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Topps VS OPC baseball observations...

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  • sayheywyosayheywyo Posts: 587 ✭✭✭✭

    Congratulations to the OPC sellers.

  • craig44craig44 Posts: 11,747 ✭✭✭✭✭

    wow, $2.6k seems like a very good sale! I wonder what the previous 2 went for?

    To put into perspective, how much OPC cards have increased over the years, I purchased a 68 OPC ryan in PSA 7 in 2013. If memory serves, I paid around $1.5k for it. I certainly paid <$2k. I dont know how much that card would be worth today, but certainly more than the $2.6k the PSA 2 just sold for.

    It is nice to see OPC start to increase. I would like to think this is just the tip of iceberg.

    George Brett, Roger Clemens and Tommy Brady.

  • brad31brad31 Posts: 2,954 ✭✭✭✭✭

    I hope they stay down for a while. There are way more I need to buy still. Half way through a ‘65 HOF set, a little over 1/3 complete on a ‘71 HOF set and almost finished with a ‘77 HOF set. Still need a ‘69 Banks for that run. Have a smattering of ‘70, ‘72, ‘73. Haven’t even dabbled in ‘74 and ‘75 yet. The only good thing about increased prices is some come out of the woodwork but I would rather my $ go further.

  • olb31olb31 Posts: 3,692 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @craig44 said:
    wow, $2.6k seems like a very good sale! I wonder what the previous 2 went for?

    To put into perspective, how much OPC cards have increased over the years, I purchased a 68 OPC ryan in PSA 7 in 2013. If memory serves, I paid around $1.5k for it. I certainly paid <$2k. I dont know how much that card would be worth today, but certainly more than the $2.6k the PSA 2 just sold for.

    It is nice to see OPC start to increase. I would like to think this is just the tip of iceberg.

    And it should be. Quality of the cards, low print runs -- make these cards nearly impossible to find in 8's are better for 1976 and older.

    Work hard and you will succeed!!
  • olb31olb31 Posts: 3,692 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Nice!!

    Work hard and you will succeed!!
  • 1982FBWaxMemories1982FBWaxMemories Posts: 1,923 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @RonSportscards said:

    @Mikeygiggs_336699 said:

    @RonSportscards said:

    The next cert number is another OPC Ryan in PSA 4 MC.
    Followed by a 53 Mays in a 4, 54 Banks in a 4, and a 55 Koufax in Authentic.

    The cards were part of a big consignment that were sent to be graded and sold on eBay. The seller is a known consignment seller in Canada and gets really good prices for his customers. The cards were all sold recently if you check his eBay page in the completed listings.

    I accidentally deleted my next sentence in that post saying tough grade on the Koufax, as I couldn't figure what would make it an Authentic grade.
    I could maybe see a ST or MK possibly added to a number grade.
    Re-reading the grading standard for Authentic, looks like PSA changed their policy.
    A card could be altered and still be slabbed. (Not saying the Koufax is)
    In the past, PSA didn't slab altered cards. (Of course I'm talking in the '90s. I hadn't realized that changed.)

    uhm they did at least twice in the 90's :)

    It's the singer not the song - Peter Townshend (1972)

  • RonSportscardsRonSportscards Posts: 1,015 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @82FootballWaxMemorys said:

    @RonSportscards said:

    @Mikeygiggs_336699 said:

    @RonSportscards said:

    The next cert number is another OPC Ryan in PSA 4 MC.
    Followed by a 53 Mays in a 4, 54 Banks in a 4, and a 55 Koufax in Authentic.

    The cards were part of a big consignment that were sent to be graded and sold on eBay. The seller is a known consignment seller in Canada and gets really good prices for his customers. The cards were all sold recently if you check his eBay page in the completed listings.

    I accidentally deleted my next sentence in that post saying tough grade on the Koufax, as I couldn't figure what would make it an Authentic grade.
    I could maybe see a ST or MK possibly added to a number grade.
    Re-reading the grading standard for Authentic, looks like PSA changed their policy.
    A card could be altered and still be slabbed. (Not saying the Koufax is)
    In the past, PSA didn't slab altered cards. (Of course I'm talking in the '90s. I hadn't realized that changed.)

    uhm they did at least twice in the 90's :)

    When my naive self subbed a '71 Aaron, it was not slabbed and sent back in the card saver/do not grade.
    I can't remember if they charged me back then. I think they did.
    Apparently it was sharpie'd up. (No way, people really do that? LOL)
    I'm thinking today, PSA would slab that card and label it Authentic.

