[mintacular]

A lot of cynics here, I see. "Paying strong" implies to me that there is a collector that desires a certain card(s) and will pay a price that sold at a nice price via auction/somewhat high-ish BIN for said card... i.e. They are not looking get a "fair" (mediocre) price and of course not a resale price (to
"flip") but want that card(s) without waiting for said card to be listed in an auction. That said, of course folks misuse / abuse that term.

Example: A few years ago I was dead set on completing a 1957 Topps Baseball Set in EXMT+/NM centered condition. I think it would be fair to say that the right card I would spend "strong" in that the right common for example I would pay close to book if the eye appeal/centering was right.