The whole "Rookie Card" thing was created as a commercial gimmick. I remember when Card Prices Update (CPU) ruled the world of card perceived value/pricing. Every month prices would bounce up or down, 90% of the time up, and beside some cards was the designation "RC." I think the rationale was that it was similar to the first edition of a book, and therefore more valuable.
They even had the 1952 Topps Mantle designated RC, to get that price elevated.
My point is, "rookie card" was basically a money-making gimmick from the beginning, and people have been trying to bend and twist its definition for decades, to suit their own purposes (and inventories/collections.)
Seriously, for you actual collectors, would you rather have a 1963 Topps floating head Pete Rose, or a 1964 Topps Pete Rose, if the bogus "rookie card" phenomena didn't exist?
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