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What to do...1974 OPC Packs

A few weeks ago, I purchased the remaining 11 packs from BBCE of 1974 OPC Baseball. I sold 2 to Tom (tsalems) at cost as he loves old OPC as much as I do, but I have 9 remaining. I just saw that one of them has a Carl Yasztremski on top.

I am staring at these 9 packs every day trying to figure out what to do with them. I can send them in to PSA and wait the 3 months to have them graded. I can pick the best 3 or 4 and send them in and open the rest OR I can just rip them all.

For those that don't know, 1974 OPC is by far the rarest and hardest to find of any 70's OPC. A few of the fellow board members have educated me on that. If I recall, it had to do with factory workers going on strike and disrupting production so very few cards were produced and the quality is horrible so anything in 8 or above is gold

The dilemma is

1. The 1974 OPC Winfield RC is in my top 5 wanted cards
2. I really don't know what I'm looking for in the way of cherry picking the best looking packs for grading. I know tears in the wrapper are a biggy, but besides that I really don't get it
3. I'm a ripaholic and I'm dying to rip into these lol

Really interested in everyone's opinions
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Comments

  • tsalems1tsalems1 Posts: 3,373 ✭✭✭
    Why ask? You know what to do image
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  • grote15grote15 Posts: 29,478 ✭✭✭✭✭
    If you're looking to sell any, I will buy them. image


    Collecting 1970s Topps baseball wax, rack and cello packs, as well as PCGS graded Half Cents, Large Cents, Two Cent pieces and Three Cent Silver pieces.
  • As a spectator, and not someone giving advice. I say rip, rip, rip away!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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    Brian
  • SloshedJoshSloshedJosh Posts: 80 ✭✭
    image
    Looking to buy/trade for any Holman Moody (NASCAR) related items you may have.
  • divecchiadivecchia Posts: 6,525 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Knowing how rare they are, I would save at least 1 or 2 packs and send those in to get graded. Sell a couple and open the rest.

    Good luck,

    Donato
    Hobbyist & Collector (not an investor).
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  • 70ToppsFanatic70ToppsFanatic Posts: 2,103 ✭✭✭✭
    Please do not rip. There aren't that many left. You can find a Winfield already out and slabbed in nice grade much easier than you can find those packs.


    Dave
  • DboneesqDboneesq Posts: 18,220 ✭✭
    Save AT LEAST the one with YAZ on top.
    STAY HEALTHY!

    Doug

    Liquidating my collection for the 3rd and final time. Time for others to enjoy what I have enjoyed over the last several decades. Money could be put to better use.
  • ClockworkAngelClockworkAngel Posts: 1,994 ✭✭✭


    << <i>Please do not rip. There aren't that many left. You can find a Winfield already out and slabbed in nice grade much easier than you can find those packs. >>



    Not so much. There have been a whopping 37 TOTAL graded, which gives us an idea of how rare these are. There is 1 9, 1 8.5, and 12 8's
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  • tsalems1tsalems1 Posts: 3,373 ✭✭✭
    Last 8 from what I can remember sold well over $400!
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  • ChiefsFan1stChiefsFan1st Posts: 845 ✭✭✭


    << <i>Last 8 from what I can remember sold well over $400! >>



    Looks like the smart money is with grading them. You can always change your mind and
    crack and rip later.
    I dont wanna grow up, Im a Toys-R-Us kid!
  • grote15grote15 Posts: 29,478 ✭✭✭✭✭
    One of my favorite OPC packs from my 70s run..

    image


    Collecting 1970s Topps baseball wax, rack and cello packs, as well as PCGS graded Half Cents, Large Cents, Two Cent pieces and Three Cent Silver pieces.
  • tsalems1tsalems1 Posts: 3,373 ✭✭✭


    << <i>

    << <i>Last 8 from what I can remember sold well over $400! >>



    Looks like the smart money is with grading them. You can always change your mind and
    crack and rip later. >>



    The last PSA 8 Winfield
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  • ChiefsFan1stChiefsFan1st Posts: 845 ✭✭✭
    oh, my bad.image But I still say grade them
    I dont wanna grow up, Im a Toys-R-Us kid!
  • RyanAdmirerRyanAdmirer Posts: 632 ✭✭
    One of your top 5 wanted may actually be in the packs? I can't believed you haven't ripped already....???!!!
    I'm a big Nolan Ryan fan OK???!!!
  • ReggieClevelandReggieCleveland Posts: 3,854 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Well I need just ONE pack for my OPC run so obviously I suggest you sell them all. In the name of all that is sacred.

