Quote :

Packaging condition is verified to be 90% mint (C9), or better.

Saw this on a well known online store while browsing black series 6" figures. Have I missed something?
I've always (like forever) seen mint as the absolute best condition possible 10 out of 10 no flaws at all. As if directly from factory etc. And here a c9 is mentioned as 90% mint. They say that they pick out mint items if you pay extra and then guarantee it's 90% mint.

What is then 10% mint, and can something not be mint on a scale like that?

I need to meditate on this.

I would think it is just either bad phrasing or meant to be misleading to the eye so your brain sees and thinks "mint".
I would say if its a 1-10 or 1-100 scale, a 9 is a 9/10 or a 90/100 - its the same thing.
A c1 or 10 of mint would be a beater that a dog ate and crapped out and then was a beater again I think.

Crafty wording to lull in the masses to want to buy it most likely or simply just a bad choice of words.

I like the collectible card grading system (honor system, not professional)...

Mint/Pack Fresh
Near Mint
Excellent
Good/Played
Fair
Heavily Played/Shite

All have a range of + to -.
It leaves a bunch of guess work out but yet leave some honest subjective thoughts.
Mint is perfect, near mint is damn close... excellent is very subjective but very very close to near mint.
Good is where it gets a bit into a grey area, but mostly not bad at all.
Fair, well, now we are getting close to heavy wear and close to a beater.
Heavily Played/Shit - do I need to explain?

It is one reason I take high quality pictures so I don't have to say it is XXXX condition. I am not AFA, so I won't speculate a real grade. I just say its great, good, excellent, etc.

Anyway... I know this didn't answer or help much, just my thoughts on the whole user based grading system.
It will always be subjective outside AFA grades and even still we see so many people disagreeing on the grades AFA puts out there sometimes.

cheers!

Thats exactly how I see it as well just that I usually put in .5 so near mint is 9.5, mint 10 etc.

Here is a link, it's kind of strangely written I must say.
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/product.aspx?product=HAS23107&mode=retail

Quote :

Collector's Grade upgrade is available! ($2 per item.)
-The item is brand-new, in mint condition, and sealed inside mint packaging.
-Packaging condition is verified to be 90% mint (C9), or better.
-If you upgrade, our warehouse will carefully choose items in mint condition.
-Each item will be wrapped in a clear poly-bag for protection during shipping.
-Collector's Grade items are meant to be displayed in their packaging.

I think it's meant to be misleading, i marked in red. Personally I wouldn't say C9 is mint. So they are picking out mint items that are not even near mint and assure you that they are 90% mint.

Makes sense like the AFA scale  :

lol wtf. For me mint will be the 10/10 at least, that stuff is to complicated