Factors (beyond the obvious) that drive T206 card values

[brianp-beme]

Originally Posted by ullmandds

Fomo

All I know is that many collectors seem to fomo at the mouth upon seeing certain T206 cards.

Brian

[Harford20]

My T206 collection is low-grade (PSA/SGC 1-3 range with an occasional 4). Trying to complete my HOF collection is getting costly. Even PSA/SGC 1 HOF card that are not mangled may be upwards of $200, and can be well over $275-325 for a PSA/SGC 2. I have gone back to looking for raw HOF cards that I can afford (or at least get a PSA/SGC 1 equiv) for <$150 with the hope and prayer that someday I can again afford grading them.
Dave

[Nufced62]

The rare and scarce backs seem to be keeping their interest and value, but I have seen a descrease in price paid for commons recently. Feel free to correct that if you see it differently.

Also, I am interesting in finding a list of value multipliers for rare and scare backs. Can anyone suggest a link? Thank you.

[Exhibitman]

I've heard people who collect and sell commons say that they are down lately. I don't know. The HOFers certainly seem to be doing well. I am having a hard time pulling the trigger on the last two portraits I need (Wallace and Huggins) because in my mind they are still $75 cards.

[Aquarian Sports Cards]

Mustaches and looking like Beavis or Butthead...

[abothebear]

Not my area of expertise, but all the reasons mentioned so far seem appropriate. Another interesting factor might be that they aren’t rare (or are the right label of rarity). It sounds counter intuitive that something less rare would be more valuable, but combined with the other factors mentioned, their availability means that there are many collectors. And because they are a known quantity with a known market, even non-T206-collectors will know the cards and the market and will readily grab a T206 at the right price (you see a similar thing with top traded stocks). They have all the ingredients to become a market unto its own.

[skelly423]

Originally Posted by abothebear

Not my area of expertise, but all the reasons mentioned so far seem appropriate. Another interesting factor might be that they aren’t rare (or are the right label of rarity). It sounds counter intuitive that something less rare would be more valuable, but combined with the other factors mentioned, their availability means that there are many collectors. And because they are a known quantity with a known market, even non-T206-collectors will know the cards and the market and will readily grab a T206 at the right price (you see a similar thing with top traded stocks). They have all the ingredients to become a market unto its own.

I think you’ve nailed the reason for the appeal of the set (and the same logic can be applied to 1952 Topps and 1933 Goudey). There’s a sweet spot somewhere between too scarce (I think of the E94s) and too plentiful (anything after 1972). With a few exceptions, any given card can be found regularly, but not so regularly that the market is flooded. Going through the exercise of assembling the set takes time, work, and money. That experience brings great satisfaction for those who succeed. Add in beautiful aesthetics and design, along with some iconic players/images and you’ve got the ingredients for a set that will always be in demand. Naturally, that demand will drive prices ever higher.