I second the T205 Cobb suggestion - you can get a decent PSA 4 in the 2k range.
Have you considered regional issues? You can get some significant cards for less than the national issues. Here's a very nice 1954 Johnston Cookies Aaron rookie in a PSA 8 that sold in late 2016 for less than 2k:
http://milehighcardco.com/mobile/lot...on_psa_8_nm_mt
They probably won't increase in value as much as the national issues, but they can be attractive and significant cards.