52 Mantle Vs T206 Cobb

[packs]

I'd rather have the Mantle. It transcends cards whereas the Cobb is just a grail to people who collect cards, and maybe not even really on that level to people who don't collect pre-war. I was able to pick up a very nice T206 Cobb Green graded SGC 20 for technical reasons for $1,600 but I would never be able to pick up the Mantle for that, even a terrible one. That alone signifies where the cards are headed if you ask me.

[58pinson]

In keeping with the spirit of the thread I voted for the Mantle. Under the conditions stated it would be my choice. No knock on Mr. Cobb but the Mantle is a truly iconic piece of Americana, and I hate the word iconic.
That said, if the $20k is an investment vehicle I think laying it all into one card is not diversified enough. My limited 2¢ from the bleachers.

[Rookiemonster]

Mantle is my choice .

He is the better player

More iconic.

It's a topps card.

It's gaining more recognition then the Cobb will ever get.

I'm a Yankees fan.

Some shmucks still think it's his rookie

[gemmint77]

I would go with the Mantle. Already own a nice red T206 Cobb. That Mantle card would hold value better over the years to come. Good luck

[Sean]

I would take the Cobb, but of course I'm a T206 guy.

[EvilKing00]

i voted cobb - BUT as a real estate broker id strongly advise buying either card over solar panels.

[PhillipAbbott79]

To re-iterate the concept, the idea is not who you like more or what you collect, but rather what you think is a better investment having the highest gains over the given time period.

[Touch'EmAll]

Mantle is in the wheelhouse of the Baby Boomers. They saw him, they were in awe of him, they have the Mantle hype near their whole life. What might happen as the baby boomers pass? Then we are left with collectors who aren't in so close touch with Mantle. He will always be top tier icon/player, but might his "pull" subside? I, for instance, agree Mantle is Big Time. But for my budget, I feel he is overvalued and thus have not put money into his cards. I would rather put my money elsewhere (T206 HOF'ers and the like). Will more people feel the way I do as more time passes? The hype of the crowd frenzy and keep up with the Jones' mentality could continue strong as ever...or not?

[iwantitiwinit]

if I had too make a choice I'd take the Cobb and for 3 reasons: 1) if values don't rise I'd rather have the higher quality card 2) while mantle is currently more popular in 20 years I feel he will be less iconic because collectors memories of him playing will wane and that population of those actually having seen him play will shrink dramatically and 3) there are far fewer examples of the Cobb available.

[packs]

How do people feel about the likelihood of a Cobb PSA 6 being trimmed? Does that detract you from the card at all? Would be tough to slip a trimmed Mantle by but I have heard many times that high grade cards from the era are trim suspects at least part of the time. With such a low number of 6's, is that card a candidate in the future?