Quote:
Originally Posted by Bliggity
I find that with T205s, eye appeal varies substantially more within the same grades than it does in other sets. Sure, you'll be able to find cards in any set that look great but grade low due to technical issues, but there are wild eye-appeal swings with T205s. I'm building a set in (roughly) all PSA 3. Like Econteacher said, the vibrant colors can hide a lot of wrinkles, but the borders on some of them are a nightmare. Dulling of the gold, along with edge/corner wear and chipping, can make a T205 look pretty chewed up, whereas the same type of wear on a white-bordered card wouldn't look nearly as bad. Here's one example, and it's not even really that bad:
Edge Wear
Then, you have some cards with absolutely gorgeous fronts (usual Polar Bears) that grade relatively low because of staining on the back:
Nice Front, Stained Back
The good news is that T205s are plentiful, and even the SPs (with the exception of a couple) come up pretty regularly, so there's a lot to choose from. But building a set with consistent "cosmetics" is an exercise in patience. |
I hear ya, Dan. Good examples. I have considered and have been studying T206 for a while along with some E95s and E96s. I like those cards, especially the T206s. However, I like what I am seeing from the 05s. The 05s interest me because it is loaded with quality HOFers, and the design is growing on me. T205 also is a set that I could actually complete (with time, patience, and $). If one likes to play around with back variations, the 05s offer that as well. They also appear to be a little more affordable than T206.