What is your T206 "Sweet Spot"?

[philliesphan]

6 generally equals strong corners, good color and centering, but a notion of honest wear.

I very rarely see Ex-MT T206 cards that disappoint me from a condition perspective [the vagaries of professional grading is another matter...]

[shaunsteig]

Seems to be two possible questions here. If you're talking about which grade holds the most eye appeal, I'd say 6 or 7 -- there's too many 5s out there with scuff marks, scratches, or significant corner wear. 6s, by and large, are when the cards turn really nice. 7s are where you need to make some effort to find flaws, but they carry a major price premium.

But if you're talking about trying to complete the set, I'd say 4s. Little price increase over 3s (for commons that is), and by and large you're talking about an intact card without major creases or major corner defects. It's a whole card, so to speak. You could probably find some real nice 3s with a good degree of selection and effort though.

By and large, I'm aiming for 4s for building my set, but if there's a card that I'm particularly fond of (eg a particular team, player, or picture's aesthetic), then I'd go for that one in a 6.

--S

[llafoe]

I agree with both of you... 6 is also my "target" grade.

I collect Backs and of the 44 in my team set, only 12 are available with a grade of 6 or higher; 29 are available with a grade of 3/4 or higher.

I think a set of 4s would be obtainable and would be presentable. 6s would be more presentable but less obtainable (with an average checkbook). It looks like the average 4 is around $50 and the average 6 is around $200... I think I'll concentrate on 4s for the Monster set and 6s for our specialty sets.

[jp1216]

1 - means well loved and afforable. I like the stamps and 'character' - but best of all - the cheap price...

[bcbgcbrcb]

Wouldn't everyone go with the "9" if they could?

[freakhappy]

I agree with what everyone is saying so far. It seems like common sense to say that the set in mint 9 condition would be the best (and probably so), but cards this old with the history that they hold, I believe that mid-grade would be my favorite and most appealing. Reason being because I like the fact you can see the age and wear and still appreciate it...but that's just me.

Don't get me wrong, I love the sharp looking near mint T206's and maybe one reason I choose the mid-grade is because I could never afford the higher grades. But I sure have grown to love the low to mid examples