Just how much does condition affect value?

[thehoodedcoder]

Originally Posted by obcmac

Well, condition directly impacts demand, so it does affect value. As for collecting...I always describe myself as a low to ultra-low grade collector. I don't know that I've ever not bought a card for condition reasons...only for price reasons. I don't collect memorabilia at all, but I understand that people want their game used stuff to look game used...that's sort of the way I feel about cards. Cracker Jacks are a good example...I want them to look like they came out of a box of cracker jack.

To get back to the question...condition is much more important on cards that are easy to find. VG may get you 10-20% of book in common post-war and poors may get 50-1000% of book in rare pre-wars.

i disagree. most people would love to have a higher grade card, if they could afford it. more people want a nicer card, then a lower grade card. that is why nicer cards go for more money. they are more desirable.

the price, affects demand at that price. the condition that they buy is a bi product of the supply and demand curve with respect to the price at the given condition.

there are however, people that believe beaters have character. so obviously it needs to be said, that not everyone thinks the same way. your example of a rare prewar card and the value for it, is really driven by the number of them. the fact that they are rare, and the number of people want them, is high when compared to the quantities.

as an extreme example and also highly unlikely: a card could be very very rare, if no one will buy the card, then its 'worthless'. you can't sell it or trade it, and consequently it has no value.

kevin