Crusade set or 96 Certified Mirror Set?

[cubuffs13]

While browsing ebay I noticed a seller had posted two different hard to find sets of 3 of Arod. One being the Crusade Red, Purple and Green. The other being the 96 Certified Mirror Gold, Red and Blues. It got me thinking, if I had the money which would I rather have. I'm leaning more towards the Crusades but the Mirrors from 96 are more scarce. To all you 90's collectors with a player in both sets, which would you choose?

 

[The Third Eye]

1993 Finest Refractor

But between the two...Crusade.

 

[beefycheddar]

Crusades for me.

 

[George_Calfas]

Mirrors

 

[1st4040]

why have to make such an impossible choice??

and for good measure the other rare totally certified platinum

 

[ThoseBackPages]

Mirrors for me

 

[Mozzie22]

mirrors

 

[uniquebaseballcards]

Crusades because:
1. Red Crusades are more rare than Mirror Golds
2. Crusades look nicer
3. Crusades are serial numbered
4. The sets the Crusades are in (Donruss, Leaf, R&S) are more important/meaningful than the set the Mirrors are from - Select.

 

[pootshwan]

It's close but I'd go with the Crusade set

 

[joey12508]

there both very cool.

 

[Gwynn545]

Great topic! I can definitely see both ways, and I like to see "why" people choose if it's more than just "looks better"...
Mine is easily the mirrors. The gold mirror has been at the top of my want list since they came out (and finally got it this year!). The blue and red mirrors are just as stunning in hand. The mirrors just represent something special to me. Not sure why, but maybe it's the rare parallel of a base card aspect, compared to Crusades being inserts...Maybe because it was 1996 and before collecting got really, REALLY hard! I have been waiting to post this picture:

 

[ripken2131_8]

I'd take either. It's like asking would you rather have a Lambo or a Ferrari!

 

[James52411]

Do you like parallels or inserts?

 

[clarkfan]

That's a real tough question and for most super collectors, either would be a milestone addition to their collection. I'd choose the Crusades. Only because of the difficulty in obtaining the Red version. Finding Green's and the occasional Purple isn't too hard to do, but you'll go years before a red surfaces of a specific player. But I love the Mirror's too. Fun topic, but I personally give the Crusades a narrow victory.

 

[1st4040]

It was much harder for me to obtain the Mirror Gold than the Crusade red and it cost me more than double what I paid for the Red. I bought the only Mirror I've ever seen for sale but I've had at least 3 chances at the Red in the past 4 years or so. The set hoarders definately make either card much more difficult. As for eye appeal I think the red is a better card but it has alot to do with what picture of the player is on the card as well.

 

[ThoseBackPages]

i will add that scans dont really do Mirror Golds justice.

 

[gracecollector]

Both are nice, but definitely I'm a Crusader. I like inserts over rainbow parallels. In hand, the Crusades have more pop. Always liked the medieval theme and how it was executed. And there's more mystery to the Crusade set (with unreleased prototypes, and executive collection). The mirrors are just a scarce parallel of an uninspired design in varying colors.

 

[katieneack]

For me it would definitely be the mirrors. I still need the Crusade Red and the Mirror Gold, but I think I would pay twice as much to get the Mirror Gold as I would for the Crusade Red. Not sure why, I guess it just has that "Holy Grail" feel for me. It has always been at the top of my want list since it was released.

 

[TopOffLikeWALLACE]

Lots of mirrors were backdoored so they're not as rare as you think. Crusade for sure.

 

[ThoseBackPages]

Lots of mirrors were backdoored so they're not as rare as you think. Crusade for sure.

96 Gold Mirrors?

Disagreed.