The Elusive 9.00 set GPA

FB

To date, Ron Rittinger has been the class of the field with his 68 - 9.29 GPA juggernaut and there is no sign of anyone challenging him soon for a set of that size and composition. Several that are getting close to reaching that 9.00 figure for a completed set over 500 cards of late vintage/early modern include:

Wayne's 74 set - 8.98
Dave's 68 set - 8.95
Frank's 72 set - 8.91

I expect Wayne to hit it before the registry awards - not sure about Dave and I can guarantee that my 72 set won't make it before the end of the year.

What is so special about this number???? Or is it the competition?

seinbigd

I wouldn't be surprised to see a '75 Topps Baseball Set break the 9.0 barrier in the very near future...

GoSoxBoSox

<< <i>What is so special about this number???? Or is it the competition? >>




It's not the number. It's ego...so I guess you'd have to say it's the competition. Everyone wants to be ranked #1 even if the number is 7.0.

How many times to you see threads from people asking what sets they should go after? They always want to know what set they have a reasonable chance to compete in. Nobody ever asks which set they should like....right?

To me....that's ego. I say collect what you like regardless of grades or competing sets. Otherwise you'll be disappointed because there's always someone with more money out there that'll beat you. I think the people on the set registry fall in both categories and that's fine. It's good for business.

boggs301012

FB

9.0 is the Benchmark most people set for themselves. It is an obtainable # that most set collectors can reachwithin most sets. I too just reached this mark. I am at even 9.00. And I proud of that, well over a year to accomplish the goal. I could only imagine what it must be like on a 500 plus card set. Especialy on a set actualy worth a few bucks to boot. Now I want my set 'rating' to be a 9.00 that will be very tough.



James

dakota

FB,
Dont sell yourself short.We know you can do it.I think it is a great accomplishment to have a set of that caliber regardless of how it is put together.
Waynes 74 set is a sure bet to be the next 9.0 gpa. I remember talking to him about a year ago and he told me he was gonna do it.
OK Wayne....I believe you NOW!!! Nice job.
These 100% 50s,60s, and 70s sets are awesome!!!!

Stump

Frank

I have 22 9's in route for my 68 set that will put me in the 8.98 range. Depending on the auctions avalible and the emails I will send I will try to be at 9 soon. Not sure if I can make the deadline but I am definately trying. The 9 for me was a benchmark for the differance between really nice set to hey thats a great set.

Dave

FB

Brian,

I know that I'll get there. It will just take a little longer. I won't bid whatever it takes to get cards that I need and there are several other serious 72 collectors out there working on all 9/10 sets. So, I'll get there when I get there. I'm guessing by Nationals next summer.

GoSoxBoSox - you're right - for me, ego definitely plays a part in it. I know that I build my 72 set differently than my other sets because I'm in the lead and like being at the top. My other sets - 64, 67, 68, 69, 70 and 71 - I work on at different rates - when I have money. I pass on cards sometimes and will pat myself on the back when I can move up from 20th to 18th. If it weren't for ego, I probably wouldn't have even registered my cards.

Heck - I can't run like I used to. Can't play ball like I used to... and they haven't created a "competitive television watching league" yet. So, this is probably the most competition that I get outside of work!

EOMINT

We will be neck and neck by next October I think Frank...I can't believe Im at 80% now it seemed impossible when I started, but it's been a lot of fun.

EO

FB

Eric,

That would make you a serious 72 collector in my book! But remember... that last 10% is a booger in PSA 8. Its going to be 5 times worse in PSA 9. And it hasn't gotten any easier since PSU joined the fray.

Vargha

I like 9's, but on sets like my 1975 Topps set, I just don't see pursuing a 9.00 rating unless it is way down the road and I still own it.

Wayne8348

Gosoxbosox,

When I started the 74 set I set a goal of having an overall mint seting averaging 9.0 and I'm almost there. I didn't say that my goal was to be better than someone else - only that I wanted a very high quality set. My eventual plans are to have it in straight 9's and sell of the 10's. Are my actions based upon ego because I chose 9.0 verses someone else who chose to do their set in 8.0????? I guess that makes me an egomaniac since I want to own a nice set of 1974's. I would imagine that Scott Wetzel will pass me one of these days and when he does I hope that I get him the cards to do so. I enjoy collecting sets in a certain grade and everytime I start collecting best available I get frustrated.

You say collect what you like and that's what I'm doing. Sorry you feel that way.

Wayne

goodriddance189

9.0=bragging rights=getting that dream car=4.0 gpa=any other societal status symbol signifying youve "made it"

downgoesfrazier

For 72 and later 9.0 is the deal for me. While I admit that there are 8's clearly superior to 9's, those sets in PSA 8 are fairly easy. There will be a handful of real tough cards in every set in PSA 8, but 60-70% can be had fairly cheaply and without a struggle if you're not brain dead. The 9's are a totally different animal. For 70's cards and later, you can pick up large lots on or off-line and complete BIG chunks at one time in PSA 8. In addition to being an ego-driven thing, the 9.0 sets and better will probably hold some value and may even appreciate some.

dgf

dalew

I believe that modern sets are any after 1980, so I am going to attempt, within the next month to have a 600+ card set listed on the Registry at 9.10 or higher at 100% completion. It might be tough to do based on some recent submissions being held, as I listed in my earlier posts, but I'm gonna give it a shot.

Dale