Let’s have a poll. How many people would rather have a noticeably OC 8-Lives (because it is perfectly cut based on sheet placement) than a “miscut” 8-Lives that appears perfectly centered? The grade should reflect the answer to that question.
The grade absolutely should not reflect the answer to that question.
I'm surprised you would even want high grades to be based purely on subjective measures and not objective ones.
Much like the Avengers movie may have been the most popular in their years, they cleary did not make the cuts in the category of Best Picture of the Year either release.
But they did make the most money for their years...
- which would allude to PSA grading really being all about the money (for themselves and for submitters), and the grading is not about being technically right.
And that is absolutely true in the case of the 8-Lives, as the PSA MC designator should apply, per their own definition, to "Any and all cards that exhibit an atypical cut for the issue". A ample bordered 8-Lives is definitely an atypical cut, and should be called out for that with an MC.