From the Coin Boards, but needing help from YOU GUYS/GALS!

MassFullStepper

As you can guess from my handle, I am avid in coins (if it isnt obvious...fullstepper refers to Full Step Jefferson nickels). I have seen the good and the bad on the coin forums...learned very valuable lessons in purchasing crap that I THOUGHT was gem stuff, so I pretty much know the in's and out's, scams, etc of coins, but not a whole helluva lot about cards. However, my dad is VERY into cards...I mean not just a passing fancy...cases and cases...hockey cards shipped from Canadian friends...TONS (he has TOTALLY filled my childhood bedroom closet, and I mean TOTALLY)....Becketts all over the coffee table, etc....though NONE are slabbed, NOT A ONE...though all are original (he ALWAYS buys dupes...one to 'play with' and put in folders, the other remains unopened....sets dating from the late '70's, ALL sports, Harley Davidson sets...I could go on and on...). But I digress...what I would like to do is buy him ONE slabbed card...one that will just excite him to no end...for his 70th B-day (though he is almost 70, he is STILL actively working as a state trooper in my home state, and very very active (runs 10 miles 3 times a week, golf, softball with guys in their 40's, etc)...not your typical 70 year old guy. SOOOO....can ANYONE help me out in regard to what card I should look to get for him....naturally, it would have to be a baseball/football/hockey/hoops card. ANY and ALL suggestions would be GREATLY appreciated....I DO have some time (bday is in Feb), so please advise...in advance, I want to thank all who respond in helping me give this extra special gift...

Edited to add.....

Though I am NOT up to snuff on card grading/TPGC's, I am assuming that PSA, like PCGS is in coins, is the #1 grading company of sports cards. I DO want to stay FAR away from those 'wannabe' grading companies, that basically put WAY overgraded crap in plastic...that being said, I also want to stay away from other reputable TPGC's that have a good product, but tend to overgrade by 1 or 2 pts (guessing that would relate to cards as .5 to 1 pt overgrading). I think whoever reads this and replies will totally understand and know what I am looking for. Thanx again for your help.

P.S.

I have noticed the total lack of posts here...are cards experiencing a dramatic downturn at this time? Not that it matters, especially to my 'old man'...he is a true collector, NOT an investor, so this card I am looking for (whatever it may be) wont be flipped...perhaps it may be sold in the distant future, perhaps not, but.....it is going to a guy that LOVES cards...I should buy him a computer instead so he can come here and chat with you all and perhaps learn more, or perhaps TEACH you all something...lol

dherm360

how about a mantle or Yogi Berra someone from when he was growing up.
It also depends on how much you are willing to spend.

maxXposure

does he have a favorite team or a favorite era/time period? you mentioned hockey, is that his favorite sport?

edit - and like Dherm360 said, how much are you planning to spend?

Bobstar

If he is a big hockey fan, you might want to think of getting a nice rookie card of one of his favorite players from back in "his" day.
Depending on what you are planning on spending, someone like a Bobby Hull or Gordie Howe, Glenn Hall. If he has a favorite team from way back when, some of those older hockey sets had team photo cards that are nice.
Whatever you decide, we think it's a neat prize you are planning on giving to him for his big 70. By the way, we are both hockey nuts & if he decides he wants to trade some of his hockey stuff he has, please let us know!
Best of luck & thank your dad for us for putting his life on the line; it's not an easy job being a lawman out there these days!

Xtrainningscards

I would consider a PSA 8 in any Mantle regular issues from the 50's and 60's, or maybe Clemente, depends on his favorite team, if he hates the Yanks then he may not want the Mantle. If the 8's are out of your price range then maybe a 7, but I wouldn't go any lower. The graded card market is down but in the earlier issues 50's 60's etc. its not as bad as in the new cards. PSA and Beckett are the top 2 grading companies, but when it comes to 50's or 60's or even 70's I would stick with PSA. If he loves current baseball I would reccomend a PSA 9 or 10 in a Bonds rookie like 1987 Fleer(his best is 1986 Topps Traded Tiffany), this card I still feels has potential to increase over the next year or 2, as he closes in on Aaron. Good luck with your buying and hope he enjoys. PM me if any other questions or e-mail me at rmcards4u@aol.com.

Randy