Would you rather have a low grade complete set or a high grade star card?

1954 topps · #1 09-27-2022, 12:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Snowman

For me, it's neither. I don't really like low-grade cards. I hate creases, wrinkles, tape, and stains. But I also don't really have an interest in paying for anything above a 6 grade usually. Most everything vintage that's in a 9 or 10 holder has been altered/trimmed or is way over-graded, and I just have no interest in playing that game. I want mid-grade cards with strong eye-appeal. As far as sets vs stars goes, it entirely depends on the set for me. If I love the design of the set, then I'll build it out, otherwise, I only want the key cards.

I mostly agree with this logic. I wanted to build my favorite set out in as high grade as I possibly could. Fortunately I started 10 years ago but building out a '54 Topps set in PSA 8 focused on centering turned out to be a much more expensive endeavor than I initially expected as the hobby took off. Once I'm done with this set I likely won't be building another. I'll focus on particular players so I don't have to store thousands upon thousands of cards. I believe any collector should build out at least one set in as high grade as they can. It's a journey and quite an accomplishment. It's an investment in time, money, and if done right, your set with stand apart from any other.

perezfan · #2 09-27-2022, 12:57 PM

I hate creases, wrinkles, stains and poor focus. So the low grade set is not for me. But neither is the overpriced high grade star card (which could very well be altered, despite whatever number a 3rd party has assigned).

In this poll, I would like to have seen a third option for collecting mid-grade HOFers. That option comes closest to my collecting preference.

StraightRaceCards · #3 09-27-2022, 01:06 PM

Great topic that got me thinking!

I think that while it would be nice to have a really nice high grade of a star, and certainly less space taken up, in my opinion you miss out on a lot of the fun that set building offers. Learning about obscure common players in a set and their stories has been a great way for me to learn about baseball history and appreciate the little details. I never would have explored Doc Powers, Gabby Street, or countless other stories that are overlooked.

It would be a miss for someone not to get to appreciate all that set building has to offer. I�ve loved my T206 journey. But if a collector already has built a set, then single stars of a specific set makes sense if they have experienced the joys of set building beforehand.

Zach Wheat · #4 09-27-2022, 01:23 PM

I am mainly a set collector but I have to vote with getting the high grade star card. I have started most of my sets that way and then finishing out the set with the HOF'ers, commons and variations. I think it makes it easier to finish a set when you have the star cards first

Rad_Hazard · #5 09-27-2022, 01:50 PM

I wish there was a "low grade star card" option lol. I don't have the space or want for sets and I like the star cards but I tend to go for the cheapest, nicest looking, and best centered copy that I can find which ends up being anywhere from a 1-5 usually.

Snowman · #6 09-27-2022, 02:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1954 topps

I mostly agree with this logic. I wanted to build my favorite set out in as high grade as I possibly could. Fortunately I started 10 years ago but building out a '54 Topps set in PSA 8 focused on centering turned out to be a much more expensive endeavor than I initially expected as the hobby took off. Once I'm done with this set I likely won't be building another. I'll focus on particular players so I don't have to store thousands upon thousands of cards. I believe any collector should build out at least one set in as high grade as they can. It's a journey and quite an accomplishment. It's an investment in time, money, and if done right, your set with stand apart from any other.

That's such a great set! I'm building a 54 Topps set as well. Or rather, I'm upgrading my 54 Topps set, as it's already "complete". I'm building a perfectly centered set, which is extremely difficult to do, but I'm about 95% finished. I only have a few more random commons to find dead centered. I'll try to post pics of the set once it's done. It really is fun to see this set all together in the way that they intended the cards to look. My conditions vary from VG-EX to NM-MT, but all are dead-centered with no creases or wrinkles or any other eye sores.

JackR · #7 09-29-2022, 09:11 PM

Through buying, selling, and trading over the last 35 years, I�ve worked my way down from 4000+ cards to about 80 high end graded cards. At this rate, I�ll wind up with a collection of one Super Card.

Casey2296 · #8 09-29-2022, 09:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JackR

Through buying, selling, and trading over the last 35 years, I�ve worked my way down from 4000+ cards to about 80 high end graded cards. At this rate, I�ll wind up with a collection of one Super Card.

I endorse this message.

sycks22 · #9 09-29-2022, 09:21 PM

1 Great card

Casey2296 · #10 09-29-2022, 09:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sycks22

1 Great card

1914 Texas Tommy Joe Jackson

mattsey9 · #11 09-29-2022, 10:10 PM

Low grade complete set for me. The thrill for me is in the chase.

Vegas Cards · #12 10-01-2022, 02:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JackR

Through buying, selling, and trading over the last 35 years, I’ve worked my way down from 4000+ cards to about 80 high end graded cards. At this rate, I’ll wind up with a collection of one Super Card.

You've inspired me. I've had about 40 cards from my 1965 Topps set out to be graded for a year and a half as part of a group sub here. Now that I'm getting them back, I'm realizing I only really want a handful of the HOF players. I think I'm going to sell my 1965 set and then replace the cards I want long-term in decent enough condition to live with.

MVSNYC · #13 10-01-2022, 07:01 PM

1 great/special card over a low grade set for me. I�ve never been a set builder.

LEHR · #14 10-02-2022, 01:56 PM

I voted for the high grade Gehrig over the low grade complete set.

I made the conscious decision around 2015'ish to pursue quality over quantity and have never regretted it. Now my collection only takes up 1/5th the space, is easier to store/sort/display/catalog, has better eye appeal (IMO), is easier to resale.
I'm still in my 40's but as I age the desire to own everything is greatly diminished.

View Poll Results: Complete low grade set or high grade star card from the same set?
Complete low grade set	101	44.30%
High grade star card from the same set	127	55.70%
Voters: 228. You may not vote on this poll

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
A few high grade star cards	mightyq	1960-1979 Baseball Cards B/S/T	0	03-25-2022 09:46 PM
SOLD - High grade 1961 nu card scoops complete set of 80	hcv123	1960-1979 Baseball Cards B/S/T	2	02-24-2022 10:25 AM
Star card sale- all years, nice mix...high grade..	mightyq	1960-1979 Baseball Cards B/S/T	0	05-21-2021 09:55 AM
Looking for ULTRA HIGH GRADE Complete & Near Complete Sets PAYING TOP DOLLAR	Sean1125	1950 to 1959 Baseball cards- B/S/T	47	11-04-2014 06:07 PM
high grade psa star cards--take a look	mightyq	1950 to 1959 Baseball cards- B/S/T	14	09-17-2014 10:41 AM