52 Mantle Vs T206 Cobb

[MVSNYC]

Interesting topic. I have been a "T206 guy" for 25 years, and have owned some pretty cool cards. I've toiled with this very question, the one posed by the OP. Last year I decided to "branch-out" and invest in one (killer) card. I chose a clean, centered 52 Topps Mantle, a grade slightly higher than the OP mentioned. I'm very happy with it. It's incredibly iconic and gives you the chills when holding it. I would LOVE a nice Green Cobb (as I'm a big T206 collector), but, at the end of the day...a 52 Mantle, is a 52 Mantle.

[mark evans]

I agree 100%. But, at the end of the day, this is pretty subjective stuff: cards, artwork, cars, women....and so on and so forth.

{This was intended as a response to MVSYNC. Sorry.}

[irv]

Originally Posted by KendallCat

Not all PSA 2.5/3 Mantles are beater class. With the Mantle centering is key and maybe 10% have decent centering and eye appeal. Tons of 5's-7's with 75/25 centering which makes the card not very attractive. BTW - I would prefer my PSA 3 beater over any Cobb 5/6.

That is an unbelievable 3, imo. Is there something severely wrong with the back or something else we can't see in the scan?

When I first seen it, I was thinking 6-7, not 3.

[sterlingfox]

Originally Posted by irv

That is an unbelievable 3, imo. Is there something severely wrong with the back or something else we can't see in the scan?

When I first seen it, I was thinking 6-7, not 3.

While still extremely visually appealing, I see a faint amount of paper loss on the upper right corner.

[ullmandds]

Originally Posted by sterlingfox

While still extremely visually appealing, I see a faint amount of paper loss on the upper right corner.

and a faint crease horizontally through the ny in micks hat. nonetheless a gorgeous card!!!

[irv]

Originally Posted by sterlingfox

While still extremely visually appealing, I see a faint amount of paper loss on the upper right corner.

Originally Posted by ullmandds

and a faint crease horizontally through the ny in micks hat. nonetheless a gorgeous card!!!

You guys likely have better eyes than me and more experience, so I'll have to take your word for it that those are the reasons as I can see neither of those.

Imo, this is a clear, buy the card not the slab situation.

[ullmandds]

Originally Posted by irv

You guys likely have better eyes than me and more experience, so I'll have to take your word for it that those are the reasons as I can see neither of those.

Imo, this is a clear, buy the card not the slab situation.

and it appears creasing/wrinkling mid neck.

[MVSNYC]

Here's the thing...if we're talking purely for an investment. It's all about supply and demand. Both cards have great demand, but there's a far larger audience for the Mantle, it crosses over outside of the Hobby...Yes there's less green cobbs, but he has a specific niche audience. And this is coming from a passionate T206 collector.

[Neal]

Originally Posted by MVSNYC

but, at the end of the day...a 52 Mantle, is a 52 Mantle.

indeed

The 52 Topps Mantle is arguably the face card of the hobby

[Republicaninmass]

Originally Posted by Neal

indeed

The 52 Topps Mantle is arguably the face card of the hobby

Very arguably, as when someone hears I enjoy the hobby, they ask if I've had a t206...Wagner. now its the Same series as the Cobb, but their second question is usually about a 52 mantle.



Over the last 10 years the Mantle has performed better at almost a rate of 2-1

I have skin in both games, I cant help but feel in the current market that the Mantle has really peaked, whereas the Cobb has room to grow.