1968 Topps Game collectors - Can someone make sense of this?

paleocards

1968 TOPPS GAME #12 CLAUDE OSTEEN PSA 8 DODGERS ?!?!?!?

Here are the possible explanations I've come up with:

1) 4 guys (all of whom bid at least $66) needed this card to finish the set in 8 and were in a bidding war (not terribly likely)
2) the Osteen is tougher than just about any other Topps Game card to grade an 8 (I don't have access to the pop report so I can't judge the likelihood of this explanation)
3) this Osteen is a rare variant I never heard of...

Waddya think?

SinibobCards

38 Graded
3 9s
11 8s

Looks like a good time to sell one of the other 10 PSA 8s.

paleocards

Thanks SiniBob -- in comparison, how many PSA 8's are out there of the superstars in the set (Mantle, Mays, Aaron, Clemente, Rose)?

jackstraw

looks like
mantle 143 8's 14 9's 3 10's
aaron 83 21 0
clemente 91 15 1
mays 84 14 0
rose 83 16 2

SinibobCards

(143, 84, 83, 91, 83)

The numbers are higher due to more cards being submitted. I don't see #12 being that hard to get in an 8.

The top 6 set collectors have the card in 8 or better. The guys in 7th and 8th BOTH need the card to finish their sets. I think that is your answer.

sjjs28

I've got one available for the first email.....
PSA ID # 30861003
Scan Available by request

In the broadest sense - I view this email as a help to set registry owners -
Please let me know if this email is out of bounds; and I won't do it again

A761506

I think something is wrong with the 1968 Topps Game set... recently there have been way too many available in top condition, and they are selling too cheap as sets. I wonder if there was a find of these which was kept on the QT. I would probably keep my mouth shut at first if I found a boatload of cards that no one knew existed, as the find would significantly devalue them. I am thinking that is the case with the 68 Game cards. On top of eBay, at a local show last weekend, I spoke with 2 dealers who had bought NM+ sets during the same weekend... don't know if from same person, but wouldn't suprise me. Anyone else notice this trend of late?

Coolidge

A761506, the 68 Topps Game set is far from scarce. There are TONS of them. The supply is nothing new. The problem is centering. Most of them are miscut (centered worse than 100-0). That, along with the SMR for common 8's being $12, is why not that many have been submitted. However, I've seen quite a few PSA 8 commons from this set sell at 3X-5X SMR.

qualitycards

Usually this issue is in high grade, as Coolidge suggested centering is an issue.
But corner wear isn't as the set was made w/ rounded corners, so unless the
cards wern't handled to play with as was their intended purpose, high grade cards
are out there. These cards were issued as inserts 1 per .5 cent pack and also they were
made available in set form too in '68...jay

gaspipe26

The Osteen is one of 3 cards with only 11 graded in 8. There are however a dozen or so others with 12-15 in 8. The 11 represents the lowest POP in 8 of any card in the set.

1954

Paleocards-
I think you are going to enjoy the set that I just sold you for $80. Whoa, that is great for you.


Shane