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What are the most difficult sets to complete in high grade?

Although I have read that the population report may not be entirely accurate, it is the only source of data for me to work with. In reviewing the population of 9nq and 10's for the 1969 basic set of 664 cards, I have found that the following:

41 cards have zero 9's or 10's
85 cards have one 9 or 10
82 cards have two 9's or 10's

That's over 30% of the set with two or fewer cards grading better than 8.

What other sets exist in which mass amounts of raw cards are readily available but very few high grade examples can be found?

As a recent entrant into the graded card world I am trying to learn as much as possible. Thank you for sharing your knowledge.

Comments

  • Just a guess but I would have to say the 71 set with the 62 set right behind.

    Dave
    Visit my site @ www.djjscards.com



  • I would say almost anything pre-war.

    Vic
    Please be kind to me. Even though I'm now a former postal employee, I'm still capable of snapping at any time.
  • mikeschmidtmikeschmidt Posts: 5,756 ✭✭✭


    << <i>
    What other sets exist in which mass amounts of raw cards are readily available but very few high grade examples can be found?
    >>



    Nearly every pre-war card fits this criteria.

    1955 Bowman set -- raw is very easy to find -- tough in higher than NM condition, though. Nearly half the cards are not available yet in PSA 9. In fact -- there are a dozen or so cards with PSA 8 populations of less than 5. Now that is tough!

    M
    I am actively buying MIKE SCHMIDT gem mint baseball cards. Also looking for any 19th century cabinets of Philadephia Nationals. Please PM with additional details.
  • 1935 Goudey. There are sufficient raw examples out there if you know where to look but most are no better than VG. Only 3 cards graded PSA 9 or better. Only 7% of the 1265 graded are PSA 8 or better. Five of the cards have no examples better than PSA 7. Luckily, it's a small set so that tames the difficulty a little.
  • VarghaVargha Posts: 2,392 ✭✭
    Pre-war for sure and certainly obscure sets like 1949 Bowman PCL fit that criteria. However, I assume that he was talking about post 1950 mainstream sets.
  • I suppose I did mean post 1950 mainstream sets but all of the information is appreciated.

    I checked the population report for 1971 and found:

    190 cards have zero 9's or 10's
    208 cards have one 9 or 10
    150 cards have two 9's or 10's

    That's a total of 548 of the 752 card set; that's over 70%.
  • Any pre-war is ridiculous. However, pre-war hockey cards take ridiculous to a new level. Outside of 1933 Sports Kings you had to live in Canada to find these issues and there are very few cards if any in 8's or higher existing.
    There is a fine line between "hobby" and "mental illness"
  • murcerfanmurcerfan Posts: 2,329 ✭✭
    you had to live in Canada to find these issues and there are very few cards if any in 8's or higher existing.

    I have not found this to be the case.

    edited to add: supply vs. demand seems about the same...much less material and far less demand.
    however, this is no longer on topic.
  • murcerfanmurcerfan Posts: 2,329 ✭✭
    back on topic.
    as for the 1960's vanilla topps sets
    one of the more experienced board members (who buys only psa 8's) put this list together:

    from easiest to hardest I would rank them as follows:

    1968
    1965
    1964
    1967
    1966
    1963
    1960
    1962
    1961

    Davalillo


    another thread
    and another discussion
  • Murcerfan,

    Thank you for taking the time to provide those links. They proved to have a wealth of information stored in them and answered my question very well. I'm sorry that I asked the same question that had already been asked but I guess that's what happens when new people join the boards.
  • Mars Attacks! Don't be offended sports fans but this is the Holy Grail of non-sports cards. The first 10 that comes from this set will fetch a very big price. There are still a bunch of cards that haven't even received a 9!

    This would have to be ranked very high for difficulty.
    Working on 1962 mid grade Mars Attacks.
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