rare "commons"vs HOF

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Posted By: SCOTT ALTLAND

i'm getting back into collecting after a 2 year layoff, after selling my small prewar collection to pay for my wedding...i'm once again bitten by the cardboard bug!with limited funds ,i'm carefully considering my 1st purchase.i'm torn between hard to get caramels as a type purchase or a low grade HOF that is not scarce.i'm not asking advise but just for reader feedback as far as your own collecting experiences.
thanks,
scott

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Posted By: Andy

Good question Scott.

Personally, if I had the chance to pick up a rare card for the same price of the common HOFer, I would take the rare card. If it truly is rare, then you never know when you will have the chance to pick it up again and the common HOFer will always be available.

Now, if only I had the budget to have this problem...

Thanks,

Andy

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Posted By: Gilbert Maines

Assuming this is only opinions here, and we don't actually have to be correct; I agree with Andy. For a HOF card to rise in value over typical market changes, it has to have a fundamental reason to do so, such as it is the rookie card of the HOFer (and therefore is in high demand), it is the cheapest type card for that player (so, if you want that HOFer, this card gets you him at the least expense), or other fundamental advantages.
While with a rare card the question quickly becomes: which grade is best?

Edited to add:

With that being said, and with the caveat that I have been known to be incorrect, I think that you will never go wrong buying a top tier HOFer from a prime set, in totally terrible condition.

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Posted By: peter chao

If you want marketability and investment potential go with the HOFamer. If you are a hardcore collector go for the rarity.

Peter