Most Undervalued Key Cards In The Hobby...
MattyC
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These two cards have been on my hitlist for a while; having seen so many examples at shows and online, and having tracked their behavior on VCP for years, I've always believed these two cards were greatly undervalued-- for the following reasons...
1. Consider what both Mantle and DiMaggio achieved both on the field and in terms of iconic, historical status.
2. Consider these are rather old pieces of cardboard.
3. For the Mantle RC, consider how routinely it is plagued by those print lines, poor centering, and wax stains.
4. Again for the Mantle, consider his status in the hobby, the premium his cards sell for, and that this is his one, undisputed RC.
5. For the DiMaggio, it is likely his most popular card, and he owns a titanic and beloved record that has stood for a hot minute now.
6. Both are top 15 cards I believe in that fantastic coffee table book that PSA released, which was good press for both cards.
For these reasons I've been waiting to find either card well centered. For the Mantle, it had to be free of the usual problems-- there are just so many with those issues, which makes those examples without them so special. This discussion begs a greater delving into just which are the most "undervalued" sportscards in the hobby. Now I readily concede that the term "undervalued" is somewhat specious, in that the hammer or sale price of any given card is its true and actual value, but for the purposes of healthy debate and discussion I think we can say the term means a card that we would think would or should be worth more than it usually sells for-- or put another way, a card that sells for surprisingly less than we would assume.
Apologies for my bootleg scanner. Really wish it could take a sharper pic.
The Joe D is sitting a little crooked in the scan, but it is dead-square.
1. Consider what both Mantle and DiMaggio achieved both on the field and in terms of iconic, historical status.
2. Consider these are rather old pieces of cardboard.
3. For the Mantle RC, consider how routinely it is plagued by those print lines, poor centering, and wax stains.
4. Again for the Mantle, consider his status in the hobby, the premium his cards sell for, and that this is his one, undisputed RC.
5. For the DiMaggio, it is likely his most popular card, and he owns a titanic and beloved record that has stood for a hot minute now.
6. Both are top 15 cards I believe in that fantastic coffee table book that PSA released, which was good press for both cards.
For these reasons I've been waiting to find either card well centered. For the Mantle, it had to be free of the usual problems-- there are just so many with those issues, which makes those examples without them so special. This discussion begs a greater delving into just which are the most "undervalued" sportscards in the hobby. Now I readily concede that the term "undervalued" is somewhat specious, in that the hammer or sale price of any given card is its true and actual value, but for the purposes of healthy debate and discussion I think we can say the term means a card that we would think would or should be worth more than it usually sells for-- or put another way, a card that sells for surprisingly less than we would assume.
Apologies for my bootleg scanner. Really wish it could take a sharper pic.
The Joe D is sitting a little crooked in the scan, but it is dead-square.
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His RC in particular is a very good value, I think.
<< <i>I would think an A's fan would be all over that. >>
The A's have fans?
Oh, there's some, Broxton was covering them up.
WTB: 2001 Leaf Rookies & Stars Longevity: Ryan Jensen #/25
That would be saying that once OPC started making cards would Mantle be a rookie for OPC even though OPC came out much later ?
So yes the 1951 Bowman is way under valued in my opinion because it's Mantle's true rookie card not Topps !!
Steve
So anyway, let's not forget these superstars that are in the lineup for these years, just to bad of the mass production.
Steve
When I saw that 51 Mick at auction last week I was so pumped-- couldn't believe it sold for what it did.
As to the Bird/Magic, like the 51 Mantle this is another RC of two monumental players in this case, that is almost always plagued by notorious issues. That should also contribute to higher value.
WTB: PSA 1 - PSA 3 Centered, High Eye Appeal 1950's Mantle
<< <i>Thx. Had been looking rather aggressively for three years. On VCP only two other 5s are on the same plane, the rest are terribly OC. >>
yea, mine has "sterotypical" centering, but i had to have it lol
WTB: PSA 1 - PSA 3 Centered, High Eye Appeal 1950's Mantle
Jim Palmer RC also comes to mind. He was NASTY and the card is very affordable.
Definitely agree on the Frank Robinson RC.
T222's PSA 1 or better
<< <i> I think the Griffey UD is shockingly affordable in PSA 10, perhaps due to supply meeting demand? >>
i honestly wonder if UD has stopped printing them yet lol
but the '89 UD Griffey is one of, if not the most "recognized" cards of the modern era
WTB: PSA 1 - PSA 3 Centered, High Eye Appeal 1950's Mantle
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When you start shopping for an Aaron RC, it does start to look really undervalued. Trying to find one that has all three white borders of equal thickness is a major pain-- I still haven't found one.