    And yeah, I'm sure there are plenty of slabbed trimmed cards.
    Also, back in the day, I walked into a card shop and the owner had a guillotine cutter right on the front counter in plain sight, with stacks of hundreds of cards next to it. He was just cutting away as I talked to him about cards I was looking for. I guess he felt the need to explain himself, probably from the puzzled look on my face, that he was "fixing" all these cards because they weren't cut right from the factory.

  • olb31olb31 Posts: 3,692 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Update on OPC cards.

    The number of OPC PSA 10's from 1986 and down are being gobbled up at a fast pace.

    1) There aren't a whole lot to begin with

    2) The chance of anymore PSA 10 1986 and older OPC is really low.

    Look for huge price increases in the next couple of years. There just aren't enough of them. And raw sets and unopened boxes are very expensive compared to Topps.

    Work hard and you will succeed!!
  • olb31olb31 Posts: 3,692 ✭✭✭✭✭

    How did this turn into a question and answer post, I didn't change it.

    Work hard and you will succeed!!
  • olb31olb31 Posts: 3,692 ✭✭✭✭✭

    1983 opc sandberg psa 10 sold for nearly $6k a couple of days ago. topps psa 10 sandberg sells for around $1200. 5 times difference.

    Work hard and you will succeed!!
  • craig44craig44 Posts: 11,747 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @olb31 said:
    1983 opc sandberg psa 10 sold for nearly $6k a couple of days ago. topps psa 10 sandberg sells for around $1200. 5 times difference.

    yes, I was watching that one. it really shot up at the end. I sure wish Boggs had an opc rookie

    George Brett, Roger Clemens and Tommy Brady.

  • olb31olb31 Posts: 3,692 ✭✭✭✭✭

    I have one that I purchased in 2014. I paid $425. What a huge increase. I have a 9 that looks like a 10, been meaning to have it reviewed by psa, sgc or both if need be.

    Work hard and you will succeed!!
  • craig44craig44 Posts: 11,747 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @olb31 said:
    I have one that I purchased in 2014. I paid $425. What a huge increase. I have a 9 that looks like a 10, been meaning to have it reviewed by psa, sgc or both if need be.

    I have a gwynn, still need the Ryno. I will probably just pick up a nice raw copy at some point.

    George Brett, Roger Clemens and Tommy Brady.

  • olb31olb31 Posts: 3,692 ✭✭✭✭✭

    The gwynn is around 9k or 10K?

    Work hard and you will succeed!!
  • craig44craig44 Posts: 11,747 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @olb31 said:
    The gwynn is around 9k or 10K?

    Mine is just raw. I think a psa 10 OPC gwynn would be over 20K.

    George Brett, Roger Clemens and Tommy Brady.

  • olb31olb31 Posts: 3,692 ✭✭✭✭✭

    I picked up a 1983 opc Gwynn BGS 9.5 (two 2 10's and 2 9.5's) for $299 around 2012. If your $20k is correct, then the 9.5 should be at least 3K.

    Work hard and you will succeed!!
  • 1966CUDA1966CUDA Posts: 2,013 ✭✭✭✭

    I have a 1983 OPC wax pack with Sandberg on back that I was going to send in for grading. I have read horror storys of packs getting damaged or gum coming loose and pocking thru the pack. Is it worth getting graded or just sell raw?

  • craig44craig44 Posts: 11,747 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @1966CUDA said:
    I have a 1983 OPC wax pack with Sandberg on back that I was going to send in for grading. I have read horror storys of packs getting damaged or gum coming loose and pocking thru the pack. Is it worth getting graded or just sell raw?

    I would be very hesitant to send a wax pack in for grading. too many packs have been destroyed with loose gum.

    George Brett, Roger Clemens and Tommy Brady.

  • craig44craig44 Posts: 11,747 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @olb31 said:
    I picked up a 1983 opc Gwynn BGS 9.5 (two 2 10's and 2 9.5's) for $299 around 2012. If your $20k is correct, then the 9.5 should be at least 3K.

    I just checked and one sold in march for just a tick under $27k!!! it seems my estimate was low!!

    that price is crazy when you consider you can get a psa 9 for $400-$500.

    does that place the 83 opc gwynn above the 87 opc bonds?

    George Brett, Roger Clemens and Tommy Brady.

  • craig44craig44 Posts: 11,747 ✭✭✭✭✭

    I am very glad OPC is finally getting its due!!

