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How to spend $2300

tombotombo Posts: 332
in Trading Cards & Memorabilia Forum
Looking for suggestions on how to spend $2300 on cards. I am looking at this from 2 sides: Investment potential (please don't say invest in other things, because as silly as this may sound, one stipulation of getting the money is that I spend it on cards). Secondly, I want a card(s) that I have always liked and wanted to own.

I have several thoughts that would be in that area:
1933 Goudey Ruth PSA 4
T206 Cobb PSA 5
48 Leaf Robinson PSA 7
51 Bowman Mays 6 or 52 topps PSA 7
54 Aaron PSA 7
55 Clemente PSA 7
Or a group of solid cards (i.e Ryan rookie, 1969 Mantle and 1986 fleer Jordan, all in PSA 8) or Jordan PSA 9 and the Mantle PSA 8 without the Ryan

A couple of the cards (1954 Aaron and 1951 Bowman Mays) I could probably get and still have about $500 left

I'm leaning toward baseball obviously, but would consider high profile cards from other sports

Final thoughts - Any other suggestions or even saving a little more $500 - $1000 and getting any of the above cards in a higher grade

I will really appreciate any serious suggestions ( I'll probably appreciate the silly suggestions too, just not quite as much) as I have never been in this position before.

Thanks for taking the time with this long winded post - Tom

Comments

  • HighChopperHighChopper Posts: 1,091
    Diversify.

    Buy what makes you happy!
    There's a hole in my head where the rain comes in.
  • OnlyThe10sOnlyThe10s Posts: 1,850
    Out of that list: 48 Leaf Robinson PSA 7

    Good luck finding a centered one.

  • storm888storm888 Posts: 11,701 ✭✭✭
    If I was thinking investment AND fun to own/show,
    I would buy the oldest/best Mantle in my price range.
    Folks Who Bite Get Bitten. Folks Who Don't Bite Get Eaten.
  • SportsItUpCardsSportsItUpCards Posts: 2,547
    I would buy a case of some high end Basketball product and do a live youtube break! image

    Giovanni
  • CDsNutsCDsNuts Posts: 10,092 ✭
    I would go for nicely centered PSA 6s of the 50s cards. A nicely centered 7 will set you back more than you think, and nicely centered 6s present better than badly centered 7s. You will also save some money. Cards that are bringing huge premiums right now are Clemente RCs and Ruth's, so I would lean towards the Aaron, Mays, and Cobb cards. I would also hold off on the Jordan because that set is on fire right now and there will never be a shortage.

    From your gorup, I would go with the Aaron RC in PSA 6, the 52 Mays in PSA 6, the Ryan RC in PSA 7, and throw in another PSA 7 "underpriced" RC like Bob Gibson, Frank Robinson, McCovey, Carlton or Carew. Not sure if you could swing that for $2300 but it seems feasible in my head.

    My condolences on your dilemma. Where do I sign up for this game?
  • gumbyfangumbyfan Posts: 5,168 ✭✭✭


    << <i>I would buy a case of some high end Basketball product and do a live youtube break! image

    Giovanni >>



    He's looking for investment potential....now how to turn $2300 into $230.
  • SportsItUpCardsSportsItUpCards Posts: 2,547


    << <i>

    << <i>I would buy a case of some high end Basketball product and do a live youtube break! image

    Giovanni >>



    He's looking for investment potential....now how to turn $2300 into $230. >>



    In that case, I would suggest this card LINKY

    Giovanni
  • envoy98envoy98 Posts: 4,000 ✭✭


    << <i>

    << <i>I would buy a case of some high end Basketball product and do a live youtube break! image

    Giovanni >>



    He's looking for investment potential....now how to turn $2300 into $230. >>



    See above for advice on turning $2300 into $230.

    "buy a case of some high end Basketball product and do a live youtube break!"
    image
    My eBay Store

    BigCrumbs! I made over $250 last year!
  • SportsItUpCardsSportsItUpCards Posts: 2,547


    << <i>

    << <i>

    << <i>I would buy a case of some high end Basketball product and do a live youtube break! image

    Giovanni >>



    He's looking for investment potential....now how to turn $2300 into $230. >>



    See above for advice on turning $2300 into $230.

