Condition vs. Scarce Back

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Posted By: Paul S

I realize responses will vary depending on what and how one collects, but I am curious what many collectors here would prefer if they had to decide between owning a better condition card with a more common back or the same player on the same card type but with a more scarce back, that they didn't already have in their collection, with the price being comparable to each. Example:

T206 Eddie Collins portrait with Sweet Caporal Back in wonderful condition (PSA has a "wonderful" designation, doesn't it? )

or

T206 Eddie Collins portrait with, say, Carolina Brights back, several grades below the other.

You can only own one of this type/player/pose.

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Posted By: peter ullman

I personally have a history of being a backs collector with no regard for the front. On the other hand I collect fronts as well. I'd rather have a poorer conditioned caramel card than a finer conditioned, common backed t206. I'd rather have the nicer fronted collins t206...and a generic fronted carolina brights back! I'm sure my answer will be of great help to you!

pete ullman in mn

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Posted By: steve yawitz

I'd go for the Carolina Brights card if I could just have one. I'll almost always take scarcity over condition.

http://imageevent.com/yawie99

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Posted By: Wesley

If I could only have one, I would choose the Carolina Brights over the more common back. Scarcity is always more important than condition for me.

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Posted By: J Levine

Considering my condition requirements = being recognizable as a baseball card, I would go for the rare back.

I have tons of t205s but still looking for a poor condition Drum back.

Joshua

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Posted By: MVSNYC

easy question...rare back.

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Posted By: Turner Engle

I would go for a rarer back as well.

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Posted By: Paul S

Although combining the two is the collectors' paradigm I am curious to how far to one side it actually leans (except for Peter U who leans all ways . So far it's a shutout for the rare-back team, and I wouldn't expect that to change all that much.


BTW, STEVE: How is that E93 Wagner on your site only a 3? Light staining?

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Posted By: Marc S.

Although in my collecting world, I would end up buying both (e.g. the common back and the rare back), I would definitely go with the rare back if I only had to choose one. As for a grade difference, I think if push can to shove, I would probably prefer an EX/MT common back to a Good rare back...although if the back was super rare (Drum, Uzit, Lenox), I would always take the rare back, condition notwithstanding.

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Posted By: boxingcardman

If the card is for my personal collection, I will take the card that has more eye appeal to me. If the front of the lower grade rare back looks OK even if the technical grade is low, I would take it. If there is significant damage to ol' Eddie's image, though, I'd prefer a card that looks nicer, even if the rare back is available for the same price.