Great perspectives here Brian. It’s important to be circumspect in this hobby, and consider the broad spectrum of different collecting & investing philosophies out there. ESPECIALLY the ones we generally disagree with. One general strategy I always try to employ with my collection: always try for EITHER an uncommon card OR an uncommon grade. If you can get both.. even better. In the case of a prewar Ruth.. the card is already so uncommon and special that the numerical grade is less important. Similarly, a very scarce PMG is special on its own regardless of the grade. In the case of a 1989 Topps Randy Johnson, you almost NEED a PSA 10 in my view because the card is SO common. Also, these types of cards are still quite affordable in 10’s. Great food for thought!
That’s a great point, Iconic Al! I hadn’t really thought about it specifically in that way, but I really like how you break it down like that. It makes a LOT of sense when you phrase it that way, and I think subconsciously I sort of follow that guideline by default to some degree.
I appreciate a good devil's advocate video. Additionally, it is always great to consider why someone has a different perspective than yourself. Often, as collectors, we get into a rut of 'this is the way I collect and why would anyone do anything different.' Soapbox time. I don't like the phrase devil's advocate. I think what you are really doing is understanding someone else's perspective. Maybe even learning some compassion for them. Although, I understand me not liking the phrase 'devil's advocate' is hypocritical of what I just said. I guess I need to be more open and understanding of people's phrase choices
Brian, I give this video a 🔟! Great points! I do buy 10's for the few modern cards I collect, most notably when perhaps a "10" is $40, but a "9" is $25; something like that. I get that "grade scarcity" and at least potential for a higher percentage increase in value at a relatively small price differential. Or, at the very least, the "10" might be a bit easier to move than the "9" down the road. Anyway, this is my current TEN-dency! Oh man, the po-TEN-tial for puns is causing me to ex-TEN'd the lenth of this comment! 🤣🤣👊👊Happy New Year, my collecting brother! 😊👊
😂😂😂 Awesome puns, Adam! I agree, a 9 for $25 vs a 10 for $40… the 10 makes sense there. And again, it’s not like that difference in cash is gone forever, it’s just parked in a slightly more expensive vehicle! Have a great collecting New Year!!
Sometimes 10’s are the way to go. Period. Sometimes they are out of whack or out of budget. But I have bought some for barely over grading cost. Why buy a 9 at that point?
Makes sense to me! I have a 1990 Score Frank Thomas rookie that is gorgeous and might be a 10… but the Gems sell for like $30… so even with the best case scenario which isn’t even guaranteed, it would just barely be worth it. Factoring in taxes and shipping, it’s actually -EV. Even some HOF rookies aren’t financially viable to grade even if and when they get 10s!
@@jaymedorr4119 There is something satisfying about getting the highest possible grade for a card - one that is essentially “perfect”. Speaking of “Gem Mint”, do you feel the same way about BGS 9.5s that you do PSA 10s? I’d be curious to know.
@ Yep! I have a Big Unit 89 Topps Traded BGS 9.5 that was about $20 - $25 and a Palmiero 87 Donruss rated rookie BGS 9.5 that was about $10. It’s sad when to make a card like that financially worthwhile to grade, it needs to get a BGS 10 / Black Label! 😂😭
Great video HighPop. Your timing couldn’t have been better because I currently have several PSA 10 cards of Barry Bonds listed on eBay. Hopefully your video will encourage bidders to acquire these rare pieces. Love, Dad
There you go! Unintentional, but timely! 😂😂😂 There really ARE legit reasons for getting into 10s, and I don’t often discuss them much because that’s not how I typically collect. However, that doesn’t make that collecting philosophy any less valid. I hope your auctions do well, dad!
The problem with older PSA 10 slabs is many in the hobby feel they graded easier back then. In fact, all older PSA slabs are suffering from this narrative. I notice now on eBay that older PSA slabs sell for less next to a newer PSA slab with the same grade. It is magnified even more with older PSA 10’s because they carry that premium price. That’s why i think older PSA 10 slabs may really take a hit if the perception is that if they were graded today, chances are they wouldn’t get a 10. The perception of the slab in 10-15 should be the biggest fear for any collector. Look at what happened to BGS 9.5 and how they have dropped. I’m just playing devil’s advocate in terns of buying the card not the grade.
It’s not even a perception - it’s reality! I mentioned how the centering tolerances for 10s have tightened up compared to how they graded a while back, but so have other parameters! For bigger cards in older slabs, I think paying the $12 reholdering fee is 💯 worth it. As for BGS 9.5s… as Beckett is not the hobby leader, let alone the value leader, I kept this video specifically focused on where the value currently resides - with the PSA 10s. Personally, I think now is a GREAT time to get into BGS 9.5s, especially older Beckett slabs with the subgrades on the back. They were grading tougher then, and the quality of cards sitting in those slabs for the price they’re currently commanding - it’s a value that can’t be beat! Thanks for watching and commenting, Chris!
I just get 10 in ultra modern and everything else grade i can afford on vintage side . Awesome episode like always!
Yeah, for ultra modern it really is 10 or bust. I still can’t wrap my head around 9s being cheaper than ungraded. Thanks for watching, Sven!
Great perspectives here Brian. It’s important to be circumspect in this hobby, and consider the broad spectrum of different collecting & investing philosophies out there. ESPECIALLY the ones we generally disagree with.
