1972 Topps high numbers -- why so expensive?

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Posted By: Fred Goodwin

I know market price is a function of condition, scarcity and demand -- but really! What is driving up the asking price for these cards?

I bought my Dallas Cowboys teamset (including Staubach RC and hi #s) back in the early 80s -- I don't recall spending more than $5 for the whole batch (admittedly the centering on some of the cards isn't perfect and the condition of several is closer to EX than MT).

I'm just glad I bought them when I did -- there's no way I could put a teamset together today for a reasonable cost.

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Posted By: Ricky Y

I know what you mean. I'm still trying to build a complete ungraded set and they do bring good prices even though with
the advent of ebay its become much easier to find. Before ebay the only real source for 72 highs was Larry Frisch who bought the remaining stock from Topps. I'm sure the majority of the 72 highs floating around can be traced back to his store. I noticed that many are miscut..so those building high grade sets may place even higher premiums on the prices too. I also know even within the high numbers..certain cards are more difficult to find than others.

Rick

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Posted By: Chris Counts

I've always believed that most of the so-called rare Topps series, at least since 1967, are not as scarce as some claim. I recall seeing stacks of sharp-corned 1967 hi #s at card shows in the mid-1970s. My guess is that dealers like Fristch and others got a hold of large quantities of high #s from the late 60s and early 70s that never made it to stores, particularly on the West Coast ...