I'd appreciate some advice
rong99
Posts: 7 ✭
I'm consolidating my collection of thousands down to about twenty cards. I've got Mays, Mantle, Aaron, Clemente, and Gretkzy rookies which I'm keeping, but I'm selling everything else in order to buy four or five great cards, and I want players I don't have. I also want to make the best investments possible amongst these choices. I've put together a short list: 1) 1933 Babe Ruth Goudey #144, 2) 1986 Fleer Michael Jordan rookie, 3) 1948 Leaf Jackie Robinson, 4) 2000 Bowman Chrome Tom Brady. If it's a Ruth or a Robinson, it'll be a PSA 1 or 2, whereas if it's a Jordan or a Brady I can maybe get a PSA 7 or 8. My question is, how would you rank the four cards I've listed in terms of good investments?
Thanks in advance
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I don't see lower grade (and 7 or 8 is a low grade for cards from the past 40 years) Jordan or Brady as a good investment. Lots of fun to have, but not where I'd expect a big return.
Investment was year 2020 and divestment was in 2021! You'll probably die before they reach the good investment stage....
Ranked:
Ruth
Robinson
Brady
Jordan
Shop around; sometimes a 1 is still a beautiful card.
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https://forums.collectors.com/discussion/987963/1951-wheaties-premium-photos-set-registry#latest
Given the choices:
1) 48 Robinson
2) 00 Brady
3) 86 Jordan
4) 33 Ruth
1) If the world continues with increased social conscience, Jackie might become even more iconic as time passes.
2) If the Chiefs continue succeeding, the push for 'Mahomes the GOAT' will help people forget how great Brady was, if they are not doing that already. But as the other poster said, a PSA7 Brady is not really a good investment. Doesn't he have like 30+ rookie cards to choose from. Maybe a numbered/auto in a PSA10 is worth getting.
3) Jordan is still considered the GOAT, but there are lots of bag holders who bought during the COVID peak. Plus PSA grading Star cards now may have hurt the 86 Fleer long term.
4) Future generations won't know or care much for Ruth. There's no connection. And they especially won't care for a PSA1.
Jordan is great but a 7-8 will not increase much.
Same with Brady.
I'd go with Robinson for a sure thing.
The babe.
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FB & BB HOF Player sets
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I would strongly caution against considering sportscards an investment. buy what you personally like and enjoy. If it goes up in value, great. If it goes down, you still bought what YOU enjoy.
George Brett, Roger Clemens and Tommy Brady.
I would go for the Jordan Nike promotional card over the 86 fleer, just my opinion, but I think the Nike side of it will be desired long into the future because of their reputation in 80s/90s.
You really are making it tough on us! 🤔
If you "need" all four cards, get them all. On the older ones, you can sometimes get one that graded low, but has good eye appeal.
On newer cards, don't bother with anything less than a well centered 9.
I would just get the best Babe Ruth card you can afford and let it go at that, if you are considering investment.
I would also agree with using caution on Brady, there have been at least 4 different quarterbacks considered the best all time since I have been watching sports. Mahomes, if he can stay healthy may be the next.
Ruth is the only guy in baseball and Robinson will always be the man who broke the color barrier in baseball.
Jordan should be a safe bet, but not in a 7 or 8.
Hope you get so much for the cards you are selling you can just buy the best of each guy!
Based on most of your advice, seems like the Ruth and the Robinson are the two to focus on. Maybe I'll get a low grade Jordan rookie just to have it for fun, but I'll focus on getting higher grades of Ruth and Robinson. Seems like no one thinks the Brady card is a great idea.
How would everyone rank the 1941 Play Ball Joe DiMaggio card and the 1909 Ty Cobb card with the Ruth and the Robinson? Those are the other two I was looking at as well.
For some reason DiMaggio isn't collected as aggressively as he 'should" be. On one hand you should be able to pick one up at a good value, but might not be able to sell it at a big profit.
I think a Cobb card is a solid investment.
