and getting unrestored 9.8’s. So I am wondering if people are doing this or what. My guess is they are.
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Hmmmm. IMO, If you’re CGC, there’s no way you could look at the above and say “oh, yeah, that’s a removed cover copy, for sure!”
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If there are fibers or remnants under neath 100% you could. Those could be the ones getting the restored grades.
Basically, sloppy converts.
Seems like if you’re the slightest bit careful/paying attention a Cover A conversion is virtually undetectable. But you
Probably need to start with a very tight copy.
I am not sayin go t cannot be done, but I think the ones that are showing as 9.8 restored or what ever they were not so neat with
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I’d like to see one of these is a slab, or get the cert number to see what the graders notes say.
I’m thinking whoever sent them in is cracking them out.
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Scrolling the Book of Faces, the algo thought I should see what CGC’s $160 Todd fee bought this guy:
- Scratchy signature – it’s more apparent on the original photo. To be fair, who knows what the surface of the cover was like for markers.
- Wrong custom label, which is an $8 upcharge.
- Non-centered book – no idea if centering is not something they normally do for smaller books, but it doesn’t look great.
I hate it when my books aren’t sintered (sic).
And who the hell is Tood (sic) McFarlane?
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