$5000 to invest in T206 2 common 8's or beater rarity

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Posted By: David

Just throwing a hypothetical question out for debate. If someone had $5000 to invest in T206's, what do you think would bring the greatest return in 5 years.

A. 1 rare beater as in the Magie PSA 1 that recently sold.
B. 2 beautiful t206 commons.
C. 3 solid HOFers in decent condition.
D. a bunch of commons and minor star cards in the 3 range.
E. put in under the mattress, the prices are peaking right
now.

David

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Posted By: Frank Wakefield

If you're serious, then the Magie. If you get him now, you're set. If you don't get him now, you may well never get one, and you'll have "non-buyer's" remorse forever more.

The other cards you describe will always be out there... they'll cost more, but the opportunity to buy will still be present.

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Posted By: Mike

I agree with Frank. Verbatim.

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Posted By: Dylan

Franks right. The cards that have had the most upside are most scarce and desirable. Go for the Magie.

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Posted By: jay behrens

take the beater rarity because that population is pretty finite. Condition rarity is a false rarity. With all the high tech doctoring available, condition rarity won't be that for much longer.

Jay

I love pinatas. You get to beat the crap of something and get rewarded with candy.

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Posted By: MVSNYC

i think you forgot an option:

several "sub-rarities" in mid-grade (PSA/SGC 4,5,6)...

i.e. Smith, Lundgren, Elberfeld, Kleinow, Dahlen, G. Brown, etc...

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Posted By: Fred C

Jay,

Take that thought one step further. If condition rarity is false rarity due to all the doctoring available then get the true rarity and doctor it to a condition rarity and you get the best of both worlds, a high grade rarity!

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Posted By: boxingcardman

If you are trying to make a buck, I have no idea--the problem is that you have to factor in 3 great unknowns--card doctoring, untapped populations of high grade cards, and the very thin market for high grade prewar cards--which cannot be appropriately analyzed. My view is always to take the rarity. Anyone putting together a set in any grade has to have one, regardless of grade, so it will always be in demand. I've never kicked myself for passing over a high grade common card but I still regret missing certain rarities when I had the chance to pull the trigger. My New Rule after a few of those near misses is to go for it on all of those cards when I see them and can afford them. To me, the so-called condition rarities are speculative investments, while the rarities are the blue chippers.

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Posted By: peter chao

Guys,

I would go for the PSA 1 Magie also. Have any of you guys seen any PSA cards graded less than a 1, is that the lowest possible grade?

Peter

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Posted By: Ed

Is it true that a PSA 1 Dutchman fetched over 100k? To think, a decent one could have been purchased in the late 70's for about 10k.

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Posted By: peter ullman

i agree in that I'd buy a rarity...which may have many faces! A magie or plank or o-hara or demmit st louis or a rare back such as a lennox, unit, drum, red hindu, bl 460 are also good investments.

pete ullman

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Posted By: Dave F

PSA would also slab cards authentic. Although I think that is usually high dollar cards that for one reason or another won't grade....ie, ripped too badly, possibly altered.

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Posted By: peter chao

Dave,

I've checked the PSA website, it does appear that PSA 1 is the lowest grade. They can also decide a card is ungradable because of restoration or changes. Card can also be graded authentic like you stated, thanks.

Peter

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Posted By: Jason L

buy the rarity when the opportunity is there.
Why:
because with the ever-increasing problems surrounding the doctoring and forgery of cards, the other stuff will always be around in whatever grade you want (in fact, the quantity of "hi-grade" material is actually going up every year!
BUT, if something just isn't around to be had, to be doctored, or otherwise ogled, then the price should rise disproportionately higher and faster than the rest of the population.

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Posted By: Scot Reader

As a pure T206 investment, I would spend the $5K on a PSA 7 or SGC 84 Young Portrait.

Nobody else has a major annual award named after him and 511 is untouchable.

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Posted By: T206Collector

Though Nolan Ryan (at 292) gave it a good run there before he wisened up and retired.

I'd take Cobb Green, Johnson Portrait or Matty Portrait any day of the week over a Young portrait of equal caliber.

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Posted By: Scot Reader

Paul,

I would take Cobb Green over a Young Portrait of equal caliber too, but a Cobb Green in NM graded by PSA or SGC would run a lot more than $5K.

I am not saying Young was a better pitcher than Matty or Johnson by any means but the the question posed is about investment potential. I think Young's cards will appeal to an ever-wider audience in the future because the 511 wins and the annual award will keep Young part of the zeitgeist. The same is not true for Matty or Johnson.

Scot

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Posted By: Denny

Scott,

I do believe your thinkin' is correct!
Late in 2005 I purchased a PSA 5 T206 Young for around $1200.00, a little more than a year later I sold it for $2600.00... So, IMO, It is a Grand option for the 5k/5 year strategy.... The Magie would be much more pleasing though, Only cuz I would like to own one for a bit... As far as which would bring a better return... Not sure, but I really wouldn't worry bout it, cuz they both would fair well in the end....

David,

You got me thinkin' bout the Magie idea...Dankz!

Life's Grand,
Denny Walsh

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Posted By: David

Thanks for are the different ideas. I started thinking about this looking at the amount of slabbed cards I had purchased in the last year.(my wife ever so nicely pointed out) One card is easier to catalogue and store. As of now I am purely a collector, but I am sure all of us hope the have a nice nest egg down the line, either to pass on or to liquidate. My wife and I jokingly call my cards my "nerd savings account." Hope to hear any other opinions.

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Posted By: boxingcardman

Your wife and mine must be talking...

I'd hate to look at my cards that way since it would hurt so much to cash them in. Besides, she'd only waste it on useless crap like food, shelter, health care, etc/ Remember, cards will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no cards.