If you need a card for your registry set, and ...

jimq112

If you need a card for your set, and it's a low pop card in any grade, do you buy it in low grade to have it, or do you wait and hope a nice one comes along?

I'm thinking 1960s or early 70s OPC, or Topps Venezuelan, something where they are condition sensitive and there just aren't many around. Do you buy that PSA 3 or 4 just to have the card, or do you fight with other collectors for that 8 when it finally exists and hits ebay?

I'm mostly considering cards worth 1 or 2 points at most.

I can't afford nice anyway so I don't mind the 3 or 4, any opinions?

mikeschmidt

depends on how rare the card is.

Something like a 1977 Topps Venezuelan Sticker, a 1982 FBI Disc, a 1982 Blackless, etc.

Yes, get a placeholder. You may never have the opportunity to upgrade.

1970s OPC cards -- you should be able to patiently wait it out...all but 1974, but the others you should be able to wait.

smtjoy

I am thrilled to win any Clemente Venezuelan card, they are so scare I could care less about grades. I was thrilled to get a 1962 topps venezuelan Clemente in PSA 1, only 4 examples have ever been graded with only 2 higher. I have been looking for a 1957 and 1958 Kahns Clemente in any grade for over 2 years now (lost the bidding on the only 2 I have seen for sale), gurr. Get these when you can as I always figure I can sell them when I land an upgrade.

On the less scarce OPC I usually buy a psa 4-6 and then wait to get an upgrade down the road.

I am really trying to get every card in the master set regardless of grade vs other collectors who collect by condition only. Just my way of collecting )

cravetopps

<<depends on how rare the card is.>>

I would add that if you're trying to maintain an overall GPA and have to "settle" on a lower grade card due to the low pop or scarcity (set owners just won't part with their card, for example), then you have to consider lower grades. You have to offset those with higher grade cards that have a higher pop. You also have to consider the weighting of the card when offsetting. One PSA 9 common won't offset a PSA 7 star if it has a lower weight than the card you're seeking obviously.

Or, you can wait forever. There was a thread the other day from somone trying to complete an all 9 71 Topps set. But, there are dozens of cards with zero pop 9s. Admirable goal but completely unrealistic. Like mikeschmidt said, you really have to look at the pop reports and you have to know how many people are working on the set as well since they may have the only cards in the grade you're seeking and would be reluctant to sell anytime soon.

jimq112

<< <i>I am thrilled to win any Clemente Venezuelan card, they are so scare I could care less about grades. I was thrilled to get a 1962 topps venezuelan Clemente in PSA 1, only 4 examples have ever been graded with only 2 higher. I have been looking for a 1957 and 1958 Kahns Clemente in any grade for over 2 years now (lost the bidding on the only 2 I have seen for sale), gurr. Get these when you can as I always figure I can sell them when I land an upgrade.

On the less scarce OPC I usually buy a psa 4-6 and then wait to get an upgrade down the road.

I am really trying to get every card in the master set regardless of grade vs other collectors who collect by condition only. Just my way of collecting ) >>




I wish I had seen the 58 kahn's you saw for sale. I have a 57 and it's rough but the 58 is my white whale and price almost doesn't matter on that card.

I'm pretty sure this is a 57, I bought it years ago and my memory isn't that great. Maybe I should write 57 on the back, couldn't hurt the grade much!!

bobsbbcards

jimq112

Thanks for the help! I was pretty sure, now I'm real sure