    The odds of a Winfield being in there aren't good. The odds of a Winfield in a condition you're happy with being in there is really, really not good.
  • DodgerfanjohnDodgerfanjohn Posts: 489 ✭✭✭
    I know we've disagreed on stuff before, but I do think you have the same mindset I do, and thats that you cannot rip something this rare.

    If you do have to rip, and believe me I understand the urge, I'd sent the best 4-5 packs in for grading including the Yaz, and AFTER you've sent them off, then rip away.
  • ClockworkAngelClockworkAngel Posts: 1,994 ✭✭✭


    << <i>I know we've disagreed on stuff before, but I do think you have the same mindset I do, and thats that you cannot rip something this rare.

    If you do have to rip, and believe me I understand the urge, I'd sent the best 4-5 packs in for grading including the Yaz, and AFTER you've sent them off, then rip away. >>



    Yah that makes sense. Problem is I dunno what I'm looking for in terms of the best ones for grading. I am sure it's not much different than cards in terms of looking for the details that make a pack a 9 or a 10
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  • jmoran19jmoran19 Posts: 1,605 ✭✭✭
    (9*8)/660 = 10.91% chance or lower If there are dupes for a Winfield, keep them sealed

    And yes I am a CPA

    Current obsession, all things Topps 1969 - 1972

  • As for picking the best packs to grade. Look for no tears, centred front logos, bright virbrant colours.
  • gemintgemint Posts: 6,066 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>

    << <i>Please do not rip. There aren't that many left. You can find a Winfield already out and slabbed in nice grade much easier than you can find those packs. >>



    Not so much. There have been a whopping 37 TOTAL graded, which gives us an idea of how rare these are. There is 1 9, 1 8.5, and 12 8's >>



    I'm fortunate to own a 9. Strange thing is Tim seems to also have one so the pops must be wrong. I was relieved when mine got holdered. The seal was only 25% intact. I thought for sure it would pop open in transit but it held strong.


  • << <i>

    << <i>

    << <i>Please do not rip. There aren't that many left. You can find a Winfield already out and slabbed in nice grade much easier than you can find those packs. >>



    Not so much. There have been a whopping 37 TOTAL graded, which gives us an idea of how rare these are. There is 1 9, 1 8.5, and 12 8's >>



    I'm fortunate to own a 9. Strange thing is Tim seems to also have one so the pops must be wrong. I was relieved when mine got holdered. The seal was only 25% intact. I thought for sure it would pop open in transit but it held strong. >>



    Would be awesome to see a scan of one of these! image
  • grote15grote15 Posts: 29,478 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>

    << <i>

    << <i>Please do not rip. There aren't that many left. You can find a Winfield already out and slabbed in nice grade much easier than you can find those packs. >>



    Not so much. There have been a whopping 37 TOTAL graded, which gives us an idea of how rare these are. There is 1 9, 1 8.5, and 12 8's >>



    I'm fortunate to own a 9. Strange thing is Tim seems to also have one so the pops must be wrong. I was relieved when mine got holdered. The seal was only 25% intact. I thought for sure it would pop open in transit but it held strong. >>



    I think he's referring to the Winfield card, John, not the OPC packs themselves.


    Collecting 1970s Topps baseball wax, rack and cello packs, as well as PCGS graded Half Cents, Large Cents, Two Cent pieces and Three Cent Silver pieces.
  • If you happen to get the packs graded and end up with a PSA 9 pack, I would certainly be a buyer if you would be interested in selling. Jason
  • ExodusExodus Posts: 348 ✭✭✭
    You will get your best cash return in grading/selling all packs.

    You will most likely get two gradeable cards (perhaps four at the most if you're lucky) out of each pack.
  • BaltimoreYankeeBaltimoreYankee Posts: 2,894 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Here's my advice: You have 9 packs. Definitely get the pack with Yaz showing graded. Out of the other 8, decide the maximum you would consider ripping in search of Winfield. If, say it's 5: Start ripping. As soon as you get Big Dave, be thankful and don't rip any more. If you don't get him in the packs you decide to rip, stick to your guns and keep the remaining packs sealed.
    Daniel
  • Send in the Yaz.