    George Brett, Roger Clemens and Tommy Brady.

  • olb31olb31 Posts: 3,692 ✭✭✭✭✭

    I think a bonds sold for over $35k not to long ago. OPC PSA 10's are hot right now because there just isn't that many out there. People are asking crazy prices for 1991 and down. I like collecting the cardboard too (1991 and down). Tiffany's/glossy are red hot too.

    Work hard and you will succeed!!
  • olb31olb31 Posts: 3,692 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @craig44 said:

    @1966CUDA said:
    I have a 1983 OPC wax pack with Sandberg on back that I was going to send in for grading. I have read horror storys of packs getting damaged or gum coming loose and pocking thru the pack. Is it worth getting graded or just sell raw?

    I would be very hesitant to send a wax pack in for grading. too many packs have been destroyed with loose gum.

    I like the rack packs over the wax packs. if you can see the card in the wax, it's probably damaged, not so in the racks.

    Work hard and you will succeed!!
  • BaltimoreYankeeBaltimoreYankee Posts: 3,104 ✭✭✭✭✭

    One of the things I like about OPC that may not have been mentioned in this thread: The set sizes for baseball tend to be smaller. For example, 1970 does not have the high number run (but '71 does).
    This can lead to a lot less common player cards. Take 1978: the Topps set is 726 cards while OPC is 242. The ratio of star/HOF players to commons is much greater in OPC. Take the Yankees, fresh off winning the WS in 1977 and about to win another in '78: With OPC, you still get Reggie, Munson, Nettles, Guidry, Hunter, Gossage, etc but you don't get the filler players like Dell Alston, Mickey Klutts, George Zeber and Ken Clay.

    Daniel
  • olb31olb31 Posts: 3,692 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Nice observation. Thus why I chose to collect the 1978 opc Set on the PSA registry. Small and collectible.

    Work hard and you will succeed!!
  • handymanhandyman Posts: 5,431 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Love this topic. Another view I enjoy is the value I get buying the 1979 topps gretzky vs the expensive opc version.
    Both cards are great and I like that the topps one cost less.

  • craig44craig44 Posts: 11,747 ✭✭✭✭✭

    here is a topic I sometime think about. What do you guys think are the top 10 OPC rookie cards?

    my list changes almost every time I think about it. Here are some I think have to be on the list:
    68 Ryan
    75 Brett
    73 Schmidt
    83 Gwynn
    87 Bonds

    then there are a whole bunch that I waver on...
    65 Morgan
    70 Munson
    71 Blyleven
    71 Garvey
    72 Fisk
    74 Winfield
    75 Yount
    75 carter
    75 rice
    78 Murray
    79 Smith
    83 Sandberg
    84 Mattingly
    85 Puckett
    90 Thomas
    91 Chipper

    and there are probably some I missed.

    George Brett, Roger Clemens and Tommy Brady.

  • craig44craig44 Posts: 11,747 ✭✭✭✭✭

    I think today I would add Morgan, Winfield, Yount, Murray and Ozzie to the list.

    tomorrow that list will change...

    George Brett, Roger Clemens and Tommy Brady.

  • olb31olb31 Posts: 3,692 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Nice Raines. I have a 2 9's of the gray back. Of course yours is perfect.

    Here are a few other OPC that might not be rookies or could be that are nice

    1990 Griffey Jr. - SOSA (his card has a black streak on the border, and they way it's graded is ???).
    1989 Randy Johnson
    1981 Gibson
    1987 Canseco
    1977 Fidrych
    1976 Eckersley
    1974 Griffey sr, Tanana, Madlock, Dent, Parker
    1975 Hernandez Lynn

    Work hard and you will succeed!!
  • Mikeygiggs_336699Mikeygiggs_336699 Posts: 181 ✭✭✭✭

    @craig44 said:
    here is a topic I sometime think about. What do you guys think are the top 10 OPC rookie cards?

    my list changes almost every time I think about it. Here are some I think have to be on the list:
    68 Ryan
    75 Brett
    73 Schmidt
    83 Gwynn
    87 Bonds

    then there are a whole bunch that I waver on...
    65 Morgan
    70 Munson
    71 Blyleven
    71 Garvey
    72 Fisk
    74 Winfield
    75 Yount
    75 carter
    75 rice
    78 Murray
    79 Smith
    83 Sandberg
    84 Mattingly
    85 Puckett
    90 Thomas
    91 Chipper

    and there are probably some I missed.

