1980's Topps Tiffany...

olb31

Does anyone think that these cards in PSA 10 could some day take off due to the low production run? For example, will the 1984 Sandberg, Gwynn, Boggs, surpass the 1983 versions? Your thought would be appreciated.

mygotta

<< <i>Does anyone think that these cards in PSA 10 could some day take off due to the low production run? For example, will the 1984 Sandberg, Gwynn, Boggs, surpass the 1983 versions? Your thought would be appreciated. >>



What little I know about Tiffany, the Mattingly has surpassed the $1000 mark in a PSA 10. The 1991 Tiffany set is reported to be numbered only to 6,000 sets. The 1987 Tiffany (base and traded) seems the most abundant.

miwlvrn

My concern with the Topps Tiffany sets has always been that it is relatively easier to get a Gem Mint 10 grade with those vs. the standard issue. I realize the production is significantly lower with the Tiffany cards, but most are in mint condition due to the manner in which they were distributed. For example, you mention the 1984 Ryne Sandberg; approx. 30% of Tiffany cards submitted get a PSA 10 grade vs. approx 10% of the parallel standard card get a 10. If you search completed sales for any Tiffany card, it is pretty easy to find cases where the standard pack issue card in a 10 sells for considerably higher than the Tiffany version. That said, yes, they do have limited production, so they are not a bad pickup. I just don't think there can be as much to be said for a premium paid for a certain grade on those.

Gemyanks10

I'm just wondering after all these years, how many set's could still be factory sealed and mint. Like stated previously, a lot more sets were distributed in the late 80's, but as far as the first three years that they were made 84-86, how many people busted open their sets to get the Mattingly, Clemens, Puckett, Bonds etc and then just forgot about the rest of the set. I currently own the 84,85,86 and 91 sets and have thought about busting them open to see what's in there but have held off. I have also thought about starting a gem 10 only 1984 Tiffany set as that was the year I was born, but wanted to do the 1980 set first. I'm also wondering with the limited production run if there are any cards in these sets that are hard to find in Gem 10 grade, or if they were pretty careful when making all of the cards. I definitely want to learn more about the Tiffany run as all I know now was that they were made in Ireland and not nearly as plentiful as the regular release. Was their any miscuts, print defects, blotches etc with these?

Jimmy

ClockworkAngel

Yes, I definitely think there are some great investment potentials in there. As the other poster said, we're a little late on the Mattingly, but I would look more at the 86-91 cards. Barry Bonds, Maddux, Griffey, Frank Thomas, etc. In the junk wax era when rookie cards of those guys are everywhere, those are the ones as scarce as stuff from the 70's. I also think Leaf from Donruss (85-87) and O-Pee-Chee has some room too

digicat

I don't think the 2nd year Tiffany cards will blow past their non Tiffany version rookie card counterparts, but I like the Tiffany versions of the rookie cards themselves.

RipublicaninMass

They never came in packs, so no IMO

Baez578

I find Tiffany cards to be the premier card for late 80's and early 90's rc's.

It dont think its harder to find a 10 in regular production versions. I think that many of those cards arent worth submission yet.

Also, consider how many people are sitting on unopened junk wax boxes and sets.

You can't say the same about Tiffany cards. The numbers will eventually favor tiffany cards so you can't go wrong collecting them IMO.

Gemyanks10

Is there a lot of known defects with Tiffany cards? I know back then technology wasn't really up to snuff like it is nowadays. When I bought my Tiffany sets, I bought them with the intention of keeping them sealed probably forever. Though with the prices of some of these Gem 10 rookies, I'm not sure. Do you think it's worth the risk to bust? I know with many of the regular Topps sets I've bought in the past, especially 1986, it's usually filled with mis-cuts, off centering etc...I wonder if that's the case with some of the Tiffany sets....

Jimmy

bishop

I don't view them as an investment but do have a full unopened run of the Topps Tiffany regular and update sets 84 to 91, and the sets issued in 2000, 2001 and 2003.

Baez578

I've only opened one set and a good chunk of the set was OC including the best card (maddux RC)

Not opening the others for some time if at all

Dpeck100

I have opened the 1984, 1986, and 1989 Toppd Traded Tiffany factory sets.