    Rip 1 pack. See how awful the centering is. Feel the burn.

    Send the rest in for grading.
  • cpamikecpamike Posts: 5,561 ✭✭✭
    Todd, you are asking the wrong guy. Send them all in for grading unless they have tears and/or loose seals.

    BTW, doesn't Yaz lead to Winfield? image
    "The woods are lovely, dark and deep.
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  • 70ToppsFanatic70ToppsFanatic Posts: 2,103 ✭✭✭✭
    11% chance that you have a Winfield in one of the packs.

    Then probably between 20%-30% chance that the Winfield (if it is there) is gradeable as a PSA 8 or better (remember you will have a wax card and a gum card
    so 2 of the eight cards in each already have a solid chance of being less than pristine). And centering is a complete unknown unless you can get an idea from seeing through the packs.

    That boils down to about a 2%-3% chance of pulling a Winfield that could grade PSA 8 or better, and I think that is still being a bit optimistic.

    IMO, given the rarity of those packs it would be a real shame to rip them for such long odds.

    Good luck with your decision.


    Dave
  • tsalems1tsalems1 Posts: 3,373 ✭✭✭
    There is no gum card. There is a team checklist in front of the regular 1974 cards.
    The gum probably is not sticking to it either.
    There will be a card with wax but odds are it will clean off easy
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  • cardcountrycardcountry Posts: 569 ✭✭✭
    I would do whatever you planned to do with them when you first purchased them. Go with your gut!

    As a side question- I don't do anything with graded packs, but if these packs are rare and they were bought from Steve, wouldn't he have graded them already if they would grade high?

    Jeff
    Jeff Foy/Dave Foy
    Card Country
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  • mknezmknez Posts: 1,991 ✭✭✭
    rip away!

    ------
    stupid print dots

  • mikliamiklia Posts: 1,295 ✭✭✭


    << <i>Send in the Yaz.

    Rip 1 pack. See how awful the centering is. Feel the burn.

    Send the rest in for grading. >>



    +1. or, if centering is good, rip away!
  • DodgerfanjohnDodgerfanjohn Posts: 489 ✭✭✭


    << <i>I would do whatever you planned to do with them when you first purchased them. Go with your gut!

    As a side question- I don't do anything with graded packs, but if these packs are rare and they were bought from Steve, wouldn't he have graded them already if they would grade high?

    Jeff >>



    It doesn't seem Steve Hart does business that way(cherry picking packs).
  • esquiresportsesquiresports Posts: 1,360 ✭✭✭
    If it's really just Winfield of bust, I agree with the math of 70sToppsFanatic. If there is also just the fun element, maybe open a pack or two to see how things look. I am willing to pay $1000 for a straight PSA 9 Aaron #1 card.

    If it were me, I'd just leave the packs alone, ungraded, unless I had a near-term desire to possibly sell them.
    Always buying 1971 OPC Baseball packs.
  • gemintgemint Posts: 6,066 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>

    << <i>

    << <i>

    << <i>Please do not rip. There aren't that many left. You can find a Winfield already out and slabbed in nice grade much easier than you can find those packs. >>



    Not so much. There have been a whopping 37 TOTAL graded, which gives us an idea of how rare these are. There is 1 9, 1 8.5, and 12 8's >>



    I'm fortunate to own a 9. Strange thing is Tim seems to also have one so the pops must be wrong. I was relieved when mine got holdered. The seal was only 25% intact. I thought for sure it would pop open in transit but it held strong. >>



    I think he's referring to the Winfield card, John, not the OPC packs themselves. >>



    Ah, that makes sense.
  • ClockworkAngelClockworkAngel Posts: 1,994 ✭✭✭


    << <i>

    << <i>I would do whatever you planned to do with them when you first purchased them. Go with your gut!

    As a side question- I don't do anything with graded packs, but if these packs are rare and they were bought from Steve, wouldn't he have graded them already if they would grade high?

    Jeff >>



    It doesn't seem Steve Hart does business that way(cherry picking packs). >>



    Steve could do a lot of things a certain way that he doesn't do. He could probably slab a PSA 10 on just about anything after cherry picking boxes, that's just not his style.

