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Posted By: Al Crisafulli

Great question.

I think the value of the highest-grade cards will continue to increase exponentially over time. The end result of this, which we've already begun to see with certain issues, is that the highest-grade cards will become unattainable for the average collector.

Conversely, there will always be a market for off-grade cards, and their value will consistenly increase (particularly in the prewar arena). As people get more consumed by the hobby, a large number of them eventually migrate to the prewar arena, and so the demand for these cards will continuously increase.

So, basically, I think a tiny but wealthy fraction of the market will consistently drive up the price of high-grade cards, and consistent increases in demand will drive up the price of off-grade cards. The value of high-grade cards will increase exponentially, but the value of off-grade cards will increase steadily (and respectably).

-Al