    "buy a case of some high end Basketball product and do a live youtube break!" >>



    Or you can buy a $2300 case and make out with 10K+

    Giovanni
  • gumbyfangumbyfan Posts: 5,168 ✭✭✭


    << <i>Or you can buy a $2300 case and make out with 10K+

    Giovanni >>



    But you'd have better luck spending $2300 on scratchoffs...
  • SportsItUpCardsSportsItUpCards Posts: 2,547


    << <i>

    << <i>Or you can buy a $2300 case and make out with 10K+

    Giovanni >>



    But you'd have better luck spending $2300 on scratchoffs... >>



    No, thats exactly were you shouldn't spend spend your money. I would buy cards any day vs. lotto tickets, I think you get better chances.

    Giovanni

    Edited to add: Go and buy $2300 worth of lotto tickets and let me know how you do image
  • jimq112jimq112 Posts: 3,511 ✭✭✭
    Easy question.

    Talk to Steve about the 53 topps mantle that he just got graded, psa 6, and see what he can sell it for. It's his mailman's card and he graded it to sell for him.


    No matter what you do, be careful and spend the little extra to buy from a reputable dealer. There's a lot of questionable sellers out there right now.


    Link to the thread about steve's 53 topps mantle
    image
  • MorgothMorgoth Posts: 3,950 ✭✭✭
    High end RC's will never be unpopular. Personally I think the 51 Mays and 54 Aaron are way undervalued. The 55 Clemente is very popular so it might be hot now but in 5 to 10 years a centered 7 will still be a hot card. If I had the money to start a collection today the first cards I would get in the 1k-2k category would be

    1933 Goudey Ruth Red or Yellow
    T206 Ty Cobb Green or Red
    1948 Bowman Musial
    1954 Hank Aaron
    1951 Bowman Mays
    1948 Bowman Spahn
    1949 Bowman Robinson (I like the 49 Bowman Jackie better and the leafs are really 49's so it's like his RC anyway)
    1954 Ernie Banks
    1955 Koufax
    1959 Gibson
    1953 Topps Mantle
    1953 Topps Mays
    1952 Topps Jackie Robinson
    1952 Topps Mays

    Pretty much this is the order I would try and get them right now. I think prewar cards are just drying up so getting a nice PSA 3-5 Cobb or Ruth will keep getting tougher and more expensive.

    I like all RC's and think the 48 Bowman Musial RC is the most undervalued card in all of the hobby. His Leaf one day will be classified as a 49 issue and thus will no longer be a RC and so his Bowman will one day be his only true RC.

    Spahn is horribly underrated and should sell much higher for his true RCs.

    Aaron should get more respect now that we know all his records were broken by a cheater.

    I didn't include the 55 Clemente because I already have one!

    The 1959 Gibson is tough to find in nice condition with any color or eye appeal.
    The 52 Jackie is probably my favorite card in the hobby.
    Currently completing the following registry sets: Cardinal HOF's, 1961 Pittsburgh Pirates Team, 1972 Pittsburgh Pirates Team, 1980 Pittsburgh Pirates Team, Bill Mazeroski Master & Basic Sets, Roberto Clemente Master & Basic Sets, Willie Stargell Master & Basic Sets and Terry Bradshaw Basic Set
  • HighChopperHighChopper Posts: 1,091
    1986 Topps Alan Knicely.

    The cornerstone of all great collections.
    There's a hole in my head where the rain comes in.
  • tombotombo Posts: 332
    I heard something about the value of a Knicely - Isn't that along the lines of a 52' Mantle?
  • gumbyfangumbyfan Posts: 5,168 ✭✭✭


    << <i>I heard something about the value of a Knicely - Isn't that along the lines of a 52' Mantle? >>



    I'm convinced that with a bit of savvy and a lot of luck, one can trade up from one to the other.
  • JeremyDie1JeremyDie1 Posts: 2,383 ✭✭✭


    << <i>Diversify.

    Buy what makes you happy! >>



    image Diversification is the key for investing in ANYTHING.
  • cardfan07cardfan07 Posts: 680 ✭✭
    Ruth, Mantle, Pre-War, Hi grade HOF rookies.