I absolutely love the Bowman Chrome Brady card, but agree it’s last on this list, especially in any grade less than a 9. I’d put Ruth #1, and not restrict myself to the Goudey. There are several investment-worthy Ruth cards out there. I prefer his RC over the Goudey. His Uncle Jacks is extremely rare and really cool, but such an obscure issue that it hurts the popularity/investment somewhat.
Edit to add: PSA has only graded 85 cards from the 1933 Uncle Jack’s Candy set and only 10 Ruth cards.
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Also collecting Andre Tippett, Patriots Greats' RCs, Dwight Evans, 1964 Venezuelan Topps, 1974 Topps Red Sox
Z
That Ruth rookie is a little bit beyond my budget even at a PSA 1
I do not agree with #4. If that were the case, the generations alive NOW would have no connection to Ruth and his cards would be going down in value. Which could not be further from the truth. EVERYONE knows who Babe Ruth is. Ask people on the street, they know Ruth. Often do not know Mantle, Aaron, etc. Ruth is as safe as an investment gets.
HOF SIGNED FOOTBALL RCS
Just from a baseball perspective…
I think the great players will be remembered for generations just like great presidents…so in addition to Ruth and Robinson for breaking the color barrier in all sports, I would add Gehrig, Cobb, DiMaggio, Mantle, Ted Williams, Aaron, Rose, Koufax, Mays, Musial, Clemente, Banks, Ryan, Seaver (always will be associated with one of the most improbable world championships in all of sports) in high end grades (8.5 or better) always being in demand. JMHO
Yes…Ryan and Rose are included for records which will be hard to break: 7 career no hitters and a pitcher needing 300 KKs per season for 19 seasons would still be short, and a hitter needing 200 hits per season for 21 seasons also would be short of breaking his record: good luck trying to achieve that.
Also…cards in a player’s early years and cards before the junk wax era (earlier than 1980).
So do most of you agree that I'd be better off purchasing a $10,000 Babe Ruth 33 Goudey 144 or Jackie Robinson 48 Leaf than spending that same $10,000 on a Fleer 86 Jordan, at whatever grade the $10,000 will get me? I mean, the population number of the old cards must be dwarfed by the Fleer Jordan. But it is Michael Jordan, so...?
Supply and demand will drive prices…Economics 101. Even though only 1.4% 1986 Fleer Jordan cards are a PSA-10….the actual number is 319! That is a lot compared to other great players….in high end grade.
1) 1933 Goudey Ruth (he is the undisputed GOAT and the face of baseball immortality)
2) 1948 Leaf Robinson (will continue to grow in legend for his courage and social impact)
3) 1986 Fleer Jordan in PSA 9 and centered (undisputed GOAT and blueprint for modern athletes)
4) 2000 Bowman Chrome Brady (undisputed GOAT and no one will break 10 SBs and 7 wins…ever)
The Chrome Brady is an iconic card, but I actually like his auto rookies as an alternative (Fleer, pacific, press pass). Rookie autos are limited, but he is in his collegiate uniform as the downside.
Then add in BGS 9.5 and there are a bunch more. In my opinion, I think the Jordan 86 Fleer will continue to fall further.
Since we all know cards are volatile and it's hard to profit off buying something at market price then you may want to consider why you're making a $10k investment that will freeze your available cash flow.
There are plenty of ways, legally, you could turn that $10k into $12k+ in the time it would take your card to arrive in the mail...or shortly thereafter.
My personal rule is to spend no more than 10% of my annual income on collectibles (antiques, cards, etc.)
I'd be a liar if I said I wasn't looking for a psa10 jordan for $10k myself last year and got sidetracked looking at all the graded counterfeit cards.
You're probably better off getting one of the many LBJ rookies since he's likely to hold the all time scoring record for a couple decades. Durant is the next closest active player and has half the career points. Curry won't catch him either. It will take a phenomenal player at least 16+ seasons to catch.
I still think there’s a lot of upside for Jordan Star Co. cards now that PSA is grading them.
"I spent 50% of my money on alcohol, women, and gambling. The other half I wasted.