One general strategy I always try to employ with my collection: always try for EITHER an uncommon card OR an uncommon grade. If you can get both.. even better. In the case of a prewar Ruth.. the card is already so uncommon and special that the numerical grade is less important. Similarly, a very scarce PMG is special on its own regardless of the grade. In the case of a 1989 Topps Randy Johnson, you almost NEED a PSA 10 in my view because the card is SO common. Also, these types of cards are still quite affordable in 10’s.
Great food for thought!
That’s a great point, Iconic Al! I hadn’t really thought about it specifically in that way, but I really like how you break it down like that. It makes a LOT of sense when you phrase it that way, and I think subconsciously I sort of follow that guideline by default to some degree.
I appreciate a good devil's advocate video. Additionally, it is always great to consider why someone has a different perspective than yourself. Often, as collectors, we get into a rut of 'this is the way I collect and why would anyone do anything different.'
Soapbox time. I don't like the phrase devil's advocate. I think what you are really doing is understanding someone else's perspective. Maybe even learning some compassion for them. Although, I understand me not liking the phrase 'devil's advocate' is hypocritical of what I just said. I guess I need to be more open and understanding of people's phrase choices
I love it! That’s EXACTLY why I wanted to explore putting on someone else’s “hobby shoes” and walking a mile or two while wearing them! Thanks, Allen!
Interesting video, Brian. I like 10s when they aren't incredibly expensive!
Agreed! Some of the few I’ve picked up have been “high-pop wax” era ones that were under $30, so basically the cost of grading. Good point, Billy!
Brian, I give this video a 🔟! Great points! I do buy 10's for the few modern cards I collect, most notably when perhaps a "10" is $40, but a "9" is $25; something like that. I get that "grade scarcity" and at least potential for a higher percentage increase in value at a relatively small price differential. Or, at the very least, the "10" might be a bit easier to move than the "9" down the road. Anyway, this is my current TEN-dency! Oh man, the po-TEN-tial for puns is causing me to ex-TEN'd the lenth of this comment! 🤣🤣👊👊Happy New Year, my collecting brother! 😊👊
😂😂😂
Awesome puns, Adam! I agree, a 9 for $25 vs a 10 for $40… the 10 makes sense there. And again, it’s not like that difference in cash is gone forever, it’s just parked in a slightly more expensive vehicle! Have a great collecting New Year!!
Sometimes 10’s are the way to go. Period. Sometimes they are out of whack or out of budget. But I have bought some for barely over grading cost. Why buy a 9 at that point?
Makes sense to me! I have a 1990 Score Frank Thomas rookie that is gorgeous and might be a 10… but the Gems sell for like $30… so even with the best case scenario which isn’t even guaranteed, it would just barely be worth it. Factoring in taxes and shipping, it’s actually -EV. Even some HOF rookies aren’t financially viable to grade even if and when they get 10s!
@ Right! Buying those 10’s makes sense, but submitting for those 10’s does not! At all 😂
@@brentrichardsbaseballcardsa gem copy is a gem copy. I enjoy my PSA 10’s.
@@jaymedorr4119 There is something satisfying about getting the highest possible grade for a card - one that is essentially “perfect”. Speaking of “Gem Mint”, do you feel the same way about BGS 9.5s that you do PSA 10s? I’d be curious to know.
@ Yep! I have a Big Unit 89 Topps Traded BGS 9.5 that was about $20 - $25 and a Palmiero 87 Donruss rated rookie BGS 9.5 that was about $10. It’s sad when to make a card like that financially worthwhile to grade, it needs to get a BGS 10 / Black Label! 😂😭
Great video HighPop. Your timing couldn’t have been better because I currently have several PSA 10 cards of Barry Bonds listed on eBay. Hopefully your video will encourage bidders to acquire these rare pieces. Love, Dad
There you go! Unintentional, but timely! 😂😂😂 There really ARE legit reasons for getting into 10s, and I don’t often discuss them much because that’s not how I typically collect. However, that doesn’t make that collecting philosophy any less valid. I hope your auctions do well, dad!
The problem with older PSA 10 slabs is many in the hobby feel they graded easier back then. In fact, all older PSA slabs are suffering from this narrative. I notice now on eBay that older PSA slabs sell for less next to a newer PSA slab with the same grade. It is magnified even more with older PSA 10’s because they carry that premium price. That’s why i think older PSA 10 slabs may really take a hit if the perception is that if they were graded today, chances are they wouldn’t get a 10. The perception of the slab in 10-15 should be the biggest fear for any collector. Look at what happened to BGS 9.5 and how they have dropped. I’m just playing devil’s advocate in terns of buying the card not the grade.
It’s not even a perception - it’s reality! I mentioned how the centering tolerances for 10s have tightened up compared to how they graded a while back, but so have other parameters! For bigger cards in older slabs, I think paying the $12 reholdering fee is 💯 worth it.
As for BGS 9.5s… as Beckett is not the hobby leader, let alone the value leader, I kept this video specifically focused on where the value currently resides - with the PSA 10s. Personally, I think now is a GREAT time to get into BGS 9.5s, especially older Beckett slabs with the subgrades on the back. They were grading tougher then, and the quality of cards sitting in those slabs for the price they’re currently commanding - it’s a value that can’t be beat!
Thanks for watching and commenting, Chris!
Gave a video like. Fun video, Brian. Keep up the great videos.
I had fun representing the other side here! Thanks for watching!
Sometime 10s hit late 20's 30's and drop to a 9😂
😂
I am a 10 snob myself.
There’s no shame in that! And instead of “snob”, how about, “high standards”? 😂
Thanks for watching and not unsubscribing to me before now!