What should I do?????

[661fish]

Okay guys, I am a newbie to this forum. I have been collecting the 56 Topps set for almost 10 years now. I collect Ex to Nrmt with 60% Exmt. I have all the key cards except Ford, Killebrew, Checklist 2/4, and the Yankees team card. I only need 20 cards to complete the set. I had some 54 topps and 55 topps, and now I have been buying mostly 54 and some 55 cards. The reason I have not completed the 56 set is the price of the key cards in 54 and 55, have gone through the roof in price, especially graded. I feel that if I don't start now it will be to late, being that a graded 5 Clemente is 3 grand. Thank God I have the Aaron rookie and most star cards from 54. Also I break out the graded cards cause I want my sets raw. Am I going about putting these sets together the wrong way? Should I just focus on one set at a time? Thanx.

[KCRfan1]

Personally, I believe you're making a big mistake busting out graded stars. Those cards are far more valuable graded than ungraded.

The sets I have collected, the major stars are graded and the commons are ungraded but in near mint condition. This may be an option to consider.

You can always work on the common cards, so I would be inclined to get the key cards and stars out of he way first. As for a 55 Clemente, that may be one you get a much lesser grade and work on a better one down the road.

The stars and key cards are going to appreciate much faster than the commons will.

I'm sure others have their own opinions, and will chime in.

Just my two cents worth though.

[swarmee]

I would agree that if you buy high grade cards, you shouldn't break them out, but that's your collection. Why not just buy high grade raw cards?

[661fish]

My Aaron rookie is slabbed. But some of the stars were 5'sand 6's. I can see the point about not breaking them out, but a dealer told me once that getting cards that grade 5 and 6 aren't really worth getting graded unless there are the key cards. I understand going after the major cards. I did that with the 56's but even the 54 commons at exmt are way too pricey.

[pokerplyr80]

If you want to finish a set I would focus on finishing the 56 set, then moving on. 55 Clements prices have come back down to earth, so now may be a good time to pick one up. I also would not recommend cracking these cards out. Maybe pick up a reprint to fill a spot in an album, and keep the real card in the holder.

[661fish]

I guess I'll start going after the money cards, but how has a Clemente rookie come back down to earth?I thought the 56 Mantle was way overpriced, but to pay 3 g's for a 5 or raw EX??? Imho that card is way overpriced.