The most grossly overrated card of all time...

jason.1969 · #1 12-09-2014, 12:46 PM

I will go in a different direction here and avoid choosing a single card. Rather, I will go with Rookie Cards in general as the most overrated in the hobby--at least to me.

If the world were ending tomorrow and I would never have the chance to sell or trade cards again, I would take nearly ANY Willie Mays/Hank Aaron over any rookie card issued after 1954. And I would certainly take the 1976 All-Star Rookie cards of Rice and Lynn over their true 1975 multi-player RCs. Ditto for '69 Ryan vs '68, '68 Seaver vs. '67, Carew, Bench, etc.

bn2cardz · #2 12-09-2014, 01:10 PM

I think Mantle cards in general are overrated when you use Mays as the standard since he and Mantle correlated very well. Mays '51 Rookie goes for aprox 50% of a 51 Mantle is the same grade.

Whether you debate that Mantle was better than Mays or vice versa they were equal enough to cause the debate in the first place yet the prices of the cards don't reflect that.

brian1961 · #3 12-09-2014, 01:36 PM

..."lips that speak knowledge are a rare jewel."

Jason, I'm right there with you on the grossly overrated status of rookie cards.

After 10-15 years of the organized adult hobby (69-84), collectors started to enjoy and hence created the category of rookie card collecting. Dealers immediately sensed this, and were naturally more than willing to jack up their current prices for rookie cards. I mean, they were plum pleased to take advantage of the situation. As they marked up the prices, collectors just assumed that meant they really were more important, which was kinda stupid. The only exception was the argument of Mickey Mantle's rookie card.

Those who owned the Bowman could never convince the owners of the '52 Topps which card was more significant. If they had just shut up and been content that the 51 Bowman was naturally important in and of itself, regardless of which one was recognized as the official rookie. But no, they wanted all the marbles. Truth will out, collectors love them both, but the 52 Topps is the most significant and valuable of the two. ---Brian Powell

Peter_Spaeth · #4 12-09-2014, 02:23 PM

71 Munson. Second year card of a non HOFer. Please.

Peter_Spaeth · #5 12-09-2014, 02:26 PM

PS 51B Mantle is a smallish card with not much eye appeal to commend it and a relatively unattractive image. It has picked up recently, but I don't see it ever approaching the 52T with good reason.

GregC · #6 12-10-2014, 08:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

PS 51B Mantle is a smallish card with not much eye appeal to commend it and a relatively unattractive image. It has picked up recently, but I don't see it ever approaching the 52T with good reason.

I agree that the 51B will never touch the 52T but strongly disagree on the opinion that it lacks eye appeal. The pose, blue sky and clouds, the random telephone pole in the background...such an idyllic image. IMO it is grossly underrated.

bn2cardz · #7 12-10-2014, 08:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GregC

I agree that the 51B will never touch the 52T but strongly disagree on the opinion that it lacks eye appeal. The pose, blue sky and clouds, the random telephone pole in the background...such an idyllic image. IMO it is grossly underrated.

I actually prefer the 51 and 52 bowman. I know I will always be in the minority on that, and I may still never own them because when it comes to spending that amount of money I find prewar cards I still prefer.

I do agree that no Mantle (or even any post war card) will take down the 52 Topps Mantle in regards to popularity. It is an iconic card, whether I agree with the reasons or not.

rats60 · #8 12-09-2014, 01:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jason.1969

I will go in a different direction here and avoid choosing a single card. Rather, I will go with Rookie Cards in general as the most overrated in the hobby--at least to me.

If the world were ending tomorrow and I would never have the chance to sell or trade cards again, I would take nearly ANY Willie Mays/Hank Aaron over any rookie card issued after 1954. And I would certainly take the 1976 All-Star Rookie cards of Rice and Lynn over their true 1975 multi-player RCs. Ditto for '69 Ryan vs '68, '68 Seaver vs. '67, Carew, Bench, etc.

This is a good point. Although I'd disagree with you on a high # RC like Seaver or Clemente, but 1970 Bench should be his most expensive card rather than the more plentiful 1968. Same for Ryan.

Along similar lines, the 61 Mantle AS card is much more difficult than most of his regular cards.

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