Since 2001 has there been an 'iconic' card...?

[Topnotchsy]

I disagree, if those cards are not iconic by this point, they will never ever reach that status.

You could definitely be right, but it was years before the Pujols RC Auto became an iconic card. As mentioned, the player has to become iconic for the card to follow, but if any of those players do (outside of the Cano maybe who it may be too late for) the cards have a shot IMO.

 

[jofinn36]

Could Harper's Buyback be one?

 

[jcmint]

2009 bc trout.

 

[jofinn36]

09 Trout maybe. If it is we will see the first real color variation prices for a iconic card.

 

[ThoseBackPages]

.

 

[wickedliquids]

Great question!

89 UD Griffey was iconic from the get-go.

The Pujols BC auto was iconic 4 or 5 years after the fact.

To find another player like Griffey may take awhile - the closest is Trout and I don't think you'll find too many to argue that. He didn't start off that way, but in his rookie season, Trout has just killed it, exceeding many peoples expectations.

Harper is still too young and not as experienced in the MLB level to make a decision. IF he had shot out of the gates from the start, I'm sure the story would be different, but he didn't and he hasn't. I'm hoping for a Jeter or Rodriguez like career for the dude, but the fact of the matter is, he's starting off like Kevin Maas, Todd Van Poppel, Jerome Walton-type of heat as a player (yes, I know Van Popple was a pitcher - but you get the point).

When you look at the type of players in the minors now, you have, since 2009, some amazing potential. From 2009 to 2012, I strongly believe you have a Griffey, Pujols, Braun, Longoria, Verlander, etc, etc, type of players in the making.....

If you were to ask about PER DECADE....well, that's an entirely different thread...........

 

[predatorkj]

I don't like the idea of an iconic card being a card nobody can really afford. That's like calling a Lambo an iconic car. While it's nice, you can't really call it an icon because most of the world doesn't have the money for one. There is a reason the Mantle and the Griffey are iconic. I would go as far as arguing that even the 01 Pujols isn't iconic because there is only 500 copies. Sure a lot of us couldn't afford the Mantle now, but plenty of people could at one time. Ever since the Pujols was out, it's been what? A $100 card at the least. Now it's worth what? Yeah, I don't see that as iconic. Obviously your base and lower tier cards aren't considered iconic anymore because of the mega parallel craze. So I'd vote that there simply isn't one anymore. The whole aspect of 1/1 autos and stuff of that nature has killed it.

I might be wrong though. It's just my opinion of course. I'd also consider the Nolan Ryan rookie and the Michael Jordan rookie iconic yet few can afford those (though the Ryan is a lot cheaper).

 

[predatorkj]

Great question!

89 UD Griffey was iconic from the get-go.

The Pujols BC auto was iconic 4 or 5 years after the fact.

To find another player like Griffey may take awhile - the closest is Trout and I don't think you'll find too many to argue that. He didn't start off that way, but in his rookie season, Trout has just killed it, exceeding many peoples expectations.

Harper is still too young and not as experienced in the MLB level to make a decision. IF he had shot out of the gates from the start, I'm sure the story would be different, but he didn't and he hasn't. I'm hoping for a Jeter or Rodriguez like career for the dude, but the fact of the matter is, he's starting off like Kevin Maas, Todd Van Poppel, Jerome Walton-type of heat as a player (yes, I know Van Popple was a pitcher - but you get the point).

When you look at the type of players in the minors now, you have, since 2009, some amazing potential. From 2009 to 2012, I strongly believe you have a Griffey, Pujols, Braun, Longoria, Verlander, etc, etc, type of players in the making.....

If you were to ask about PER DECADE....well, that's an entirely different thread...........

I could see the 93 sp Jeter, or the 94 sp A-rod being iconic. Jeter and A-rod have been hot from the get go. And they are still affordable.

 

[DeliciousBacon]

If the average collector can't see a card in their head when it's mentioned, then it can't be an iconic card. The Strasburg Super may get there some day, but other that that, there hasn't been one since Pujols and there most likely won't be.

 

[Gonzaleznut]

List of the post-1960 cards within the 300 most iconic cards of the 20th century from the Mike Payne book. These cards are iconic.

Although I thing the Strasburg is a great card, for a card to be iconic it has to have been around for more than two years.

