Rarity1 vs Rarity2 vs Rarity3

[Archive]

Posted By: E, Daniel

There have been a couple of good discussions recently about rarity of issue (in pure numbers of surviving cards per issue) versus condition rarity.
What about the third rarity - rarity of variation?
Including here back variations, player designation, colors, etc....

Would you as a hobbyist prefer a card from a tough issue, where perhaps only 10 survive for that player but the aesthetic isn't so fantastic....or a card from an issue that 50 exist but with a back variation for which only 5 are known - but the image is brilliant and the issue very popular to collect?


Daniel

[Archive]

Posted By: Mike

Since I tend to collect a certain player, I will always choose the rarest, regardless of clarity or condition. if there are only 10 left of a certain players card, I'm always of the opinion that I better grab it fast, or I may not find another for 10 years. On more common cards, say where there are 50 out there, (Which to me is not rare) I will sometimes hold off for a better looking card. But sometimes pick one up, and then look to upgrade at a later date. Rarity is very important to me. More so than condition, clarity, or the back of the card.

Edited to add: Popularity of the issue is of no importance to me. I love rarity.

[Archive]

Posted By: leon

I would go with rarity of a set first...then with rarity of the back....but for something like a T207 Red Cross I will go for it. I have always been a rarity collector first and a back collector second....If it's a very rare back then that's great too. Lastly I would go with rarity of condition. I do have one card that I think fits that bill. I know of no other N284's graded higher than this one.....good question Daniel. Is your self esteem any better?

[Archive]

Posted By: Jim Clarke

Here would be a tough issue to top IMO. D381's are hard to find period. Then to find them with a coupon still on them is even harder (like zeenuts). Then to throw a twist in, try finding one with the Ferguson Bakery coupon on them? My big question is should they be the same desination or have a desination like d381-2

[Archive]

Posted By: JimB

Great question. I go for aesthetics first. If I don't like the way a card looks, then the rarity does not do as much for me.
JimB