If you had $750 to spend...Cobb or Jordan

[mintacular]

from a purely investment standpoint which would be a better buy: Low-Grade T206 1909-11 Red Cobb or NM-MT '86 Jordan RC?

[FrankWakefield]

I think the consensus answer here will be the opposite of the consensus answer from some modern refractor all sports board...


Neither, is my answer. Invest in mutual funds, stocks, bonds, real estate, an education, a home... not ballcards.

[Gradedcardman]

Cobb in my humble opinion, which is worth ??

[kcohen]

Originally Posted by FrankWakefield

Invest in mutual funds, stocks, bonds, real estate, an education, a home... not ballcards.

plastics

[ls7plus]

They'll both probably appreciate--slowly! There's just too many of each!

Larry

[Ladder7]

Buy my Jordan.













( I could use the cash to buy a Cobb)

[JamesGallo]

IMO the Jordan RC is dead and has been for some time. I see Cobbs always sell strongly, not so of Jordan. Don't get me wrong I think he was the best and still is they just can not be compared IMO. You could get a decent Cobb for that money and it would only buy you an "8" Jordan.

Cobb is better with ease, but just as much from the standpoint as your not comparing apples with apples.

James G

[Big Ben]

Originally Posted by FrankWakefield

I think the consensus answer here will be the opposite of the consensus answer from some modern refractor all sports board...


Neither, is my answer. Invest in mutual funds, stocks, bonds, real estate, an education, a home... not ballcards.

In terms of pure investments, I very much agree with you.

However, in terms of a hobby as an investment I would pick the Cobb over the Jordan rookie. That being said, I was in a similar situation last year and very much looked at Cobb cards. However at that price range for a graded card, I chose a T206 Matthewson card as I could get a better quality card for the money. If I had that type of money today to put into my collecting hobby, I would probably go after an Old Judge card.
Best of luck with your decision.

[DanP]

Originally Posted by FrankWakefield

I think the consensus answer here will be the opposite of the consensus answer from some modern refractor all sports board...


Neither, is my answer. Invest in mutual funds, stocks, bonds, real estate, an education, a home... not ballcards.

Frank, I understand what you are saying and for the most part agree with you. However, I sold my business in 1997. I wish I bought a Wagner T206, Babe Ruth RC, etc. rather than investing in mutual funds, stocks, bonds, real estate, etc. I guess if I picked out the few stocks that have done well since 1997 (i.e. Apple) I'd feel differently. However, I think it's a lot easier to pick out which cards will do well over time then it is a stock!!

[iwantitiwinit]

No question COBB. When in doubt buy vintage especially when we are talking comparable level of players. In my opinion, buying anything post 1970 is a losing proposition, just too much of it around and its too easily obtainable. Just look at the decline in Yount, Brett, even some pre-1970 cards like Seaver rookies. I buy only t206's and still have no true faith that they will hold thier value. Eventually there is a chance that everything will simply be looked at as a piece of cardboard.

[mintacular]

The reason I brought this up is to see if anyone would go with Jordan and still a "no". The current market reflects that each one is currently worth around $750 but I guess most folks feel the full population bubble still has not popped yet on Jordan Rcs. I did a search and there seem to be around 20+ Cobbs for sale right now and 30+ Jordans so supply is not so far apart at least from this sample. It was my undertstanding that the basketball set was not mass-produced and therefore a flooding of Jordan RCs in the marketplace is not likely. Additionally, I wonder if in 10, 20, 30 years Jordan will holder a stronger "iconic" status and Cobb not nearly as much. It would be interesting to see if Mantle, Ruth, Clemente could become the "classic" card for middle-age folks to collect in terms of vintage and whether or not Cobb would lose some popularity in this regard....

[autograf]

There have to be WAY more Jordan's out there in multiples to the sum of all (4) Cobbs.........I bought boxes of 1986 Fleer BKB for $12/box in the day........each box would make (3) complete sets of cards and (3) complete sets of stickers with a few leftovers. Sold the sets with stickers for $8.00 each and doubled my money. But....if I'd kept a few boxes, I'd have done better, huh? While I don't think they were produced in 1988 Donruss Baseball numbers, they are in no terms scarce....I'd take the Cobb, any Cobb, any day. Still interesting to see all the responses..............