The 1986 Topps Traded Tiffany was nice and the Bonds came back a PSA 8. The other card I was looking for Bo Jackson I did not grade becuase it had a surface issue that I believe would have adversley affected the grade. With black borders chipping and corner wear are the two obvious issues that come to mind.

The cards from the 1984 set were very sharp but the Dwight Gooden had poor centering and would not have graded mint. Unfortunately there are very few cards from this set that bring any money in a mint grade and I overpaid for this set when I purchased it from BBCX for $100. With the order I purchased two 89 Fleer Glossy sets and that turned out to be a tremendous purchase so it was easy to forget about the money I lost on the Tiffany set.

The 1989 set was nice as well but the Ken Griffey Jr. recieved an 8 and the Randy Johnson I still hold raw and it would most likely grade an 8 or 9.

Overall I believe that the standard issues that affect cards from factory sets apply here and the issue becomes which cards have more centering issues on a frequent basis.

In terms of prices I can't see an environment where a 1983 Topps Ryan Sandberg sells for less then a 1984 Topps Tiffany in a PSA 10 grade.

3BoyzTrading

It's all relative, a low production run in 1984 is -6,000. A low production run in 2013 is -99.

Gemyanks10

Ok thanks that's good to know. I may just keep mine sealed as I would rather have every Tiffany set sealed and make a nice display out of it.

Jimmy

olb31

<< <i>It's all relative, a low production run in 1984 is -6,000. A low production run in 2013 is -99. >>



I think the serialed #'d cards are going to be very expensive forever. 6,000 sets for any topps products issued without serialed numbers is very very low. There have probably been close to 6,000 Rickey Henderson rookies graded already by PSA and you know there are thousands more to come, but a PSA 10 Henderson would sell for upwards $10,000. There will probably never be a 1984 Topps Tiffany card with 100 PSA 10's, very few with 50.

ldferg

<< <i>Is there a lot of known defects with Tiffany cards? I know back then technology wasn't really up to snuff like it is nowadays. When I bought my Tiffany sets, I bought them with the intention of keeping them sealed probably forever. Though with the prices of some of these Gem 10 rookies, I'm not sure. Do you think it's worth the risk to bust? I know with many of the regular Topps sets I've bought in the past, especially 1986, it's usually filled with mis-cuts, off centering etc...I wonder if that's the case with some of the Tiffany sets....

Jimmy >>



Yes, there are defects. Centering and indentations along with severe corner issues due to the factory packing. GEMs are not as easy as you may think.

hyperchipper09

<< <i>Is there a lot of known defects with Tiffany cards? I know back then technology wasn't really up to snuff like it is nowadays. When I bought my Tiffany sets, I bought them with the intention of keeping them sealed probably forever. Though with the prices of some of these Gem 10 rookies, I'm not sure. Do you think it's worth the risk to bust? I know with many of the regular Topps sets I've bought in the past, especially 1986, it's usually filled with mis-cuts, off centering etc...I wonder if that's the case with some of the Tiffany sets....

Jimmy >>




Only speaking about the 84 and 85's but both of those years I've seen many Tiffany cards with a full length, down the center, not crease because it doesn't go through the back but it's a defect. Bigger than a normal print line, easy to see under certain light.

jbox

I've been picking up Tiffany sets for the last few years. I've opened a few and agree that it's much harder than one would think to find gem mint cards. Surface issues are huge for 89-91 as well as centering. The 1991 Tiffany (Regular and Traded) have really increased in price over the last year or two. I know which one I think is the most undervalued, but I'll keep it to myself so I can buy them all!

jbox

Baez578

<< <i>It's all relative, a low production run in 1984 is -6,000. A low production run in 2013 is -99. >>



I'm not disagreeing but your comments made me think about something....

In 1984 there's fleer, donruss, topps, tiffany, and OPC. in 2013, how many brands....versions are there? Despite numbers, we know that there's 4/5 80's RC's tops. In 2013, I haven't the slightest (since I don't collect them) but I get the impression there's more than 4/5 (regular, chrome, refractors of all sorts, etc)

MiniDuff

I am and have always been a fan of Tiffany sets, back to when I first saw the 84, in 84. They have every bit the production issues of the regular issues with all over the place centering and all kinds of surface defects. I was lucky recently and also bought an 84 update from bbce, but hit a 10 on the Gooden. Sold it for $400.

