Willie Mays 1962 Topps #300 (PSA, SGC, BVG, GAI)

[62collector]

Originally Posted by sbfinley

Well.... All things considered, the card really isn't absurdly overpriced in my opinion. I don't collect 62's, but I know the set is condition sensitive. If you could get the card to cross to a 9 you could double your money in the right auction. Big IF, however, to preface that statement. The good news, it is an earlier GAI submission. By the cert number I'd place it's submission in late 2003 - early 2004. That doesn't match the seller's timeframe, but it's just an estimate on my part.

Look, GAI doesn't have the best reputation (and with understandable reason) but in my experience they were a fairly consistent grading for a short period following their inception. Some people will tell you anything grading by the company is garbage. If you want to live with that assumption more power to you, but by association you are also implying that early PSA graded items are garbage too. You know, considering the company was founded by early PSA President Steve Rocchi and he poached a number of their graders to create GAI. Times change, tech changes, grading standards have changed. I'd be just as nervous crossing or regrading early PSA and SGC cards as I would early GAI cards. It's all a gamble, but more importantly it is a gamble on someone's opinion.

Personally, no... If I was working the set in high grade I likely wouldn't gamble on the card. That opinion, however, comes from my biased way of collecting. I don't particularly have a need from my cards to all be ultra-high grade. I don't put my cards on a registry. I don't consider my collection an investment. I don't disparage people who do, and if I did (knowing what I do) it might be a card I would consider gambling on although I would have been fine with the BVG card you mentioned.

Anywho, good luck with the set and have fun.

Thanks for the information. The card was actually purchased in 06-07 buyer the owner (mistype on my part) ,so I'm not sure when it was slabbed. I'm not as much hung up on value or profit possibility as I am on saving a buck if crosses over to a PSA 8? I would keep it (well unless PSA gave it a 10 lol..then i would buy a new truck) , but I don't want to lose my pants either and own a really nice looking trimmed '62 Mays (even though my Grandma would get the last laugh). Again, I was referred to this site for vintage information awhile ago and have been lurking forever. I will keep everyone updated. Thanks again

[KCRfan1]

Are you in a position to measure or have the card measured? You could have the seller hold a ruler to the card....

Rightly or wrongly, I am assuming that the gasket holding the card is wavey and the card doesn't have a bad trim job.

Do some due diligence and you may get a great card at a good price.

[hammer]

Do yourself a favor and pass on the GAI card and just buy a PSA centered 7 It will save you a big headache.

[62collector]

Originally Posted by hammer

Do yourself a favor and pass on the GAI card and just buy a PSA centered 7 It will save you a big headache.

The 7's aren't even popping up as much anymore and the ones that do all seem to have jacked up centering (recent ones). Centering and my OCD don't mix. I'm shooting for a 8 for now though. PSA 8 '62 topps seems to be getting buried in collections or maybe it's just high graded vintage in general.

[Laxcat]

'62's are great. I would hold out for a different card. The gaskets make all their stuff look trimmed but I'm curious about the upper right corner. It doesn't sit right with me. Of course, that is just in the picture.

I'd just hold out. I think there are TONS of REALLY nice ungraded 62's out there. If they are realizing these prices I feel more will become graded.

Good luck with the set.

[pokerplyr80]

It's a very long shot at best that there hasn't been an attempt to cross it yet. But if you can get it for around the price of a PSA 7 and feel like taking a gamble I would think worst case scenario you send it in, it doesn't cross, just send it to an auction house and you should get what you paid back out of it. There are plenty of other gamblers out there as is evident by the sales of all the mantle reprints on ebay.

[62collector]

Originally Posted by Laxcat

'62's are great. I would hold out for a different card. The gaskets make all their stuff look trimmed but I'm curious about the upper right corner. It doesn't sit right with me. Of course, that is just in the picture.

I'd just hold out. I think there are TONS of REALLY nice ungraded 62's out there. If they are realizing these prices I feel more will become graded.

Good luck with the set.

Little Update: I noticed '62 PSA 8 Mantle just ended for $5,755.00. I figured it would bring a bit more than that considering the Mays got $4,000. Is Mays going up or is that about the going rate. I've decided against gambling on GAI 9.5 and just buying a PSA 8 Mays next time ones comes up. Just wondering if $3800-4200 bid will put me in the ballpark. I'm not to familiar with current rates on the big names in the set and they've obviously spiked a bit in the last year.

[glynparson]

This card is notoriously a tough card in non altered PSA 8 or better condition. That is why it brings so much money. A truly tough card from the 1960's. Good luck on your quest. I personally would avoid that particular (GAI 9.5) Willie Mays card.