YEAR DESCRIPTION PLAYER(S) CARD #

• 1960 Fleer Ted Williams 72
  1960 Topps Carl Yastrzemski 148
  1960 Topps Mickey Mantle AS 563
  1960 Topps Willie McCovey 316
  1961 Topps "Babe Ruth Hits 60th Homer" 401
  1961 Topps "Larsen Pitches Perfect Game" 402
  1961 Topps Billy Williams 141
  1961 Topps Roger Maris 2
  1962 Post Roger Maris 6
  1962 Topps "Gehrig and Ruth" 140
  1962 Topps "Manager's Dream" Mantle/Mays 18
  1962 Topps "Maris Blasts 61st" 313
  1962 Topps Joe Torre 218
  1962 Topps Lou Brock 387
  1962 Topps Mickey Mantle 200
  1962 Topps Roger Maris 1
  1962 Topps Willie Mays 300
  1963 Topps 1963 Rookie Stars (Pete Rose) 537
  1963 Topps Stan Musial 250
  1964 Topps "Tops in NL" Aaron/Mays 423
  1964 Topps Casey Stengel 324
  1965 Topps "Mantle's Clutch HR" 134
  1965 Topps Athletics Rookies (Jim Hunter) 526
  1965 Topps Cards Rookies (Steve Carlton) 477
  1965 Topps Houston Rookies (Joe Morgan) 16
  1966 Topps Jim Palmer 126
  1966 Topps Roger Maris 365
  1966 Topps Sandy Koufax 100
  1966 Topps Willie Mays 1
  1967 Topps AL Rookie Stars (Rod Carew) 569
  1967 Topps Mets Rookies (Tom Seaver) 581
  1967 Topps Mickey Mantle 150
  1967 Topps Whitey Ford 5
  1968 Topps Bob Gibson 100
  1968 Topps Denny McLain 40
  1968 Topps Mets Rookies (Nolan Ryan) 177
  1968 Topps Reds Rookies (Johnny Bench) 247
  1969 Topps "1968 World Series Game 1" Bob Gibson 162
  1969 Topps Johnny Bench 95
  1969 Topps Mickey Mantle (White Letter) 500b
  1969 Topps Nolan Ryan 533
  1969 Topps Reggie Jackson 260
  1969 Topps Ted Williams 650
  1969 Topps Tom Seaver 480
  1970 Kellog's Roberto Clemente 27
  1970 Topps "Ryan Saves the Day" 197
  1970 Topps Hank Aaron 500
  1970 Topps Johnny Bench 660
  1970 Topps Roberto Clemente 350
  1970 Topps Yankees Rookie Stars (Thurman Munson) 189
  1971 Topps Ernie Banks 525
  1971 Topps Steve Garvey 341
  1971 Topps Thurman Munson 5
  1972 Topps Red Sox Rookie Stars (Carlton Fisk) 79
  1972 Topps Steve Carlton 751
  1973 Topps Nolan Ryan 220
  1973 Topps Roberto Clemente 50
  1973 Topps Rookie Third Basemen (Mike Schmidt) 615
  1973 Topps Willie Mays 305
  1974 Topps Dave Winfield 456
  1974 Topps Frank Robinson 55
  1974 Topps Hank Aaron 1
  1974 Topps Mike Schmidt 283
  1974 Topps Nolan Ryan 20
  1974 Topps Willie McCovey (Nat'l Lea.) 250B
  1975 Topps "Aaron Sets Homer Mark" 1
  1975 Topps "Ryan Fans 300 - 3rd Year in Row" 5
  1975 Topps George Brett 228
  1975 Topps Harmon Killebrew 640
  1975 Topps Herb Washington 407
  1975 Topps Robin Yount 223
  1976 Topps George Brett 19
  1976 Topps Hank Aaron 550
  1976 Topps Kurt Bevacqua "Bubble Gum Blowing Champ" 564
  1976 Topps Traded Oscar Gamble 74T
  1977 Topps Mark Fidrych 265
  1977 Topps Rookies Catchers (Dale Murphy) 476
