Can only buy 1 high Grade Clemens - what’s your choice??

[Belfast1933]

So, let’s assume you can only pick one of the following high-end Roger Clemens for your collection - which do YOU think retains its value better?

1984 Fleer Update PSA 9 Clemens

Or

1985 Donruss PSA 10 Clemens

I never buy 10’s... but since both of these are about equal cost now, trying to decide which is the better purchase.

Thx for input... I rarely buy newer cards and thought some crowd-sourcing input from experienced modern card collectors might help clear up my choice

Jeff

[bnorth]

Originally Posted by Belfast1933

So, let’s assume you can only pick one of the following high-end Roger Clemens for your collection - which do YOU think retains its value better?

1984 Fleer Update PSA 9 Clemens

Or

1985 Donruss PSA 10 Clemens

I never buy 10’s... but since both of these are about equal cost now, trying to decide which is the better purchase.

Thx for input... I rarely buy newer cards and thought some crowd-sourcing input from experienced modern card collectors might help clear up my choice

Jeff

From those 2 I would pick the 84 Fleer Update. If I could truly only have one high grade Clemens it would be the TCMA Pawtucket card.

[gustomania]

I would also pick fleer of those two

But I would much rather have a 1985 Tiffany PSA 9. I believe there is only a total of 14-1500 graded and 300 ish in PSA 9 and around 50 PSA 10

Fleer has approx 5200 graded with 2400 ish in PSA 9 and approx 500 psa 10....just my 2 cents

[hockeyhockey]

Originally Posted by bnorth

If I could truly only have one high grade Clemens it would be the TCMA Pawtucket card.

seconded. ben is a smart guy

[Econteachert205]

Here’s another opinion because it’s sometimes hard for me to stay in the parameters of the debate. I really like his tcma rookie and think it’s a good value. I also like the 84 update and that would be my vote otherwise.


Just noticed ben felt the same. Lol. I have two of every Clemens rookie and am always hunting for more at the right price.

[Bigdaddy]

There is another thread in this section that takes a stab at card production numbers over the years by various brands.

For the 1984 Fleer Update, they have production estimated at 12,000.

For the 1985 Donruss, production is estimated at 450,000.

Edited to add:
The 1985 Topps Tiffany production run is estimated at 5,000.

I would take the Fleer of the two from the OP's question. Might also consider the Tiffany, but I don't know what one is going for. I really don't understand the premium on a '10' over a '9', given the fact that you cannot distinguish the difference without the aid of magnification. It's just the TPGs creating artificial scarcity via their subjective grading IMHO.

[Peter_Spaeth]

The Fleer Update is his RC. End of discussion.

[bigfanNY]

I agree with last post. Fleer Update is what most in Hobby think of when asked "what is Clemen's rookie card. So 84 Fleer over 85 Donruss all day..every day. Jmho

[Zach Wheat]

I agree with Ben above - would pick the 84 Fleer Update. Outside of these choices my preference would be for an 85 Topps Tiffany - always liked that set.

Z

[Belfast1933]

Thx for the advice, all... took your advice and just bought a nice 84 FU (that acronym always makes me laugh) from a fellow N54er, great and easy transaction

Thx again...

Jeff