The Berk Ross Mantle is a very interesting card; I need to do some homework on that issue.
Same thing with 60's hockey. All tough issues.
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<< <i>
<< <i>I would think an A's fan would be all over that. >>
The A's have fans?
Oh, there's some, Broxton was covering them up.
LOL!!
Matty,
That 51 Bowman Mantle is very nice. Love the centering on that card!
Justin
Retired - Eddie Mathews Master Registry Set (96.36%) Rank 1
Here's one I was shocked could be had for a reasonable amount: the 1932 Caramel Ruth. It's a bold, stunning piece, tough to find in good condition with no creases, and really pictures The Babe as most think of him. His hat just looks so fresh. I copped an undergraded, centered PSA 4 for like 3k. I'd buy as many as I could find and afford. What really struck me about that issue is how infrequently it surfaces for sale. The VCP data in that regard is eye opening. Infrequent sales is definitely a factor to consider when evaluating a card being undervalued.
You gotta be kidding about that 100 yr old boxing great card! I thought those old boxing cards were crazy expensive. That is staggeringly low.
Got to imagine less than a handful of the name on front, no name on front variety exist.
Nick
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<< <i>
<< <i> I think the Griffey UD is shockingly affordable in PSA 10, perhaps due to supply meeting demand? >>
i honestly wonder if UD has stopped printing them yet lol
but the '89 UD Griffey is one of, if not the most "recognized" cards of the modern era >>
Does anyone realize that over 55,000 of the 1989 UD Griffey rookies have been graded by PSA alone?
1955 Koufax Rookie
1954 Bowman ted Williams
1951 Whitey Ford Bowman
<< <i>
<< <i>
<< <i> I think the Griffey UD is shockingly affordable in PSA 10, perhaps due to supply meeting demand? >>
i honestly wonder if UD has stopped printing them yet lol
but the '89 UD Griffey is one of, if not the most "recognized" cards of the modern era >>
Does anyone realize that over 55,000 of the 1989 UD Griffey rookies have been graded by PSA alone? >>
With less than 4% receiving a 10.
Justin
Retired - Eddie Mathews Master Registry Set (96.36%) Rank 1
I heard back in the day from a few dealers that it was thought UD employees would print stacks of this card for themselves after the print run.
If the card were to spike again. I could see it come back to normal prices very easy. Great card though!
<< <i>Agreed on the NNOF-- been after one for a while but cant find one in a PSA holder. If you have any leads on one please feel free to PM me. >>
here ya go....
Link - there is one on ebay now
try finding these....
The 1951 Wheaties Mantle is at least 500+X rarer than the very common 1951 Bowman card, and far cheaper... Very undervalued.
2nd most undervalued Mantle would be the 1951/53 Mantle Exhibit card, but they are common... even though often overlooked and 99+% of collectors are clueless on its true age, or how to tell the 7 different Mantle Exhibits apart from ea. other... price guides (still) list the 1957-1961, 1963 Mantle Exhibit (4 dif) as more valuable lol
The 1935 Pebble Beach Clothiers DiMaggio is about 5,000+X rare than the 1941 R336 PlayBall, and will sell for far less than a high grade R336, even with a 1935 autograph on the card (all PBC cards are signed by the players)..... Obviously Very undervalued given the cards are extremely rare and the sig is PreYankees...
2nd most undervalued DiMaggio would be the 1939 V351 World Wide Gum card (Ted Williams "Best" Rookie card is also in this attractive set and very undervalued)
It seems those old boxing cards are surprisingly affordable.
Love the Wheaties Mantle. Haven't seen one in a bit for sale. When it comes to the lesser known issues, I wonder if the card is less known/desired/valued precisely because it is so rare, and thus should be worth more-- or did its rarity in effect hurt its value, in the sense that the rarity prevented the card from becoming widely desired? I for example love the 1936 V355 DiMaggio, but when choosing which one of his cards to represent in my collection, I ultimately chose the one that has the broadest/deepest market in case I ever need to sell-- in this case that was a card I also liked very much.
Some cards, while not rare, are just so popular that their popularity has inspired a great demand-- and I guess when the demand for nice examples outstrips supply the card in question (i.e., 51B or 52T Mantle) can become worth much more than another issue that is much rarer.
