Should I cut these or leave them whole?

[hcv123]

Originally Posted by Laxcat

Found these in storage. I don't collect these. I was wondering if these have more value if I hand cut them and get them graded or just keep whole. Thanks yall.

1) I echo much of the previous sentiment about maintaining items in their "found" form. Once cut - never to be whole again. I truly do and have sold items in the past for what I knew would be less money to keep them intact.

2) That said, I also once cut a sheet to get more money from it - it was difficult to make the decision to do so - related to the statement above and it was considerably more money than I believe I would have gotten from the sheet intact - comfortable in hind sight that I made the decision - although sad that an uncut version may never be seen again.

3) Regarding your panels - I would check the sheets for stars (Like the Mays) and any short prints that might command a premium in high grade - take a look(check ebay and card target or vcp) at what grade they would have to be in to get you a significant price bump - study the cards on the sheets carefully and make a decision about the likelihood of your ability to cut the card(s) from the sheet(s) and get the needed grade. Consider that against the premium that might be gotten for the sheets. I don't know the post sets and short prints and variations that well, but I can tell you I would expect much more demand and action on the 1961 sheets (making it harder to justify cutting those)- they are much harder to come by than the 62's. Hope that helps.

[AustinMike]

Matt, I know I'm late to the party, but I do have two cents I'd like to throw in.

I, like others have voiced, think they shouldn't be cut up simply because it would be a shame to undo what has somehow survived for 50+ years.

But, I understand the monetary aspect of it, so consider the following.

I've been collecting uncut Post panels for about a dozen years now. When I first started the rule of thumb was that the complete panel was worth about twice the sum of the value of the individual cards. I've always tried not to pay more than twice the individual card values for a panel and was often able to get some for less. In the last couple of years, it seems things have changed, especially for 1963 panels (which unfortunately you don't have). It's very rare for a panel to go for less than twice the sum of the individual card values. Even panels from 1962 (which are more common than panels from 1961 or 1963) can sell for more than twice the value of the individual cards. One thing that helps the value of the panel is having the ads still on the panels, which yours have.

You should also consider that keeping the panels intact also means you would avoid the grading fees. Plus keeping the panels intact also means that you don't have to worry about cutting the cards so that they can get a numerical grade (this is especially true for the 1961 panels).

Bottom line, I think if you were to cut the panels up, you would not be able to sell the individually graded cards that you are lucky to get out of them for more than you would get for the panels.