Last Good Special For Cards Produced Later Than 1956?
Mefer
Posts: 1,162 ✭✭✭
Hey All--
I have not tracked the specials in a half a year or so after my last membership lapsed. In the interim, however, I have picked up cards here and there that I would like to submit at some point. In my case, I enjoy hunting for nice looking cards from the 60s to early 80s for submission. Its by no means a big money making proposition as I seem to end up keeping more of these cards I submit than sell. I do however enjoy the challenge of the chase and every once and a while will hit on a 10 that will fetch $100+ (again, nothing major).
Has there been any decent special in the last six months or so for such cards? I have not seen anything appealing the last two months I have checked. For what I do, I obviously look for prices as cheap as possible as this, again, is not a huge money making proposition (and I probably show a net loss most times but the net cost is high entertainment value for me). If these specials continue, or prices remain too high, I will be priced out in submitting these types of cards (or conversely, it will not be worth the expense).
In any event, I am hoping for something to return in the $5.00 range but do not know if that is a pipe dream at this point. If it is, that will be disappointing from my end as I enjoy the exercise of trying to hit 10s on random relatively inexpensive cards I pick up. Such is a fun chase within that price range. Of course, like all of us, I do wish I had stacks upon stacks of star cards from the 50s and 60s lying around in pristine condition for submission; I don't so I enjoy the more accessible pursuit. It would be a shame from my little world if this exercise is priced out.
Matt
Comments
$5 = total pipe dream. $5.75 is absolute lowest nowadays, with $6-7 looking like the new norm.
I don't necessarily think you're being priced out if your focus is still on being a collector who enjoys the pursuit. There should be little, if any dependency on a 3rd party grading opinion if you are satisfied with your own for raw cards. However, sending in examples you'd prefer to have in a slab is fine, too. The value aspect requires perspective. If you felt comfortable spending 5 bucks a card, you could just as easily spend a little more per card and be more selective about what you submit. The possibility of hitting a high grade with increased value adds to the potential of added costs for grading services, which would also need to be part of your advance planning.
There were some months during CY2016 that had the special at $5.75 but it has been about a year since the last one. The later half of 2016 was typically $6.00. The most recent month w/ $5.50 was November 2015.
They had specials in Jan and Feb 2017. I am still waiting for a sub to pop for Feb and I believe it was 6.00 or 6.25 per card.
I do believe the 6.00 range monthly specials will be history in 2018.
Right. Wasn't implying otherwise. There is almost always a special on '56-present, but during some months the special is more special than in others
The approaching National makes me wonder if we will see a 56-present special before September. I am hoping it won't be $7 or more then.
Also waiting on a sub from the Feb special. A little depressed at the last 3 months of 56-present specials. At $12.00 per card, they are saying they do not want post 56 cards sent in.
Bulk sub is $7 for 100. I did one last month. Should see $6 later this summer some time after they fget caught up from National
Thanks all for the input. Looks like the right play for me is just to hang tight until after the National and see what shakes down. Best of luck to all in your submissions!
Matt
If you live near Santa Ana, they have a post-56 special for drop-off submissions.
https://www.psacard.com/resources/shows/
Did not see that; I do not live near PSA but I appreciate the heads up!
Matt