Very rare 1994 Topps Finest Ricky Henderson Refractor?

[Balticfox]

This 1994 Topps Finest Ricky Henderson Refractoris being described as "Very Rare":

https://www.ebay.ca/itm/266016438788...b1936b805d06e9

"Very Rare" has been defined in the Overstreet Price Guide since the 1970's as 5-50 samples in existence. So how much of a lie is contained in the above Ebay listing?

[tiger8mush]

Originally Posted by Balticfox

This 1994 Topps Finest Ricky Henderson Refractoris being described as "Very Rare":

"Very Rare" has been defined in the Overstreet Price Guide since the 1970's as 5-50 samples in existence. So how much of a lie is contained in the above Ebay listing?

SGC has graded 5 refractors and PSA 64. That alone exceeds the max level of "very rare" by the definition you described. This of course isn't counting the raw examples - 3 raw ones are for sale on ebay this moment, and a few raw ones have sold in the last couple months.

I'd call this a "small" lie. Hundreds of active Topps / T206 etc ebay listings use the "very rare" descriptor that are bigger lies. Nothing to get worked up over

[Balticfox]

That type of puffery annoys me.

[OhioLawyerF5]

I mean, "very rare" is hardly a specific term with a specific definition. It's more of a relative term. But if you are holden to the specific definition you provided, they are not very rare.

In 1993, the stated print run of refractors was 241 (although that number is disputed). The print run increased in 1994. By how much? We will never know for sure, but the 94 refractors are certainly more prevalent than the 93s. So with certainty I can say the number is >241. And likely by a bit (probably double or so).

But again, it's relative. Compared to other print runs in 1994, they are EXTREMELY rare. This was a time when basecards were measured in the millions, and the rarest serial numbered cards were /10,000 or /5,000. So to have a card <500 was rare.

But yeah, as a rare 90s collector, I don't consider 94 Refractors hard to find. Nor are the 93s, even though their popularity means they are tucked away in collections. To me, cards /100 or less begin to get hard to find (usually popping up once a year or so). And once you get <50 (which interestingly is your definition), they begin to be so rare you simply have to buy it when you see it, because you may not see if for many years, if ever. I've spent decades chasing some cards /25 or less (even a couple /50 that I can't find).

[steve B]

I always saw Overstreets as a general sort of price guide for most antiques that was only marginally accurate.

Rare of any type will vary depending on the hobby. A friend collects movies on 16mm film. A super common one might get to 25-50 copies. And many, especially relatively recent ones the total produced is well under 10, often no more than 3 or 4. Surviving copies in good condition are even harder to find.

[saucywombat]

There are approximately 200-300 examples of this card in my estimation.