Which is the Better 1951 Bowman Willie Mays PSA-3.5 or PSA-4 for the same Price?
mintonlypls
Posts: 2,148 ✭✭✭✭✭
The PSA-3 sold tonight (1/12) for $7800, which made me rethink $15,000 for a PSA-3.5. So...I found a PSA-4 which has a more faint wax/gum stain on the back again in the bio, not 50/50 centering but 55/45 both ways, better corners, somewhat of a print line at the top of the card. Seller came down from $20,000 to the same price as the PSA-3.5 to $15,000. Here are the two (2) cards:
mint_only_pls
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I like the back of the PSA 3 better than the blemished back on the PSA 3.5. For me personally, that blemish would be a distraction.
All things considered the 3.5. The reverse issue would not bother me that much, as we all usually just key in on looking at the front. Just at reselling time do the flaws become a factor.
3.5 and it’s not even really that close for me. Give me the great looking, bright front. Print line and color on the front of the 3 are greater distractions than a very common for this card stain on the back, which gives you a sense of how the card was distributed. How often are you going to look at the back anyway?
3.5 is the superior card in every way to me. Of course the blemish on the reverse is a factor, but everything else about the 3.5 is superior to the 3 in a significant way.
Looking for 1970 to 1979 Unopened Football cellos and rack packs.
Oakland Raiders on top or back of any packs as well.
Take the 3.5. The 3 has a couple spots by the bat that bother me, and the toning is also heavier on the left than the right which is also distracting. I'd pay up for the 3.5.
3.5....
Its much brighter than the 3; slightly better centering.
As to the reverse - both have issues; 3.5 is certainly worse, but who looks at the back of the card!
sjjs28@comcast.net
Collector of 1964 Topps Stand Ups, 1965 Embossed, 1968 Topps Game and 1969 Topps Decals
Registered Sets: 1964 Stand Ups, 1965 Embossed, 1968 Topps Game, 1969 Topps Decals
There is no question the 3.5. I would be bothered by the front of the 3 and like others have mentioned, how often do we look at the back of the card? When I am looking at my cards in the registry, I never look at the back. I think the 3.5 is a winner and a great looking card for the grade.
I used PSA certification images so that same scanner is used for comparison. Thanks for all thoughts so far …it is much appreciated….since as I said before…I am not good at eyeing mid grade cards.
If the first thing you notice about a card is a negative , that is not a good purchase. The toning on the 3 sticks out too quickly for me. The 3.5 would be my recommendation.
Agree with all posters. I'd buy the 3.5. The color, clarity, and brightness (especially on white border) is better. Outweighs the staining on the back IMO. The 3 isn't bad, but my eye is drawn to that spot near the bat.
I would go with the 3.5 and my reasoning is a bit different than the others. The fisheye near the "I" almost making it look like a "J" is too much of a distraction. The 3.5 is a great example for the grade with nice centering. Good luck!
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Good point, Jason. I looked and it does appear to be the letter "j"....good observation.
The 3.5 out of the two but I would wait for one without a stain. Because ‘51B had one cent one card packs PSA does not take off for a stain. Have seen tons of 8s with stains on the back so although you would think that may be the reason the card is a 3.5 but it is not.
I know I'm in the minority here, but I do look at the back of my cards. My OCD with the stain on the back would bother me like seeing a scratch on a new car. Being that this card is going to be expensive I would want the back to be as clean as the front.
3.5. Regarding the back of it, it's a 3.5. It's expected lol
Hey Monte. Do you have a picture of your 66 Mantle? I'm currently watching the one in the Heritage Auction and would be curious on how yours compares
I will send a scan of the front shortly to you…
thanks. I really appreciate it. you got a couple of cards in your list that I've been looking for.
The cards in the February Platinum Night Auction can be seen on its website…images are up for the ‘60, ‘62 Managers’ Dream (Mantle/Mays), ‘64 ALBombersMantle/Maris/Kaline/Cash), ‘65, 69 Mantle cards are viewable. The ‘66 Mantle is at PSA for review …and when it come back to Heritage…it will be viewable…but I will send my scan if the ‘66 Mantle.
High66...
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I'm with Brad31, I'd wait for the trifecta.... no print line, no stain, well centered. Pretty sizeable investment. Selling the '69 Mantle? If memory serves me, that was a retirement gift from the wife?
Yes…selling the ‘69 Mantle to fund his rookie. My retirement gift to myself was a 1986 Fleer Michael Jordan PSA-9…which I had bumped to a PSA-10….a few months later…then immediately consigned the card to Memory Lane.
Were most 1951 Bowman Baseball wax packs 1-cent packs rather than 5-cent packs accounting for the unusually high number of cards with wax/gum stains on the back of the cards?
I agree with Brad and sayheywyo that I will focus for now on the two (2) cards ( ‘51 Bowman Mantle RC SGC-7.5 and 1948 Leaf Jackie Robinson SGC-7.5 ) appearing in the Heritage Platinum Card Auction in February…and hopefully can win one of those two cards…
Monte - I was looking through various Collectors Focus pages the other night, and saw you added the 49 Paige and the 48 Jackie to the list on your page. Did you already score both cards for your collection?Also, that 51 Mantle is a monster card and awesome centering!
Keith…
I will place a card or cards on the Collector Focus page to see how it looks with my collection. Then…I begin my hunt to make it a reality. The 1948 Leaf Jackie Robinson, 1949 Bowman Paige, 1951 Bowman Mantle and 1951 Bowman Mays are targets. The rest of my collection (84 cards after consigning to Heritage) are in my collection.
👍 I thought you had already picked up the 51 Mantle when I saw your page and was like sweet pickup!
KC
I love the centering on both those cards. The 1951 Bowman cards are problematic with centering, staining, print lines and focus. The 3.5 has very good eye appeal and either example is a high end for the grade. You can't go wrong either way.