Are your cards ===mint=== ???

[jb217676]

That's why I collect pre-war baseball postcards. Some are so darn rare you can't be picky when it comes to condition so I never ask. Sweet Ruth Leon!

[MattyC]

I am naturally wary of any old card that is too mint. Additionally, some wear on much older cards looks appropriate, adds charm and character, and thus-- for me-- enhances eye appeal.

Time and again we have seen cards in higher numerical grade (closer to MINT) look worse to the eye than lower grade examples.

I tend to really appreciate a collection that manages to find hugely appealing pieces that are not obvious mint blazers. Sure, if the money is in hand, it's easy to throw big dollars around and obtain a Mint 9 Mantle or Clemente RC. But try finding one that looks great for under 4k. The latter is some challenge.

Conversely, I don't see anything to celebrate when a card labeled MINT 9 or GEM MT 10 is purchased-- but it actually looks overgraded, as many are. I get a sinking feeling when I see a 10 being brandished, that say has obvious tilt or a touched corner.

I love cards with total pops in the 100-range or less, because you are just thrilled to have an example in your collection-- and one with any eye appeal is just gravy! Hence why most of my favorite cards are lowly 1s to 3s LOL.

[DeanH3]

I love cards with total pops in the 100-range or less, because you are just thrilled to have an example in your collection-- and one with any eye appeal is just gravy! Hence why most of my favorite cards are lowly 1s to 3s LOL.[/QUOTE]

This is where I find myself as well. I prefer overall rarity vs condition rarity.

[ullmandds]

great cards, Dean...I totally agree. But there can't be more than a few dozen max on those!!!!

[tschock]

While I appreciate mint cards, like many of you, almost all of mine are more of a "cinnamon" in nature.

[DeanH3]

Originally Posted by ullmandds

great cards, Dean...I totally agree. But there can't be more than a few dozen max on those!!!!

Thanks Pete.

[AMBST95]

The craze of the late 80s, early 90s really created a world full of idiots when it comes to card collecting. Most of my friends who I try to talk about collecting with have the similar mint mindset and still hold on to their shoeboxes full of 91 Topps hoping for a big payday one day because the cards are mint. My parents are like, "that's pretty neat" but always come back to "What is it worth?" That's why I don't regularly share my collection with others. People hear baseball cards and think stocks and bonds rather than strikes and balls.

I've learned to collect what I like, disregard the naysayers who can't appreciate a sweet card and only want to know how much money your collection is worth. They ask if the cards are mint because they equate mint to US Mint.