What grades do you have Mays, Mantle, Aaron, Clemente and Gretzky in? Of the thousands of cards in your collection, are they all graded? How are you selling.... consignment, private, show, etc... and what do you think your budget will be after all is sold? Regardless, remain patient and purchase the highest grade and eye appealing cards within your set budget. Of your list: I'm with Ruth, Robinson, Jordan, Brady and would consider a Jordan sticker in a PSA 9 for around the same price as the base issue or Chrome Brady you mentioned. I agree with mintonlypls that true investment cards are PSA 8.5 and better through the 60's and always in demand.
I am a big Brady supporter. While the Bowman chrome rookie is a very nice one, I would go with a higher-tiered rookie. Look at SP Authentic, Contenders Auto or if you really like the Bowman Chrome, go for the refractor version.
George Brett, Roger Clemens and Tommy Brady.
I will have to see how Mahomes does before I name Brady the GOAT. Alex Smith was the QB his Rookie year so he sat the bench but since becoming the starter he has made it to the 3 SB's in 5 seasons and won 2 SB's. He has also been League MVP twice and should easily surpass Brady's 3 awards. If Andy Reid doesn't retire in the next 10 years Mahomes should continue to play at an MVP level.
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2000 Bowman Chrome Brady (undisputed GOAT and no one will break 10 SBs and 7 wins…ever)
I'm not so sure of this.
In my lifetime, Unitas, Tarkenton, Marino, Montana, Favre and Manning have all had the title of QB GOAT.
Mahomes looks quite capable of challenging Brady if he stays healthy.
He's the riskiest of the players mentioned.
Ruth will always have appeal. If Ruth loses his appeal, then at that point every vintage card will suck as well(and suck more than Ruth).
A good low grade Ruth with eye appeal is the best bet. They are also still relatively affordable compared to the overall market.
Jackie is just as safe as Ruth.
Seems modern cards need to be a 9 or 10 to have any value hold.
'86 Fleer Jordan is one I would wait. Out of the four, it has the greatest potential for a bigger dip. Then pounce when you see one at a decent price. Still a great card.
Have you considered Jim Brown's rookie?
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I would take a Jim Brown rookie over ANY Tom Brady card!!!!!!!!
Good call. Love the refractor. Pricing prettt high on those.
HOF SIGNED FOOTBALL RCS
Brown is considered the GOAT by the old timers. In modern circles I think he has slipped slightly in the GOAT category but is still widely considered the greatest RB of all time with Payton a close second.
For investment you should consider LT's rookie.
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I would take Alan Page over LT.
One guy became a (Minnesota Supreme Court) judge the other was more likely to be sitting in front of one! 🤣
Page's cards very undervalued, but not sure if anyone outside of Minnesota even heard of him.
First defensive player, and ONLY lineman to win NFL MVP.
YeeHaw!
And here I sit with a carton of 1800 each MINT 1976 Crane Potato Chip Discs Alan Page! And yes I said 1800....anybody want some?
YeeHaw!
Neil
What about the 1980 Topps Magic Johnson, Larry Bird, Julius Erving rookie card? Seems relatively affordable considering its got all three of them.
Then there's the 1960 Hemmels Journal Cassius Clay card. This card is a mystery to me.
I fully respect both of you gentleman and only time will tell. That said, I would bet my 2000 Bowman Chrome Brady PSA 9 for whatever the Mahomes equivalent is that Patrick does not make 10 Super Bowls, let alone win 7 of them in his career. Not because Mahomes isn’t talented, but because his style of play won’t afford him the longevity that Brady had over his career. Tom’s longevity while sustaining such a high level is what will keep him as the GOAT until the rules of the game significantly change to further protect QBs. The lack of QB protection rules are what ended Montana’s career prematurely. Brady’s commitment to personal health is unparalleled and his good fortune to avoid career ending sacks made the difference. Patrick will have to change his style of play to last long enough, and that style of play is what makes him special.
All that said, I would rather invest in a 80/81 Bird/Erving/Magic rookie PSA 8+ or a 1976 Topps Walter Payton PSA 9 than the Chrome Brady all day.