<< <i>Obviously, I'm biased b/c I'm a Ruth collector and I have a beater one of these, but I think the M101-4/5 Ruth rookie card is still undervalued even given its recent run-up. Even w/ the many back variations of the card, it's scarcity isn't much more than the T206 Wagner, and Ruth is a bigger star. If the mid grade Wagner's can reach mid hundred K's, I think the same for the Ruth's. And obviously, I think each of the Baltimore News pre-rookie Ruth with a total pop around 10 should have a value near a mil. >>
I agree 100%, especially on the rare back M101-4/5 Ruth cards ie Altoona, Burgess-Nash, Everybody's, Green Joyce, Noon-Day, Successful Farming, Holmes to Homes...
The 1914 Balt News Ruth card should be $5 Million++.... if that overrate far from rare T206 Wagner (trimmed PSA-8) can get 2.8 Mil
PS your avatar pic... the red background (missing blue ink) W519-2-1 Ruth card is a fairly rare one too... nice Ruth card, and overrated as well
<< <i>Interesting. That last sale of that PSA 8 NNOF Thomas lists as a completed sale at first glance on VCP, which might encourage bidders to go higher than usual. I don't see that one often in a PSA slab for sale.
It seems those old boxing cards are surprisingly affordable.
Love the Wheaties Mantle. Haven't seen one in a bit for sale. When it comes to the lesser known issues, I wonder if the card is less known/desired/valued precisely because it is so rare, and thus should be worth more-- or did its rarity in effect hurt its value, in the sense that the rarity prevented the card from becoming widely desired? I for example love the 1936 V355 DiMaggio, but when choosing which one of his cards to represent in my collection, I ultimately chose the one that has the broadest/deepest market in case I ever need to sell-- in this case that was a card I also liked very much.
Some cards, while not rare, are just so popular that their popularity has inspired a great demand-- and I guess when the demand for nice examples outstrips supply the card in question (i.e., 51B or 52T Mantle) can become worth much more than another issue that is much rarer. >>
Matty, its also name brand recognition. Most collectors are mainstream collectors, and would much rather have a vintage Bowman, Topps, playball, T206,or Goudey card than an oddball Wheaties card or a 1935 pebble beach clothier Dimaggio, whatever that is.
Not key cards, but I'd suggest the following Tiffany RC's are undervalued.
'87 Maddux Topps Tiffany
'88 Glavine Topps Tiffany
'89 Griffey Jr Bowman Tiffany
'90 Thomas Topps Tiffany
'91 Bagwell Topps Traded Tiffany
'91 Chipper Jones Topps Tiffany
For vintage, 1960 Fleer Ted Williams. Bought a PSA 7.5 for $35 dlvd on ebay. Shocking to me, considering it was issued during his playing days, and there was no Topps counterpart.
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<< <i>Since this is undervalued rookie's let's not forget all of the 1990's rookies. Just because they mass produced the cards they are worth nothing but in 1990 hockey look at how many rookies are in there and all of the Hall of Famers. The only good thing about these cards are kids can still pay next to nothing for them unlike the packs being produced today. My kids have yet to ask me for 50.00 dollars or more to buy a single pack of cards.
So anyway, let's not forget these superstars that are in the lineup for these years, just to bad of the mass production.
Steve >>
best year ever for hockey Hof rc's. Even with Lindros not ending up as an elite pro-player. i agree, too bad so overproduced. rip open a score set and let the kids play with them.
<< <i>I think the '68 Nolan Ryan RC is undervalued as well as Bench RC and Pete Rose. Henderson, Dave winfield, Eddie Murray, Bob Feller, Bo Jackson. >>
I completely agree with the Henderson card. I couldnt touch one when I was a kid in the mid 80's now they are plentyful. I also dont think we will see a player like Rickey again.
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<< <i>I think the '68 Nolan Ryan RC is undervalued as well as Bench RC and Pete Rose. Henderson, Dave winfield, Eddie Murray, Bob Feller, Bo Jackson. >>
I just picked up a PSA 9 Bench RC in a slightly scratched holder for $700 plus auction commission. Kind of surprised me that I won it, but I'll take it. Not a rare card.
I think that Topps featuring past legends in current cards will remind collectors of past legends' awesome feats and careers-- and hopefully drive guys to take a gander now and again at the older stats on baseballreference.com. Maybe that will rekindle interest and goose prices?
I mean-- take YOGI BERRA. Here's a guy who had MORE HOMERS THAN STRIKEOUTS-- like 5 or 6 times I believe. And we're talking 25-30 HRs here. Who the heck does that in today's game? And yet I can pick up his RC-- from 1948 no less-- in beautifully centered PSA 6 for well under a grand? Happy to do it, but the card should sell for way more in my opinion.
Last I looked a few months back there where 51 examples in PSA 9. The card is around $5,000-$5,500. This card I think will only keep going up, don't see this card having 100 in PSA 9 for a long time.
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