    1974 Winfield should be considered just based on the scarcity.

  • sayheywyosayheywyo Posts: 587 ✭✭✭✭

    Have you ever noticed that OPC are not included in any basic player runs, but Bowman & even '63 Fleer are?

  • brad31brad31 Posts: 2,954 ✭✭✭✭✭

    1) ‘37 OPC Feller
    2) Ryan
    3) Schmidt
    4) Morgan
    5) Winfield much tougher than the 75s
    5) Brett
    6) Yount
    7) Fisk
    8) Blyleven
    9) Simmons
    10) Carter

    I am more of a 50s to 70s collector and don’t collect PSA10s in any era so my list will probably differ than most. If you look at 10s like the chat has done for the 80s there are 0 10s of Blyleven or Simmons. Bet if one surfaced it would go for more than Boggs. I have half the cards on my list so far. Really thought of bumping Blyleven and Simmons above the ‘75 guys because there is much less availability.

  • Mikeygiggs_336699Mikeygiggs_336699 Posts: 181 ✭✭✭✭

    @brad31 said:
    1) ‘37 OPC Feller
    2) Ryan
    3) Schmidt
    4) Morgan
    5) Winfield much tougher than the 75s
    5) Brett
    6) Yount
    7) Fisk
    8) Blyleven
    9) Simmons
    10) Carter

    I am more of a 50s to 70s collector and don’t collect PSA10s in any era so my list will probably differ than most. If you look at 10s like the chat has done for the 80s there are 0 10s of Blyleven or Simmons. Bet if one surfaced it would go for more than Boggs. I have half the cards on my list so far. Really thought of bumping Blyleven and Simmons above the ‘75 guys because there is much less availability.

    I like that you had Morgan high up, I don’t think there is any above PSA 8 and the best I could find was a 6.5 which was at a show a few years ago.

  • craig44craig44 Posts: 11,747 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @brad31 said:
    1) ‘37 OPC Feller
    2) Ryan
    3) Schmidt
    4) Morgan
    5) Winfield much tougher than the 75s
    5) Brett
    6) Yount
    7) Fisk
    8) Blyleven
    9) Simmons
    10) Carter

    I am more of a 50s to 70s collector and don’t collect PSA10s in any era so my list will probably differ than most. If you look at 10s like the chat has done for the 80s there are 0 10s of Blyleven or Simmons. Bet if one surfaced it would go for more than Boggs. I have half the cards on my list so far. Really thought of bumping Blyleven and Simmons above the ‘75 guys because there is much less availability.

    you are right that perhaps I am using an unfair sliding scale when comparing. 80s cards in psa 10 and pre 80s in psa 9.

    perhaps i need to reevaluate.

    George Brett, Roger Clemens and Tommy Brady.

  • craig44craig44 Posts: 11,747 ✭✭✭✭✭

    i wonder what a 75 opc brett in psa 10 would go for right now? I know one went for 63k last year but i thought that was quite low.

    George Brett, Roger Clemens and Tommy Brady.

  • brad31brad31 Posts: 2,954 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @Mikeygiggs_336699 said:

    @brad31 said:
    1) ‘37 OPC Feller
    2) Ryan
    3) Schmidt
    4) Morgan
    5) Winfield much tougher than the 75s
    5) Brett
    6) Yount
    7) Fisk
    8) Blyleven
    9) Simmons
    10) Carter

    I am more of a 50s to 70s collector and don’t collect PSA10s in any era so my list will probably differ than most. If you look at 10s like the chat has done for the 80s there are 0 10s of Blyleven or Simmons. Bet if one surfaced it would go for more than Boggs. I have half the cards on my list so far. Really thought of bumping Blyleven and Simmons above the ‘75 guys because there is much less availability.

    I like that you had Morgan high up, I don’t think there is any above PSA 8 and the best I could find was a 6.5 which was at a show a few years ago.

    Agree I looked for a long time and finally found a 7 on EBay.

  • jayhawkejayhawke Posts: 1,322 ✭✭✭

    The ‘78 Murray is a tough one to find centered. I actually think the ‘78 Dawson, which could be considered his rookie in OPC is very hard to find centered.

  • brad31brad31 Posts: 2,954 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited June 12, 2025 3:35PM

    Just looked up pop report on Morgan Rookie - 6 PSA 8 and 12 PSA 7. No 9s or 10s. So there are more Brett rookies in PSA 10 than Morgan in PSA 8 and more Brett PSA 9s than Morgan PSA 7s.

