Posted By:
Eric BrehmI know some of you guys hate it when PSA statistics get quoted (yes I know they can be misleading because more valuable cards are more likely to get slabbed and so on), but:
1963 Topps Pete Rose in NM 7: population 564, SMR value 725 (rookie)
1964 Topps Pete Rose in NM 7: population 340, SMR value 200 (second card)
1954 Topps Hank Aaron in NM 7: population 286, SMR value 1250 (rookie)
1955 Topps Hank Aaron in NM 7: population 371, SMR value 350 (second card)
I don't think scarcity is driving the price premium on those rookie cards.
In Rose's case, the second year 1964 card is much more desirable aesthetically IMO (it has a nice portrait of him instead of the tiny little head that appears with the other three players on the 1963) and it even says "All-Star Rookie" on it. Still, the rookie card commands more than 3 and a half times the price.