There are arguments to be made for both sides, specifically that they didn't come in packs. That said, I don't think it is fair to compare a second year tiffany to a first year regular as the measure of success. In my opinion, the Tiffany sets are a great opportunity long term. We are talking about an absolutely stained era. Steroids and the implosion of the hobby due to insane overproduction.

Two things stand out to me:

1. There will come a time when we look back and the dust has settled and players of this era are in demand greater than today. At this point, I assume that everyone was on steroid, amphetamines or some kind of performance enhancer. I believe the players of the era will be judged by each other for context, rather than history for that reason.

2. When that time comes, or even now, and you look at the production numbers as well as the sheer visual appeal, these cards will stand out. Think of this and put yourself in the 80s mindset, not now. 84 - 10,000 sets, 85 - 5,000 sets, 86 - 5,000 sets, 87 - 30,000 sets, 88 - 30,000 sets, 89 - 15,000 sets. What does that work out to? 1/10 of 1% of card production for that era? 1% at most?

I see very little downside here. As mentioned earlier, I agree that Leaf and OPC also stand out for similar reasons. People will eventually collect the era and I think the oddball stuff will really shine. JMHO.

Dpeck100

Hyperchipper that is the exact issue I had with the Bo Jackson card I pulled. I purchased another one raw on EBAY and it had the same problem.

stevebay

I bought a 1990 Topps Tiffany set on the bay last year, and although it was not a sealed set, the serial number on the bottom was 0001! Not sure if that carriers any sort of premium or not (likely not, since the set was not factory sealed).

hyperchipper09

<< <i>Hyperchipper that is the exact issue I had with the Bo Jackson card I pulled. I purchased another one raw on EBAY and it had the same problem. >>



Not a Tiffany card but I had a Darryl Strawberry 84 Donruss, PSA 9, with the exact kind of line. My OCD did not allow me to keep that card knowing that indent/line/whatever was right there. Still no clue how that card got a grade of 9

Big80s

Great thread, and some good insight here. I love the early Topps Tiffany sets, as well as OPC from '85 and earlier. I definitely think high grade Tiffany stars and rookie cards will do well in the future.

CW

<< <i>
I don't view them as an investment but do have a full unopened run of the Topps Tiffany regular and update sets 84 to 91, and the sets issued in 2000, 2001 and 2003. >>



Not surprising, Al, as your collection includes just about a full run of.... everything.


One issue I've found with some of the tiffany issues is yellowing of the front surface -- or, the plastic coating on the cards, when kept in certain environments, can turn yellow-ish over time. I have a couple tiffany '85 Topps Clemens RCs (ugh, yes, I know) and while they are both mint, one is significantly more yellow (or toned) than the other. I realize there's nothing you can do about this, but sometimes it can be a turn off. Of course, nice bright, white examples can command a premium.

Gemyanks10

I just don't understand what Topps' problem was back then. I understand that with the regular cards, it was all about the Gum and not the cards, but with a specialty series like the Tiffany releases, you would think they would have been more careful with the quality control aspect of it. Maybe they were, but technology still wasn't up to par yet? I understand that centering etc can't be perfect on every card, but to have print lines on most of the cards in the first 2 years of production etc is uncalled for. I'm definitely keeping mine sealed

vols1

I think you missed the boat, lol. Prices 'took off' during the HR chase years.

MiniDuff

One other VERY important point if you are considering cracking Tiffany:

The boxes themselves are paper thin. They make vending boxes seem like armor in comparison. If the outer, protective box is missing, and it usually is, I guarantee you are going to have mangled cards.

hammered

<< <i>1. There will come a time when we look back and the dust has settled and players of this era are in demand greater than today. At this point, I assume that everyone was on steroid, amphetamines or some kind of performance enhancer. I believe the players of the era will be judged by each other for context, rather than history for that reason. >>



I believe this 100%

mygotta

Did Topps do Tiffany in 2001-2001??

bobsbbcards

<< <i>I bought a 1990 Topps Tiffany set on the bay last year, and although it was not a sealed set, the serial number on the bottom was 0001! Not sure if that carriers any sort of premium or not (likely not, since the set was not factory sealed). >>



I have a sealed 1986 Tiffany set serial #'d 0004. Kind of cool.