Demand is the single most important thing that contributes to price.
If it was simply supply, I'd be doing really well. But even the cards that I believe to be unique aren't particularly valuable.
I think there are three things that lead to something being really expensive.
Demand, especially for sportscards it almost has to be demand for a particular player.
It has to be slightly rare, but not so rare that most collectors don't even know it exists. There are loads of cards that are harder to find than the Wagner T206, Same for the 52 Topps Mantle. Most of them never get close to the price of either.
If there's a good story about why it's rare - wagner didn't want to advertise to kids, the 52 topps Highs were dumped in the ocean.... Even if it isn't true, that's what puts it over the top.
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