Investment Potential

[LOUCARDFAN]

I have a friend that is looking to take around $5,000 and invest it into either sports cards or memorabilia to hold onto for 3-5 years. Does anyone have any recommendations on what would be the best to buy for investment purposes?

[Matt]

I don't know that there is a specific right answer to that question, but speaking in generalities, a rare card of a star player is probably the safest bet to appreciate.

[drdduet]

Since you asked, I'll give my opinion...

Stick with Ruth, Cobb, Wagner, Johnson, and Mathewson in the prewar realm--preferably Ruth, Cobb, or Wagner. Get a graded (PSA, BGS/BVG, or SGC) period specimen in Ex or better.


In the post war era I recommend Jackie Robinson, Hank Aaron, Willie Mays, and Mickey Mantle. Nrmt or better specimens have a good upside.

For current players I like Jeter, and in the other sports Peyton Manning, Tiger Woods, and Kobe Bryant. Try to get early auto cards of these guys, preferably rookies. On the modern stuff, I like them BVG graded with an auto grade--strive for a 9.5/10 grade.



For example,


Pre War
PSA 5 1915 Cracker Jack Cobb
SGC 70 E95 Wagner
BVG 5 1933 Goudey Ruth, any pose
PSA 7 M116 Johnson
SGC 60 E95 Cobb
SGC 60 E94 Matty
PSA 6 T206 Cobb--any pose, tougher backs a plus

Post War
PSA 8 1954 Topps Aaron
PSA 7 1952 Topps Mays
PSA 7 1953 Topps Mantle
PSA 8 1955 Bowman Mantle
PSA 8 1949 Bowman Robinson

Modern
BGS 9.5/10 2001 Sp Authentic Tiger Woods
BGS 9.5 1996 Topps Chrome Kobe Bryant
BGS 8/10 1998 Playoff Contenders Rookie Ticket Auto Peyton Manning
BGS 9/10 1993 Sp Authentic Rookie Buyback Auto Derek Jeter

Some other cards with good upside imho,

T206 Hindu's and other tougher backs
1914 and 1915 Cracker Jacks
1933 Sportskings Thorpe and Grange
1949 Bowman and 1953 Topps Satchell Paige
1950's Topps and Bowman Mays's and Aarons
High grade 1950's and 1960's football legends (e.g. Jim Brown & Johnny Unitas)
Modern day rookie autograph/patch cards (esp. from Sp Authentic, Bowman and Topps Chrome, Exquisite)

Good Luck, but most of all have fun...

[jbsports33]

Mickey Mantle has been the best investment in card collecting the last 5 years for me as many collectors keep buying them graded and ungraded. I would also keep investing in any early pre-1973 star Red Sox, Dodgers and Yankees cards some have been listed above. The 19th century market has really done well and interesting items keep coming around, so that is something to look at as well, but it can be a difficult market to jump into.

Good Luck

Jimmy

[mintacular]

plastics

[Robextend]

I don't think you can go wrong with high grade rookie cards of Koufax and Clemente.

[MVSNYC]

as others have mentioned above...ruth, cobb, gehrig, mathewson, mantle, joe d, etc.

i personally would take the $5000 and consider getting a great Ruth or Gehrig signed piece. at that price level you're looking at signed cuts, postcards or checks (with full PSA or JSA LOA). i'd put the piece away and forget about it for a few years...it will NOT go down in value, will most likely go up and give your friend a nice return.

if your friend wants something more modern, i also like Jeter now, you can get a great game-used bat of his for under $2000...in 3-5 years (as he eclipses 3500 hits) i see that same bat (PSA graded 8 or higher) AT LEAST doubling in price. just my opinion.

[drc]

A quality game used baseball bat could be a fair investment, in part as that hobby is growing. You could get a real nice Hall of Famer bat or bats for $5,000. Gameuseduniverse.com is a good collector's site for game used, with many knowledgeable collectors and dealers. Plus, the Mears Auctions often have a good variety of stuff.

One thing is to make sure your initial purchase price is good. A rising market value can be killed by originally paying too much. And, on the other hand, you could still turn a profit on a stable or falling market value if you originally purchased at a bargain. Getting something at a bargain price is always a good thing for the pocket book, whether you're reselling tomorrow or investing for five years.

If you're buying a Willie Mays game used bat, obviously there aren't going to be any half off coupons or Target blue light specials, but be conscious of wanting to pay a fair going price. I won't predict future values, but if you purchase a quality genuine Willie Mays bat, there will still be good demand for such an item in five years.