  1977 Topps Rookies Outfielders (Andre Dawson) 473
  1978 Topps Eddie Murray 36
  1978 Topps Rooke Shortstops (Paul Molitor and Alan Trammell) 707
  1979 Topps Nolan Ryan 115
  1979 Topps Ozzie Smith 116
  1979 Topps Paul Molitor 24
  1979 Topps Thurman Munson 310
  1980 Topps George Brett 450
  1980 Topps Rickey Henderson 482
  1981 Donruss "Best Hillers" George Brett/Rod Carew 537
  1981 Donruss Tim Raines 538
  1981 Topps Dodgers Future Stars (Fernando Valenzuela) 302
  1982 Donruss Cal Ripken Jr. 405
  1982 Fleer Cal Ripken Jr. 176
  1982 Topps Baltimore Orioles Future Stars (Cal Ripken Jr.) 21
  1982 Topps Traded Cal Ripken Jr. 98T
  1982 Topps Traded Ozzie Smith 109T
  1983 Fleer Tony Gwynn 360
  1983 Topps Ryne Sandberg 83
  1983 Topps Tony Gwynn 482
  1983 Topps Wade Boggs 498
  1984 Donruss Don Mattingly 248
  1984 Fleer Update Dwight Gooden U43
  1984 Fleer Update Kirby Puckett U93
  1984 Fleer Update Roger Clemens U27
  1985 Donruss Roger Clemens 273
  1985 Donruss Tom Seaver 424
  1985 Fleer Roger Clemens 155
  1985 Topps Mark McGwire 401
  1985 Topps Roger Clemens 181
  1986 Donruss Jose Canseco 39
  1986 Fleer All-Stars Cal Ripken Jr. 5
  1986 Topps Traded Jose Canseco 20T
  1987 Donruss Greg Maddux 36
  1987 Donruss Mark McGwire 46
  1987 Fleer Barry Bonds 604
  1987 Fleer Update Greg Maddux U68
  1987 Fleer Update Mark McGwire U76
  1988 Score Rookie/Traded Roberto Alomar 105T
  1989 Donruss Ken Griffey Jr. 33
  1989 Donruss Baseball's Best Sammy Sosa 324
  1989 Fleer Ken Griffey Jr. 548
  1989 Score Rookie/Traded Ken Griffey Jr. 100T
  1989 Upper Deck "World Series" Kirk Gibson 666
  1989 Upper Deck Ken Griffey Jr. 1
  1989 Upper Deck Mark McGwire 300
  1989 Upper Deck Randy Johnson 25
  1990 Leaf Frank Thomas 300
  1990 Leaf Sammy Sosa 220
  1990 Score Bo Jackson 697
  1990 Topps Frank Thomas 414
  1990 Upper Deck Reggie Jackson Autograph AU1
  1991 Bowman Chipper Jones 569
  1991 Bowman Ivan Rodriguez 272
  1991 Stadium Club Jeff Bagwell 388
  1991 Topps Chipper Jones 333
  1991 Ultra Update Juan Gonzalez 55
  1992 Bowman Mike Piazza 461
  1992 Fleer Update Mike Piazza 92
  1992 Score Joe DiMaggio Autograph NNO
  1992 Topps Traded Nomar Garciaparra 39T
  1993 SP Derek Jeter 279
  1994 Collector's Choice Michael Jordan 661
  1994 SP Alex Rodriguez 15
  1994 Upper Deck Ken Griffey Jr./Mickey Mantle Autograph GM1
  1996 Leaf Signature Series Sammy Sosa Autograph NNO
  1996 Topps Mickey Mantle 7
  1997 Upper Deck Ken Griffey Jr. Game Jersey GJ1
  1998 Pacific In the Cage Mark McGwire 13
  1999 Topps Mark McGwire (Home Run #70) 220
  1999 Upper Deck A Piece of History Babe Ruth Game Used Bat NNO
  1999 Upper Deck Century Legends Jimmie Foxx 500 Club Bat NNO

 

[morgoth]

First of all i disagree with many of the choices in Mike Paynes book. For example the 1991 Topps Chipper is not Iconic, the Desert Shield copy is freakin iconic.

Anyway, the main problem with newer cards and memorabillia cards is scarcity. To me a card cannot be iconic unless people can actually own it. 1/1 Jersey cards and Superfractors thus are not iconic as they are just high priced god cards that only 1 person on the planet can obtain.

I think the 2001 BC Pujols Auto is about as scarce as you can go and be called Iconic. I think in the future base bowman chrome autos will be the norm for Iconic cards like the 2009 Mike Trout BC Auto.

Another thing to think of is how PSA sets up it's registry sets. HOF RC sets and other competitve sets really bring out the big guns in terms of price. If PSA starts listing BC rookies autos into its registry sets for HOF RCs it will cause PSA graded copies of these cards to skyrocket.

 

[jbhofmann]

People were running scams for the 2010 Bowman Strasburg! Photoshopped scams to get paypal payments. If that doesn't make a card iconic, then none are.

2012 Photoshop scams=1990's counterfeit scams

 

[JoshHamilton]

2008 UD 16/U USA Bryce Harper patch/auto

 

[rehmus]

It's interesting to me that so many people are averse to the idea that the qualifications for "iconic" might change over time.

I might write about this thread for my next thing on the FCB homepage.

 

[RiceLynnEvans75]

I could see the 93 sp Jeter, or the 94 sp A-rod being iconic. Jeter and A-rod have been hot from the get go. And they are still affordable.

These are the same two, more so the Jeter, that came to my mind post '89 UD. Other than that, I can't really think of a card I'd call "iconic". Though the Pujols Bowman Chrome is a nice card, I just can't put it up there at that status.

 

[Gonzaleznut]

I agree with you that there are a few cards on his list that would not qualify as "iconic" to me, but it is still a pretty good list. I am trying to get PSA versions for all of them as there is a set registry for them and it is really expensive.

One card that I am surprised is not on his list is the Billy Ripken '89 Fleer.

First of all i disagree with many of the choices in Mike Paynes book. For example the 1991 Topps Chipper is not Iconic, the Desert Shield copy is freakin iconic.

Anyway, the main problem with newer cards and memorabillia cards is scarcity. To me a card cannot be iconic unless people can actually own it. 1/1 Jersey cards and Superfractors thus are not iconic as they are just high priced god cards that only 1 person on the planet can obtain.

I think the 2001 BC Pujols Auto is about as scarce as you can go and be called Iconic. I think in the future base bowman chrome autos will be the norm for Iconic cards like the 2009 Mike Trout BC Auto.

Another thing to think of is how PSA sets up it's registry sets. HOF RC sets and other competitve sets really bring out the big guns in terms of price. If PSA starts listing BC rookies autos into its registry sets for HOF RCs it will cause PSA graded copies of these cards to skyrocket.

 

[rehmus]

I agree with you that there are a few cards on his list that would not qualify as "iconic" to me, but it is still a pretty good list. I am trying to get PSA versions for all of them as there is a set registry for them and it is really expensive.

One card that I am surprised is not on his list is the Billy Ripken '89 Fleer.

1. That's an awesome project to attempt.
2. Thank you for posting this list - I hadn't seen it before
3. 100% agree on the Billy Ripken

 

[uniquebaseballcards]

These are the same two, more so the Jeter, that came to my mind post '89 UD. Other than that, I can't really think of a card I'd call "iconic". Though the Pujols Bowman Chrome is a nice card, I just can't put it up there at that status.

One interesting (or perhaps odd) thing about the '01 BC Pujols is that the card isn't emblematic or even representative of Bowman - because Pujols was already in the MLB when the card was issued... same with the Ichiro for that matter.

 

[VandyDan]

UD 500 Club Bat cards
1997 UD Jersey cards (first relic cards, super hard to get, still get a premium)
2010 Strasburg Auto
2011 Bowman Chrome Harper auto (whether or not he lives up to the hype, he's still a player that will be long-remembered, and the card will reflect a very strong and particular zeitgeist).

Admittedly, I wasn't collecting between 2000 and 2009, so I'm ignorant to those years. That said, to me a card is iconic if it evokes a strong collective memory of a moment. Those two Bowman cards evoke serious prospecting, card buying and hype. Whether either ever play another game, people in the hobby (even casually in the hobby) will be able to picture those cards and 'remember when...'.

I think too many folks are confusing iconic with valuable.

 

[Gonzaleznut]

I think too many folks are confusing iconic with valuable.

Amen brother. Value has very little to do with a card being iconic or not.