Operationalizing rarity

[Leon]

It depends on what we are talking about. If it's a type card to start with, then maybe 5 or less is rare, to me.
If it is from a mainstream set, that number can jump greatly. Then, there are other aspects of rarity, such as condition rarity. I hear there are more, vintage high grade cards being made every day....Tip- buy cards with bigger borders.

[brian1961]

Originally Posted by Leon

It depends on what we are talking about. If it's a type card to start with, then maybe 5 or less is rare, to me.
... Then, there are other aspects of rarity, such as condition rarity. ...

One of my favorite sets is a post-war regional / food issue, the 1953 Stahl-Meyer Franks. Only 9 comprise the set, but it's a condition nightmare. Case in point: Mickey Mantle. The current PSA pop report is:

AUTHENTIC--2

PSA 1 / 1.5 -- 50

PSA 2 -- 8

PSA 3 -- 1

PSA 4 -- 2

PSA 5 -- 0

PSA 6 -- 2

PSA 7 -- 1

PSA 8 -- 0

PSA 9 -- 1

PSA 10 -- 0

A fascinating breakdown. You can pound the table all you wish about absolute rarity, and count the Authentics and PSA 1s. Be that as it may, since most of them were issued within the package of frankfurters (having marinated in the not so nice greasy / watery hot dog juice and goo) as a package stiffener, the resultant "free prize" was a less than tantalizing PSA 1 - 2 right from the start. Long to short, when it comes to Stahl-Meyer Franks, CONDITION RARITY CARRIES AN IMMENSE AMOUNT OF WEIGHT (I.E. SPECIAL SIGNIFICANCE).

Food for thought. --- Brian Powell

[paul]

Aren't there more than 10 Baltimore Ruths? I think whatever the number is, that card has to be considered rare. You never see it for sale.

[oldjudge]

Paul—I believe the number is nine or ten

[wagnerj03]

Quick question on this.....

You have a rare card that is PSA and you prefer it in a SGC slab. When you crack it out and resubmit it for grading to SGC, what happens? Does SGC notify PSA to take it out of the registry? Or does it artificially increase the pop of the card by +1?

[Bigdaddy]

Originally Posted by wagnerj03

Quick question on this.....

You have a rare card that is PSA and you prefer it in a SGC slab. When you crack it out and resubmit it for grading to SGC, what happens? Does SGC notify PSA to take it out of the registry? Or does it artificially increase the pop of the card by +1?

I'm guessing that both PSA and SGC have each other on their respective 'Blocked Callers List.'

[Exhibitman]

John, my understanding is that the only way to get the pop and cert tables adjusted is to send the company the cracked-out label with a request to remove it. Makes sense to me; can you imagine the lunacy that would ensue if you could get a card taken out of a pop or cert report just for asking?