T206 Josh Clarke PSA 3 Drum
 

Highest PSA graded, pop 1: $9400

What makes this so ?
 

Pete -

Help me understand what makes this one so rare as to get it into the price range of several thousand dollars -

The only thing I can think of is the DRUM Back - Yes???

Still learning lots about my new T206 compulsion but this one just seems quite a bit odd to me.

Thanks in advance - L

Drum back and the card looks like an 8. Outstanding example.

Lonnie,

Drum backs are SUPER difficult. Back when my dad and I used to be able to buy t206s raw and by the 100s we found all sorts of backs. I NEVER randomly found a drum back card. Which is saying something because I even found two Uzit back cards (the next rarest type). That’s the primary reason for the price you see - I’d guess that even a totally destroyed drum backed card would be worth $2k+

Lonnie, as Scott said (Hi Scott!) Drum backs are highly coveted, and the rarest of all tobacco brands. For reference, I have an SGC 1 Hofman Drum, which is definitely a lower grade example, although presentable...I'd value that at around $6k...so Pete's stunning example is very well priced. And particular of note, most Drums are typically found in lower grade, so this Clarke Drum is in extra rare company in this grade/condition.

Drum
 

Just to reiterate - of the 233,174 t206 cards that PSA has graded only 174 have been Drums - so they are only 0.07% of the total graded population. An additional factor that I have been made aware of with regards to Drums vs. Uzits (which have a similar population - but trade a bit cheaper) - is that Drum backs were printed across a broader number of players - so less drum backs per player (many 1 of 1s or similar and pop 4 was the highest I saw). Uzits printed more cards for less players. So if someone is doing a back run (all the backs of one player) the drum is going to have a significant premium as there are potentially only 1 available (and only up to 4).

Simplistically - just go and try to buy a t206 with a drum back and you will see how rare/expensive they are - I am just trying to get an example of each back type (ex -color, series & factory variations), and have been able to get one of each - except a Drum - and I don't really care who's on the front. Still kicking myself for being cheap when a bunch of Drum's came to auction over the last year or so.