is it just me or has the high grade RC market been surging?

pauldrolkees

I have noticed that notably PSA 10 or PSA 9 rookies have been selling for record highs when i checked the sold records. what gives? economy is good?!

ClockworkAngel

I don't think this is a recent development, as there has been an ongoing surge in these prices since the Dmitri auction. It seems various high end RC's each have their turn and right now we are seeing it with Aaron, Jordan, Gretzky, and Jose Canseco

PSASAP

I see what you did there, trying to slip Canseco's name in there to see if we're paying attention. Very crafty.

lseecon

Over the last year or so, high end rookie HOF have gone up significantly. PSA 9 and 10s of most everything and PSA 8s of most pre 1975, with huge increases in PSA 8s (and even lower grades) of a lot of 1950s and earlier rookie cards. The 51 bowman mays and mantles, the 48 leaf and 49 bowman rc hofs and 54 aaron, banks, kaline, 55 clemente, koufax killebrew. Also most of the key 1960 and 1970 rookie cards like Rose, Seaver, Jackson, Carew, Bench, etc. Some of these seemed undervalued when compared to other cards. Not sure if it is a bubble or people just trying to flip these or real collector/investor interest. But lots of money out there and many 30 year olds to 60 year olds have become quite rich with tech companies, real estate, stock market in general over the last 7 years in this post recession liquidity induced recovery and doesn't take much money to move the higher end card market prices. For even a handful of wealthy 30-65 year olds, taking 5% of their wealth and buying some cards and collectibles, probably makes sense. How fun is it to look at an account statement with a bunch of zeros after the numbers. Sure its great to have a lot of cash and money in the bank and stock market, but at some point having tangible things that you can hold in your hand, look at and enjoy and collect, has a lot more appeal once you have enough cash and financial security.
For most of the people driving up the prices of really high end rookie cards, the money they are spending is basically rounding errors for these folks. Spending $10k on a card for some may be like another person spending $20 on a card. Be interesting to see if these strong price increases continue. All about supply and demand.

Same increase is happening I believe in other areas of collectibles, such as classic cars, artwork, etc. Not sure about the toy and comic market, as I don't follow those areas too much.

70ToppsFanatic

I, for one, will not be satisfied until the Aurelio Rodriguez RC in PSA 9 is going for at least $250!

mattyc_collection

Unfortunately for bottom feeders like me it's every nice card across all grades moving up, even 1s, 2s, 3s. And now even the consignment shops are hanging huge lanterns on the diamonds in the rough.

grote15

<< <i>Unfortunately for bottom feeders like me it's every nice card across all grades moving up, even 1s, 2s, 3s. And now even the consignment shops are hanging huge lanterns on the diamonds in the rough. >>



Matty, if your card budget puts you in the bottomfeeder category, the vast majority of us must be dead and buried, LOL!!

cincyredlegs

<< <i>

<< <i>Unfortunately for bottom feeders like me it's every nice card across all grades moving up, even 1s, 2s, 3s. And now even the consignment shops are hanging huge lanterns on the diamonds in the rough. >>



Matty, if your card budget puts you in the bottomfeeder category, the vast majority of us must be dead and buried, LOL!! >>




LOL......sorry Matty, not picking on you but that Ruth rookie is worth more than most of our collections. Though it is a dang nice looking card. Im like you however, I love the low grade #, high eye appeal card.

Mark

mattyc_collection

Yup, Mark, that's what I meant-- have definitely noticed what the OP noticed in the bottom grade zone, where I love to shop. Maybe it's that the crazier the world out there gets, on even a subconscious level, the more people are trying to create a peaceful oasis where they can connect to the simpler times and youth, hence the trend noted in the OP.

pauldrolkees

<< <i>Yup, Mark, that's what I meant-- have definitely noticed what the OP noticed in the bottom grade zone, where I love to shop. Maybe it's that the crazier the world out there gets, on even a subconscious level, the more people are trying to create a peaceful oasis where they can connect to the simpler times and youth, hence the trend noted in the OP. >>



that's quite true, i guess our hobby is cyclical.

BLUEJAYWAY

I wonder if it has anything to do with once the cards are priced out of most of the average collectors price affordability, they move on to the seemingly undervalued HOF/players. Thereby boosting up that previously perceived undervalued market. We have to put our $ somewhere and if we can justify a players qualifications/popularity to merit our purchase, then prices rise and jumping on the bandwagon begins. In the antique radio mkt. where I delve, certain "hot" models took off and priced themselves out of the mkt. cept for a financially capable few. So collectors moved on to other brands/models/styles, then those were boosted up in price and scarcity.Just my view from personal experience.