Pick 3 vintage rookie cards

JimMeant

I'm really looking forward to going to the National in Chicago at the end of the month. One of the main things I'm always on the look out for is vintage rookie cards. Because I can't afford to buy them in high grade, I enjoy hunting for them in Ex/ExMt condition.

With all that said, I was curious to hear from some of the board members. If you were to pick 3 vintage rookie cards to hunt for, what would they be? Baseball, football, basketball are all fair game. Let's say they must be $300 and under per card. What are some recommendations...go!

Grimster

Im still thinking about it, but have a question. Are you thinking $300 per card RAW in Ex/ExMt....or $300 for something already slabbed a PSA 5 or 6?

miwlvrn

PSA 5 to 6 at that $300 price level being the criteria, you should be able to pick up a decent 1979 Topps Gretzky, 1953 Parkhurst Tim Horton, and a 1965 Topps Phil Esposito.


Edit to add, I see you don't have hockey on your list of fair game.

begsu1013

q: and would this be for rc's that you do not currently possess?

if so,

lou brock
willie mccovey
cristiano ronaldo

vintagefun

Last year I picked up a 48B Musial 4, a 55 Koufax 4, and a raw 61F Wilt (graded a 5) all for about 400 each. Obviously that's a little over, but maybe in the ballpark.

For under 300 I might be looking at:
BK: Maravich, Kareem, and Dr. J...or the obvious Bird/Magic
FB: Unitas, Butkus, Staubach, and Payton
BB: Berra, Maris, Bench, Schmidt all come to mind in that range, but you could luck into a variety of players in a lower grade high eye appeal card that's in range too.

Good Luck
Jim

JimMeant

I was thinking of $300 and under to buy raw rookie cards in EX or EX/MT condition.

And these would be rookie cards that I do not currently own.
(That would exclude rookie cards such as Lou Brock, Yaz)

miwlvrn

If you're lucky you might be able to find someone who only needs $300 for a midgrade raw 1968 Mira Lew Alcindor

vintagefun

I'd say be very discriminating when buying raw. Seems like most want graded prices for raw cards leaving you holding the bag if it doesn't grade as expected. I also prefer to buy raw from those that pretty much just sell raw. This logic may be flawed, but if I see they are selling mostly graded cards and also some raw, I'm always a bit skeptical as to why they didn't get some of those good looking raws graded. I like buying raw from the guys tha just never bought in to TPGs. As always, exceptions apply and I do look at everything. But I'd be interested to hear others thoughts.

slum22

<< <i>I'd say be very discriminating when buying raw. Seems like most want graded prices for raw cards leaving you holding the bag if it doesn't grade as expected. I also prefer to buy raw from those that pretty much just sell raw. This logic may be flawed, but if I see they are selling mostly graded cards and also some raw, I'm always a bit skeptical as to why they didn't get some of those good looking raws graded. I like buying raw from the guys tha just never bought in to TPGs. As always, exceptions apply and I do look at everything. But I'd be interested to hear others thoughts. >>



This is sound advice.

Eta: forgot to give my RC picks:
Football--Jim Brown 4-5
Hockey--Mario Lemieux Topps PSA 9 (you'll even have change left over)
Baseball--Killebrew PSA 6
Basketball-- Julius Erving PSA 7

Most of these can be had for less than $300

jay0791

+2

Even on ebay I do that. Some modern cards are money losers if you get a 8 or 9.
If seller is hyping the card as mint+++ then I check to see if he is also selling graded 9's or 10's
If yes then you are looking at leftover slop. There is a guy selling WNBA cards that does just that.

BTW Tim Horton is 52 parkie

I would choose cards who's psa 8's or higher are flying upwards right now.

Jim Brown, Wilt, Killer, Koufax are excellent choices.

However I would combine the $ and get a 55 Clemente.