    Good feedback. I am selling a few to some other members at my cost, probably popping a couple and sending the rest in for grading.
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  • ReggieClevelandReggieCleveland Posts: 3,854 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Steve doesn't assign numerical grades to packs, he authenticates them and then PSA does the grading.
  • esquiresportsesquiresports Posts: 1,360 ✭✭✭
    I think he meant if Steve cherry-picked boxes from which he sold single packs, he could end up with PSA 10s, not that Steve has the power to assign grades.
    Always buying 1971 OPC Baseball packs.
  • waxman2745waxman2745 Posts: 717 ✭✭✭

    @lawyer05 said:
    did you rip ?

    I'm curious how this turned out as well. 1974 is a tough year (low production) due to a strike at the OPC factory.

    Adam
    buying O-Pee-Chee (OPC) baseball
  • coinspackscoinspacks Posts: 952 ✭✭✭✭
    edited January 11, 2019 9:12AM

    According to psa pack population there is one pack with yaz on back and 25 total graded.

    That means OP at least graded the yaz pack?

  • craig44craig44 Posts: 10,391 ✭✭✭✭✭

    a thread back from the dead.

    George Brett, Bobby Orr and Terry Bradshaw.

  • dontippetdontippet Posts: 2,581 ✭✭✭✭

    There is an OPC Winfield PSA 8 on ebay for $550. Or I could rip around $3,000 worth of packs and have a 2-3% chance of getting a $550 card. Just by the numbers, in order for this to make financial sense, the potential card would have to be a $120,000 card, not a $550 card.

    > [Click on this link to see my ebay listings.](https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw=&amp;_in_kw=1&amp;_ex_kw=&amp;_sacat=0&amp;_udlo=&amp;_udhi=&amp;_ftrt=901&amp;_ftrv=1&amp;_sabdlo=&amp;_sabdhi=&amp;_samilow=&amp;_samihi=&amp;_sadis=15&amp;_stpos=61611&amp;_sargn=-1&saslc=1&amp;_salic=1&amp;_fss=1&amp;_fsradio=&LH_SpecificSeller=1&amp;_saslop=1&amp;_sasl=mygirlsthree3&amp;_sop=12&amp;_dmd=1&amp;_ipg=50&amp;_fosrp=1)
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  • lawyer05lawyer05 Posts: 2,131 ✭✭✭✭

    @craig44 said:
    a thread back from the dead.

    know what i mean Vern, lol

  • lawyer05lawyer05 Posts: 2,131 ✭✭✭✭

    @dontippet said:
    There is an OPC Winfield PSA 8 on ebay for $550. Or I could rip around $3,000 worth of packs and have a 2-3% chance of getting a $550 card. Just by the numbers, in order for this to make financial sense, the potential card would have to be a $120,000 card, not a $550 card.

    so u are saying we should click on the winfield ?

  • craig44craig44 Posts: 10,391 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @lawyer05 said:

    @craig44 said:
    a thread back from the dead.

    know what i mean Vern, lol

    awesome! a man who knows Jim Varney! I was a big fan growing up.

    George Brett, Bobby Orr and Terry Bradshaw.

  • maddux69maddux69 Posts: 2,130 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Two things. First of all apparently the packs were not slabbed as there is the pop report does not show a Yaz on top pack being graded. Second of all, it looks as if the sole 8.5 Winfield bumped to a 9 as there are two 9's in the pop report currently and zero 8.5's. The pop has increased on straight 8's though with the last sale at $455.

  • grote15grote15 Posts: 29,478 ✭✭✭✭✭

    I still have my PSA 9 74 opc pack.. ;)



    Collecting 1970s Topps baseball wax, rack and cello packs, as well as PCGS graded Half Cents, Large Cents, Two Cent pieces and Three Cent Silver pieces.
  • lawyer05lawyer05 Posts: 2,131 ✭✭✭✭

    @grote15 said:
    I still have my PSA 9 74 opc pack.. ;)

    open it

  • grote15grote15 Posts: 29,478 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @lawyer05 said:

    @grote15 said:
    I still have my PSA 9 74 opc pack.. ;)

    open it

    Blasphemy!



    Collecting 1970s Topps baseball wax, rack and cello packs, as well as PCGS graded Half Cents, Large Cents, Two Cent pieces and Three Cent Silver pieces.
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