    If I had the $$...
    1948 Leaf Ruth, DiMaggio, Williams
    Ty Cobb
    Early 50's Mantles
    54 Aaron
    T-206
    T-205
    Caramel cards.

    Obviously you get a lot fewer of some of those for $2300. Good luck with whatever you choose. What a "predicament" to be in!
    Ted Williams, Willie Mays, Tom Seaver, Mike Schmidt, George Brett, Bob Gibson, Lou Brock player collector
  • tombotombo Posts: 332
    Keep the ideas rolling. Once again some great insight and knowledge on display!!
  • kidzfundkidzfund Posts: 565 ✭✭✭

    My selection if I had the cash. Koufax is my all-time favorie player<FONT face=Arial size=2>2- 1933 Goudey Ruth Red or Yellow
    7 - T206 Ty Cobb Green or Red
    10- 1948 Bowman Musial
    4 - 1954 Hank Aaron
    5 - 1951 Bowman Mays
    13- 1948 Bowman Spahn
    3 - 1949 Bowman Robinson (I like the 49 Bowman Jackie better and the leafs are really 49's so it's like his RC anyway)
    9 - 1954 Ernie Banks
    1 - 1955 Koufax
    11- 1959 Gibson
    6 - 1953 Topps Mantle
    13 - 1953 Topps Mays
    8 - 1952 Topps Jackie Robinson
    12 -1952 Topps Mays</FONT>
  • fkwfkw Posts: 1,766 ✭✭
    Are you looking to turn for a quick profit?

    If so.... Buy a large lot of T206 commons (or an obscure PreWar set) from REA's (Robert Edwards Auctions) next auction (April), and then turn and sell them individually on eBay. If you pick the right lot you can easily double your $$ in 1 month.

    If you are looking for a longer term investment when you can turn that $2300 into $7500+ in ayear or two you would want to buy rare cards (NOT common T206, T205, R319, Topps, Bowman, Leaf). Find a 2-10 rare "type cards", ie Uncle Jacks, Orange Border, Baseball Bats, J=K, 1918 Zeenut, M101-4/5 tough backs, Texas Tommy, Tarzan Bread, T217, E222, Big Eater, Western Playground, etc. But this is where you need to be experienced, thats the key.

    Unusual and very rare "type cards" jump the fastest.

    Bottom line, if you need to ask what to buy, you may not be experienced enough to flip for a profit.
    Like others have said buy what you like. Thats the key to a happy collection.
  • packmanpackman Posts: 948
    If you are interested, you can have this for $2,100

    image

    or

    you can have this lot for $2100

    image
    image
    image


    If interested, let me know.
  • hofautoshofautos Posts: 1,934


    << <i>Out of that list: 48 Leaf Robinson PSA 7

    Good luck finding a centered one. >>


    I agree with your selection...didn't think anyone else would pick that one...i have had most of the cards on his list at one time or another, and a nice 48 jackie in psa 7 would be the toughest.
  • Stone193Stone193 Posts: 24,423 ✭✭✭✭✭
    If investment is on the table - and I'm not good at this but ya gotta do some research.

    My guess - a high grade star card - like a PSA 9 Mantle? Whatever fits in that category.

    Or - what about a really nice prewar card - 19th century card?

    That stuff seems to be doing OK compared to new stuff?

    Not sure what I would buy?
    mike
    Mike
  • sando69sando69 Posts: 276
    don't know how much this will end up at in 18 hours (currently $2150), but it would definitely be my choice...

    1933 Goudey #53 PSA 4
  • SidePocketSidePocket Posts: 2,901 ✭✭✭
    If it was me, I'd buy high end:

    59 Gibson
    55 Mays

    "Molon Labe"

  • tombotombo Posts: 332
    Am I correct in thinking that for 1950's rookies (Mays, Aaron, Clemente etc), high end 6's would be good buys? This would leave some money to purchase an additional card or two.
  • WinPitcherWinPitcher Posts: 27,726 ✭✭✭
    Hi end 6's are always a good deal.

    Steve
    Good for you.
  • sando69sando69 Posts: 276
    hey tombo-
    check this out...
    1933 Goudey Ruth #181 PSA 4 $2400
  • kcballboykcballboy Posts: 1,405 ✭✭✭
    Can't go wrong with a Ruth.
    Travis
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