Comparing a cards scarcity/rarity to a T206 Wagner

[JustinD]

I honestly would not call this a reasonable measure as I know of no ungraded T206 Wags but there are astronomical numbers of ungraded T206 cards in collections and drawers. I have several personal friends with ungraded cobbs both red and green and I certainly do not know every person.

I see where you are going, but using comparison to sets such as Baltimore News with most known examples graded in comparison to a set that I personally would believe more ungraded examples exist just seems to have a lack of defense.

The Wagner in truth is far smaller to known set examples, likely a couple more positions past that decimal.

However, I think pure numbers is a strong measurement and this measurement proposed is disregarding far more rare cards simply because the entire set is rare. I guess it’s perspective for the collector, I like pure rarity as my ultimate dream card is a 1910 Washington Times Ty Cobb. I see that even with unlimited funding, as there is one, I would still likely never own it. With the Wags, it is rare based on production numbers but a guess is that at least 4 have come up for sale in around the past 18 months. I could certainly have one.

That’s my measurement, could I possibly find one? With the Wagner, it’s a resounding yes.

[benjulmag]

Originally Posted by JustinD

I honestly would not call this a reasonable measure as I know of no ungraded T206 Wags but there are astronomical numbers of ungraded T206 cards in collections and drawers.

7 of the known T206 Wagners are ungraded, 5 of which IMO would rank in the top 10 condition-wise.

[cubman1941]

Just my nickel worth - everyone makes great points. If I remember right, when the 1st T206 was going to be sold, there was a greart deal made that it was 1 of only 5 known (at that time) ones. That fact and the person who bought it was really publicized in newspapers and magazine articles. In otherwords. it got lots of publicity. Everytime after that it sold there was more of the same. It was always touted as THE rare card. No one ever mentioned or, if it was, it was ignored that more Wagners had been found. My point is the publicity is what makes this such a "rare" card. Only inside the hobby can the points made above and discussed, outside the hobby publicity reigns.