How much does condition matter on a rare card
 

Lets say the card is a pre war card. Total pop of all graded examples between PSA and SGC is under 10. How much does condition/grade matter? Do you buy the first example of the card you can find even if its a beater? Or do you hold out for a better looking example?

I have no experience in this realm but it seems you buy it when it comes up. Regardless. Get one and if a better one surfaces later on grab the better one and sell the beater.

If you're talking a specific card of a specific player, I'll usually take whatever I can get. If you're talking a random example from a set where every card has a pop around 10, I'll generally wait to find one that is not completely trashed or at least one that the price makes sense.

BTW, always looking for E92 Red Crofts regardless of condition :D

Rarity
 

I'd grab the first one I saw, then look for a better one to replace it.

Grab it while you can, you may never see another one.

This isn’t my area of focus either but I agree with the sentiment that if something is extremely rare, and you want it, you pull the trigger regardless of condition. You may literally never have the opportunity again. And, if for some reason a better one surfaces, you shouldn’t have any trouble unloading the first one.

I collect Mets jerseys and it’s the same deal there. I haven’t been able to fit into a size 44 jersey since high school, but when a 1982 Mets Road Alternate Blue became available in a 44 I jumped because you just never see them. Some things you can’t be picky with

I have a few less than 10 pop cards but even then there has to be an element of eye appeal for me. I had an opportunity to buy a 1/2 HOFer card but couldn't pull the trigger because there was a blemish on the card that my eye couldn't reconcile with.

I have no problem crossing a card of the list no matter the condition. If its a rare one even better. With my interests, a beater might be the best you can hope for with some cards.

Buy when you have the chance! Unless maybe the condition is sooooo horrible that you will not enjoy it at all. If you find another upgrade and sell or keep both. You will kick yourself if you miss the only opportunity you have . May never come up again or prices may raise it out of your reach.

I would take the poor card since you may never see it again.

My example is my T215 Red Cross Billy Purtell Jersey City card. As far as I can tell it's the only one graded by PSA or SGC. I was thrilled to pick it up when I saw it for my Jersey City collection. I never thought I would ever see it let alone own it.


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Very nice Andy.

Thanks Phil. It's one of my favorites.

This

Gotta pull the trigger regardless of condition. Nothing is better than absolute rarity--you own it you set the next sale price.

I agree. Gotta get it when you can. This comes up every once in a while for me so I figured I get your thoughts.