Open a 1980 Cello Pack with Rickey on the Top/Front?

[MailboxBaseball]

Hello,

Just looking for some opinions on this please.
I have a 1980 Topps Cello Pack with Rickey Henderson showing.
Does anyone think I should open the pack and hope it comes back as a PSA 9?
Maybe theres even a second Rickey in there (doubtful), but who knows.
Or should I get the pack graded?

On multiple Pawn Stars episodes, the expert advises the guys to open the pack and have the cards graded, so I’m considering it.
Any opinions are appreciated.
(Side note: I’m not rich, so I’m looking for the best move financially. I agree keeping the pack sealed in some ways is “the right thing to do”)

Thanks!
MB

[OhioLawyerF5]

Originally Posted by MailboxBaseball

Hello,

Just looking for some opinions on this please.
I have a 1980 Topps Cello Pack with Rickey Henderson showing.
Does anyone think I should open the pack and hope it comes back as a PSA 9?
Maybe theres even a second Rickey in there (doubtful), but who knows.
Or should I get the pack graded?

On multiple Pawn Stars episodes, the expert advises the guys to open the pack and have the cards graded, so I’m considering it.
Any opinions are appreciated.
(Side note: I’m not rich, so I’m looking for the best move financially. I agree keeping the pack sealed in some ways is “the right thing to do”)

Thanks!
MB

I vote to keep it sealed. That is a really cool item. And if you look at how PSA grades that card in particular, as well as other cards from the era, there is virtually no chance a card on the top of the pack gets a PSA 9. They are SUPER stingy with grades on the 1980 Henderson. I don't even have to look at the card to guess it gets a 6 or 7 (and frankly, I'm not convinced the grader will actually look at the card).

[chalupacollects]

No just go buy another Henderson, maybe get the pack graded


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[4815162342]

Grade the pack.

[JustinD]

Leave it sealed, the chances you get what you are hoping for are infinitely small at best, nonexistent to be a realist. Also, never take collection advice from any Pawn Stars episodes.

The previous advice to grade the pack is best. Most people that see a random pack with the best card in the set showing will assume a reseal. The best value will not come from opening, it will be assuring (as much as someone is able to trust a grader) that the pack is legitimate.

[Beercan collector]

Originally Posted by OhioLawyerF5

I vote to keep it sealed. That is a really cool item. And if you look at how PSA grades that card in particular, as well as other cards from the era, there is virtually no chance a card on the top of the pack gets a PSA 9. They are SUPER stingy with grades on the 1980 Henderson. I don't even have to look at the card to guess it gets a 6 or 7 (and frankly, I'm not convinced the grader will actually look at the card).

This .
The top card usually has its corners pulled down by the cellophane,
And there’s lots of people willing to pay too much for a pack that has a star rookie showing.

[chalupacollects]

There is also an SGC8 for sale in the BST… not mine seems reasonable…


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[MailboxBaseball]

Thanks for the great responses, I will get it graded and will hope for the best from PSA.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️THANKS AGAIN TO ALL WHO REPLIED!⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[toledo_mudhen]

I would keep sealed and have the Pack Graded.......... Both PSA and SGC are tuff as a boot on Grading right now....

If you open it - values can only go down

IMHO

[parkplace33]

Grade it and sell it. Do not open!

[SyrNy1960]

By the sound of your post, it seems you’re wanting to open it. I wouldn’t myself, but do what makes you happy.

[Brent G.]

You could probably just post it for sale here right now and get the number you want. There are tons of Rickey RCs out there, but not many of what you have.

[conor912]

I would say the chances of the top card in a cello pack from 1980 grading anything above a 7 are probably slim to none.

[Brent G.]

Originally Posted by conor912

I would say the chances of the top card in a cello pack from 1980 grading anything above a 7 are probably slim to none.

^^^^^^^

[Vintagedeputy]

Sealed.

[Lorewalker]

The cards on the top and bottom of cellos can have some corner wear due to the factory wrapping. Do not open it. Get the pack graded. It will be worth far more and it is a much cooler item too.

[philliesfan]

Without question, leave it sealed and graded.
The chances it would grade a 9 are slim. Take a look at the centering through the cello, I am sure it is not within "9" guidelines. And if it is, look at the corners; they would need to be near perfect.

All things being equal, there are 726 cards in the set. That would mean that a Henderson on top of a pack would be 1 of every 726 packs.

So in my opinion, the best bet financially, would be to leave it sealed and get graded.

[Kutcher55]

Don't open it if you care about money. Even if you don't care about money, it's a lot cooler to have an unopened cello pack with Henderson on top than it is to just have a Henderson. The card is anything but scarce whereas the pack is legit scarce. If you think the card is a lock to get a PSA 10 then consider opening it, but that's an unlikely result to say the least.

[skelly]

Not even sure why cello packs are valued to the level that they are. You might get high graded cards with wax, rack packs or vending boxes, but not cello packs. The cards will be crisp, but from my experience, at least one corner will be damaged by the tight cello.

[raulus]

Originally Posted by skelly

Not even sure why cello packs are valued to the level that they are. You might get high graded cards with wax, rack packs or vending boxes, but not cello packs. The cards will be crisp, but from my experience, at least one corner will be damaged by the tight cello.

For whatever reason, people buying these things tend to be willing to spend lots more than what the cards inside are potentially worth. I guess they're just that cool on their own, and the potential contents aren't really a factor.

[jjbond]

Cool item. In the cello. Grade the pack.

[bmattioli]

Keep it sealed and grade if you'd like. Got a picture if it ?