The hobby’s most iconic card under $15k?

[Belfast1933]

In follow-up to my weekend “would you sell 80% of your collection to purchase an ‘52 Topps Mantle” I wanted to start a 2nd post here with a spin-off question.

As background, I considered the possibility of selling 80% of my personal collection to fund the acquisition of a 1952 Topps Mantle (low grade).

In the end, after doing the math (literally), I would have to sell too deep and would have to sell cards that I enjoy too much. Instead, I categorized my collection into 3 segments:

- would never sell
- might sell
- yes, would sell… easy to replace someday and/or not a huge connection to the card

So… I have opted to focus only on my “yes, would sell” cards and have decided to drop my aim just a bit from ‘52 Topps Mantle and am back for more advice!

I estimate I’ll end up with a budget of about $15k and would love to add an exciting new, iconic card to my collection. See below for some of my early considerations. Thoughts on these options? Other options?

Thanks again, Net54 community. I enjoy and value your thoughts!

Jeff

[Louisville_Hugger]

I’d love to own any of those cards, but if I have 15k to drop I’m probably looking for a decent green Cobb as my first choice. That said, I solely collect t206 so I’m obviously partial to that set. Good luck…..I’m sure you’ll end up with something epic…

[bnorth]

For me it would be either of the 51 Bowman cards. Personally not a fan of any of the other cards. Best of luck on your choice.

[skelly423]

I'd give the nod to the 1952 Topps Jackie Robinson, with honorable mention to the t206 Green Ty Cobb Portrait.

[Mjpadilla84]

I’ll be selling this Topps 54 Hank Aaron soon for around 15k. If your interested shoot me a pm.

[mrreality68]

All great choices and you cannot go wrong with any of them.

With that said a Goudey Ruth is the card I would choose (especially the Red)

[rats60]

t206 Cobb Portrait (red or green) or 1933 Goudey Babe Ruth (#53 or #144). I would say those are equivalent and you really need one of each eventually. Look for the highest grade with best eye appeal you can find with your 15k.

I don't like to zero in on one card as it may not come up for sale. By having multiple options, you should be able to knock one off your want list in a short time frame.

[Belfast1933]

Originally Posted by Mjpadilla84

I’ll be selling this Topps 54 Hank Aaron soon for around 15k. If your interested shoot me a pm.

Thx but I already have a 54 Aaron... good luck with your sale!

[Republicaninmass]

Originally Posted by Belfast1933

Thx but I already have a 54 Aaron... good luck with your sale!

Hopefully Stevie Wonder didnt grade yours. Sheesh!

[investinrookies]

52T Jackie. His best looking card hands down, also his rarest mainstream issue. Also I think it has the most upside potential.


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[BioCRN]

15K budget...hear me out.

Imagine being the sole collector waking up every morning to 30,000+ 1988 Fleer Sammy Stewart cards greeting you everyday. Just something to consider.

[brianp-beme]

I believe the most iconic vintage card, and the one with the most potential future upside, that can be found for under 15k (15 koruna, which is Czech currency, and thus roughly equivalent to 68 cents), is the below example Irvin Wilhelm T205 Piedmont, as it still has the chance of someday, as the result of advances in baseball card paper loss identification technology, of being proven to be the rare "suffe ed" variation.

Brian

[ValKehl]

Originally Posted by brianp-beme

I believe the most iconic vintage card, and the one with the most potential future upside, that can be found for under 15k (15 koruna, which is Czech currency, and thus roughly equivalent to 68 cents), is the below example Irvin Wilhelm T205 Piedmont, as it still has the chance of someday, as the result of advances in baseball card paper loss identification technology, of being proven to be the rare "suffe ed" variation.

Brian

Brian, I don't know what you are doing/have done for a career, but if it isn't comedy, you have missed your calling!

[Belfast1933]

Originally Posted by BioCRN

15K budget...hear me out.

Imagine being the sole collector waking up every morning to 30,000+ 1988 Fleer Sammy Stewart cards greeting you everyday. Just something to consider.

Can't you just see Sammy rolling up in his Trans Am in the high school parking lots?

[JollyElm]

GreggJefferiesRookie.jpg

[Republicaninmass]

Interesting people still allowing multiples of the same card in low mid grade in the same auction.

Imo nothing as iconic as the 52 mantle. Better cards of better players, sure. But topps is still around and for all intents and purposes, this was their first issue. Like the first Corvette, not the best, but the first

Save up, wait for the crash...buy the mantle with cash.



It might not be a 90% but look for the right card when people need to sell. Not like you need a mantle today...thankfully. grossly overpriced IMO. More than enough to go around, people are just flipping week to week, auction to auction passing to the greater fool, or someone who both sold and bought the inflated pricing. I love it and glad I cashed in. My psa a, auto 6 signed 52 mantle did over 100k . No regrets on that on3

[MVSNYC]

Zach Wheat- thanks!

[investinrookies]

I’d also add a low grade high eye appeal 48 leaf Robinson to this list.


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[Foo3112]

I will be answering in terms of investment since price is being factored into the question.

1954 Topps Hank Aaron.

PSA 7's are hovering around the 15k mark. If you want a nicely centered one, you'll have to pay a bit more. But one can certainly be picked one up at that price still.

Sure, you can also go with a low grade 33 Goudey Ruth or even a low to mid-grade red/green Cobb, but the way I see it, when comparing to the Aaron RC, the Cobb(s) came out about 50 years earlier and the Ruth was about 25 years later. But the Aaron (PSA 7) is already at the same price point as those other two. That and it being a PSA 7 tells me that in the long run, the Aaron would be at a much higher price point in the years to follow than those other two iconic cards.