  • craig44craig44 Posts: 11,747 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @brad31 said:
    Just looked up pop report on Morgan Rookie - 6 PSA 8 and 12 PSA 7. No 9s or 10s. So there are more Brett rookies in PSA 10 than Morgan in PSA 8 and more Brett PSA 9s than Morgan PSA 7s.

    wow, i did not know the pop was so low on the morgan. impressive. no wonder i have yet to find one i like. seems they will be mostly mid to lower grade

    George Brett, Roger Clemens and Tommy Brady.

  • olb31olb31 Posts: 3,692 ✭✭✭✭✭

    I guess just find a 5 that is centered might be the best you can do

    Work hard and you will succeed!!
  • BaltimoreYankeeBaltimoreYankee Posts: 3,104 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @craig44 said:

    @brad31 said:
    Just looked up pop report on Morgan Rookie - 6 PSA 8 and 12 PSA 7. No 9s or 10s. So there are more Brett rookies in PSA 10 than Morgan in PSA 8 and more Brett PSA 9s than Morgan PSA 7s.

    wow, i did not know the pop was so low on the Morgan. impressive. no wonder i have yet to find one i like. seems they will be mostly mid to lower grade

    I wonder if some of the low PSA pop OPC cards are because the folks in Canada are using KSA for grading. It would be interesting if KSA had a public population report as PSA does.

    Daniel
  • craig44craig44 Posts: 11,747 ✭✭✭✭✭

    a PSA 7 OPC ryan rookie sold on ebay for just a tick over 10k a few days ago. significantly more than its topps counterparts. I still thought it would go for more. I was thinking closer to 15k.

    George Brett, Roger Clemens and Tommy Brady.

  • olb31olb31 Posts: 3,692 ✭✭✭✭✭

    great info craig. on ebay the number of 10's of cardboard opc (1965-1991) are really low. buy them while you can, there won't be any affordable ones soon.

    psa 4 sold for 5k and the 7 went for 10.2. sounds like the 7 was a good deal.

    Work hard and you will succeed!!
  • Mikeygiggs_336699Mikeygiggs_336699 Posts: 181 ✭✭✭✭

    @craig44 said:
    a PSA 7 OPC ryan rookie sold on ebay for just a tick over 10k a few days ago. significantly more than its topps counterparts. I still thought it would go for more. I was thinking closer to 15k.

    I was watching the auction and the PSA flip was an older flip from the early grading years so collectors might think if graded now would probably be a 6. The card looked nice and probably would warrant the 7 now.

  • craig44craig44 Posts: 11,747 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @olb31 said:
    great info craig. on ebay the number of 10's of cardboard opc (1965-1991) are really low. buy them while you can, there won't be any affordable ones soon.

    psa 4 sold for 5k and the 7 went for 10.2. sounds like the 7 was a good deal.

    I agree, compared to the 4, the 7 went for a really good price.

    George Brett, Roger Clemens and Tommy Brady.

  • jayhawkejayhawke Posts: 1,322 ✭✭✭

    A 1978 OPC Ron LeFlore PSA 10 just sold for $182. A pop 6. You can’t even touch a common PSA 10 for less than a dinner for 4.

  • olb31olb31 Posts: 3,692 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @jayhawke said:
    A 1978 OPC Ron LeFlore PSA 10 just sold for $182. A pop 6. You can’t even touch a common PSA 10 for less than a dinner for 4.

    having collected the 1978 opc set -- i can tell you that its very difficult. in the last 5 years about 6 psa 10's have come to auction that i didn't already have and have about 80 or so. if you review ebay, there just isn't enough opc's to get a complete set without waiting for years. it took my 12 to complete mine. and back then there were a lot more inventory than today.

    for the leflore card, someone got a decent deal. not a great one. maybe as a buy it now you could fetch 250-275 for it. but due to the low supply it creates a lot of unknos to many collectors, i.e. there just isn't enough comparable sales. an opc 8 yount sold today for $900. i picked up one about 2 years ago for $475.

    as for the registry topps commons are still king. but i will tell you 1987 leaf cards are on fire even the commons in 10.

    Work hard and you will succeed!!
  • jayhawkejayhawke Posts: 1,322 ✭✭✭

    I’ve noticed a large increase in prices of 1978 OPC PSA 9’s. I just checked and a Jim Rice PSA sold for $750. That’s an insane price. I’ll have to check my raw cards.

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