Starting 1955 Topps Baseball

markmac

I have always wanted to start this set. I picked up 5 PSA 5 commons for $3 each in a recent auction. Are they usually this cheap for low numbers in this condition? I would like to get the stars in at least PSA 6 and probably would go after the Koufax in a 7 and the Aaron in a 7. I will have to drop to 6's on the Mays and Clemente due to $$$$. Is it worth starting this set with PSA 5 and 6 commons? It seems every show I go to, dealers want more than this for beat up raw cards.

detroitfan2

markmac,

You did AWESOME if you picked up PSA 5 commons for $3 each! Not sure how I missed those (darn it). You can figure $5-$7 for a PSA 5 common, $8-$10 for a PSA 6 common (of course, sometimes more and sometimes less). I'm currently about 1/2 way through a 1955 set with all cards graded PSA 4, 5, or 6.

Patience is the key, but I would agree with you 100%, you're much better off buying PSA graded off ebay than paying what card show dealers want for junky raw cards. I would absolutely recommend that you buy the 10 or 20 high dollar cards graded, as it will give you peace of mind and quite honestly it will not cost you much more than buying them raw.

Good luck on your set, excellent choice! Just remember not to bid if detroitfan2 is the current high bidder !

-Tom (detroitfan2)

WinPitcher

worth starting this set with PSA 5 and 6 commons?


Mark

Depends on what you're goal is and what you mean by 'worth"

IMO I would say yes it is worth it, especially if you can get them for less then grading fees. A true mid grade set is IMO a beautiful thing.

What I mean by ' true midgrade' is cards that are true to the grade and not graded a 6 because of centering or other issues that downgraded them. Off graded cards should be avoided.

Steve

1420sports

A true mid grade set is IMO a beautiful thing.

I agree 100%, especially for the 55 Topps set. I own several HOFers in PSA 5-7, as well as a few commons in PSA 5. There are plenty of times opportunities arise to acquire mid grade commons for less than the grading fee.

detroitfan2

<<What I mean by ' true midgrade' is cards that are true to the grade and not graded a 6 because of centering or other issues that downgraded them. Off graded cards should be avoided.>>

Steve, not sure what you mean by the above. Are you saying that a card that is graded, say PSA 6 because it does not meet the centering criteria for a PSA 7 should be avoided?

Thanks,

Tom

WinPitcher

Steve, not sure what you mean by the above. Are you saying that a card that is graded, say PSA 6 because it does not meet the centering criteria for a PSA 7 should be avoided?


Exactly what i mean. (however each card should be considered based on its own merits).

I want true to the grade cards.


Steve

detroitfan2

Exactly what i mean. (however each card should be considered based on its own merits).

I want true to the grade cards.

Steve, can you explain what you mean? Are you basically saying if it's centering that is a card's only flaw, avoid it? I'm missing your point here, but I'd like to understand. I have PSA 6's that you can slice bread with that might be centered 75/25, and I have PSA 6's that are perfectly centered with some touched corners. To me, they're both great (and undervalued) cards.

RipublicaninMass

I think it is a great idea, I am going to work on a diamond stars set next after my 55 is done. I have many duplicates in my 55 set ending on Sunday, please bid more than the grading fee!

WinPitcher

Detroit

Yes I prefer the centered with 3 touched corners version of a 6 then a sharp cornered one that has been downgraded from an 8 or 7 because of a centering flaw.

To each his own. I guess.


Steve, can you explain what you mean? Are you basically saying if it's centering that is a card's only flaw, avoid it? I'm missing your point here, but I'd like to understand. I have PSA 6's that you can slice bread with that might be centered 75/25, and I have PSA 6's that are perfectly centered with some touched corners. To me, they're both great (and undervalued) cards.




YES


If both are great (to you) then by all means buy them. My point was and is I prefer true to the grade cards.


Steve

detroitfan2

<<true to the grade cards>>

OK, this is the point I'm still missing. Steve, what's a "true to the grade" excellent (PSA 5ish) card?

Thanks,

Tom

RipublicaninMass

Steve is saying he prefers a rounded corner card, than one that is off center. So a PSA 9 o/c which has all the qualities of a PSA 9 card, yet is off center is les desirable than a psa 8 which is dead center, but has all the other qualities of a PSA 8. I differ on these older issues. I think a psa 9 o/c is s rare as a 9, although the overall eye appeal may be less. RAZOR (?) sharp corners on a 50 year old card should be pointed out!

WinPitcher

Almost Ted. However, Id take a 9oc over a soft cornered, centered 6 anyday. With that said I am at a loss how detroit can't understand what i have plainly said 3 times now. I will now include a picture so maybe he will fully understand what i have been trying to say.






Detroit lokk at this:




now as u can plainly see this example has touched corners? yet has nice centering? It is IMO true to the grade.

A card can also get a 5 grade cuz of a surface wrinkle OR be off centered to the point that it is DOWNGRADED. Those are the cards I avoid.
And refer to as 'off grade'

Steve

fiveniner

Go For It.Nice challange at any grade,lots of real junk out there a 5 rating would be awesome.GOOD LUCK!

smallstocks

It's all a matter of personal taste. I prefer to have slightly off-center with rzor sharp edges and corners than ones that are well-centered but with rounded corners. To me, the sharp cards are more true to being "pack fresh" and therefore merit the higher consideration. To each their own.