This a production defect? 9.8 crypt

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Is this tiny "color fleck" circled on the right a production defect? Or was it possibly damaged during grading??

Why does it have to be damaged during grading? Could have been damaged sitting with Gaines all those years. Does it matter? The book got a 9.8.

Are you sure it is even really a color fleck? The scan seems to show white dust marks all over it. Also, even if it is a color fleck, it is so small that it does not affect the grade.

BTW, this is one of the best looking EC's I have ever seen!

I've seen books graded recently that have this defect which have not been dinged for it. One example you'll see often is amazing spider-man #57 (ka-zar app). The top right edge almost always has these white spots. I don't think it's chipping, it looks like a result of the cover being cut but I really have no idea what it could be. I have a couple of books graded in the early 2000's that did get dinged for it, calling it edge wear.

Here is an example: