1990 Leaf Frank Thomas and other Rookie cards of this era.........

[mchenrycards]

Here is a question that was sparked from another message board I thought I would throw out here.

I am seeing Frank Thomas Leaf rookie PSA 10's going for around 50 bucks with 9's for around twenty bucks (give or take a buck or two). The question for me is would investing the extra 30 bucks in a 10 be worth the investment or is this card about topped out at that price?

I have not done much investigating but I assume other rookie cards of this era are falling into the same boat. Is there any point in investing in the higher grade if there is no hope of any increased value down the road?

Looking for others thoughts on this subject.

 

[BBCgalaxee]

I'd personally stay away from all cards from this period as an investment.

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[SINFULONE]

I think they have topped out too.

 

[bodisurfa]

I think his '90 Leaf has topped out, plus they're are a ton of his '90 Leaf in a PSA 10 (2,000+). Pre HOF induction, his RC's took a spike and now it's settling back down. His '90 Leaf in a BGS 10 easily took in a $1k, but it's since dropped in the $800 area...

 

[MansGame]

I'd personally stay away from all cards from this period as an investment.

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This.

Not to mention if you're looking at a card from the '90s which is $50, probably not really an investment at this point or much upside IMO. Especially if it is graded a 10, which arguably means it is about the best you'll get for said card at this time.

 

[smapdi]

In the early 90s, the 90L Frank Thomas was $60, and sold fast at that price. That was, of course, before slabbing. If PSA 10s are less than that now, I'd find something else to invest in. The only things that might go up long term would be a BGS 10 but that depends on population more than anything.

 

[gt2590]

No Sosa, Palmiero or A-Rod, I don't think they're ever "coming back" in price.

But mostly go by the Pop reports, those percentages decide the price of RCs more than anything...

 

[sportscardtheory]

The 1990 O-Pee-Chee Thomas rookie is a far better investment IMO. Same with most junk era OPC rookies.

 

[mchenrycards]

Perhaps I can explain myself a bit better here. I have had a number of sets I have been working on over the years. '89 Upper Deck, '84 Donruss and '90 Leaf are but three of the sets I just stopped working on. I wanted to purchase the key cards in graded form but at the time they were more than I wanted to pay so I just put them away. I recently dug these sets out and was curious how much graded versions of the key cards would run me as I knew the prices took a large hit from the last time I looked. I was a bit surprised how cheap the gem mint versions were going for and thought I might go after the 10's instead of the 9's if there was any real upside to them. I knew making any future money on the gem versions would be a tough thing to do but I thought I would throw it out there to get opinions on it. I am not really looking for investment so to speak but if it was worth the effort to step up to the higher grade for minimal cost I would entertain the idea. Such as the previously mentioned Sosa Leaf rookie. A 9 can be had for 8-15 bucks while a 10 can be had for around 20. In this case it might be worth it to pay the extra few bucks but I know there would be no future gains if I did. I would like to complete these sets as I originally intended but just was wondering if the additional costs for the higher grade was even worth the time.

 

[ASTROBURN]

I would get the 10. You wont be happy with the 9 knowing there is a grade higher available.

 

[AmishDave]

I would get the 10. You wont be happy with the 9 knowing there is a grade higher available.

This.

At some point, that PSA 10 '90 Leaf Thomas will be in my collection as well.

 

[Joey_peapod]

For resale in the future I think you are always better off with a 10. If I purchase a card graded a 9 I personally break it out of the case since I would rather have a raw card. Most people look at a 9 and raw as the same. Get the 10.

 

[goobmcnasty]

Wow. I remember when the ungraded Leaf Thomas RCs would sell for $100+.

This makes me want to go buy a PSA 10. Not for investment, but just to have one. If you are "investing" in cards, expecting a return, you are going to be disappointed in 20 years.