What is the best 2004 Football Box?

ndleo

Now that training camp is approaching, I'm starting to get the football itch. I didn't buy too many boxes last fall and was surprised how many different products came out last fall.

I was thinking about SP Authentic, SPX, Contenders, or Leaf Limited. Anyone have opinion what is the best product to buy? I want to stay away from any Fleer products because of the redemption issue.

FavreFan1971

Being a vintage collector I only buy one case of the new stuff each year. Last year was Fleer Ultra and I have been hosed on the redemption for a 1 of 25 McNabb auto and a 1 of 150 Dante Hall. I could care less about the Hall.

But this year I am liking the Topps Anniversary Issues. Great cards of some old timers. Vintage buy back if I am not wrong too. They are pretty cheap so the base cards may turn into firewood or stilts for drywalling.

But of the four you have listed I like the Contenders because of the design.

What does everyone else think.???

ctsoxfan

All the boxes you mentioned rose in price pretty quickly, thanks to Big Ben fever. I personally like Contenders for the 4 autos per box, but SP Authentic has the great RC patches, but boxes are hit or miss. Leaf Limited is always a fun rip, but the cards don't seem to hold their value as much as the Contenders or SPA. I like Bowman Chrome more than SPX in football, but that's just my opinion. Don't forget Ultimate Collection football - great autos in that product, but the current price is higher than I would pay.

1. Contenders
2. SPA
3. Leaf Limited
4. Bowman Chrome / Topps Chrome
5. Ultimate

ndleo

I was surprised how fast Contenders went up. I pre-ordered a case from PJSBULLPEN and he stiffed me on it (had to throw that in).

Is Contenders less printed than SP Authentic?

ctsoxfan

Not sure, but this year the big RC autos were not numbered, though I believe they released the print runs for them after the fact (all still very low). Tough to find any cases of Contenders now - and cases of SPA are already over $2,000.