TOP 10 ICONIC ‘ALL SPORTS’ CARDS 1970 – PRESENT

[CubsfanP]

Frank Thomas NNOF?

 

[MOFNY]

I'm surprised that on all of these type of threads there hasn't been mention of any Barry Bonds cards.

 

[uniquebaseballcards]

...Just a side note…

I found it hard to bump anyone off the list with a card post 1993. This is not to say there were not any cards in the last 19 years that did not deserve consideration but rather none were iconic enough (in my opinion) to dethrone what I have listed. This, to me, begs the question ‘can there ever be another iconic card in the making’?

-matfanofold

Not sure if you had an answer to your question here in mind or not, but not uncoincidentally around 1993 is when the number of sets produced really started to explode. The more of something there is, the less interesting - and thus less iconic - something becomes to the general masses.

 

[matfanofold]

Great list, and nice write-up! Can't really argue with any of your picks. Just wondering, did the '88 Gregg Jefferies Donruss make it near the top? Maybe an even better discussion would be the next 10 cards on the list after the top 10.

As a life long Mets fan, and a huge Jefferies collector (back in the day) I would love nothing more to say that the 88' Jefferies card was in consideration! However, it was not. Sure it had a lot of hype and saw some decent prices for a year or so, but in my opinion it never even whiffed iconic status. A great card that brings back memories for me though!

 

[matfanofold]

Not sure if you had an answer to your question here in mind or not, but not uncoincidentally around 1993 is when the number of sets produced really started to explode. The more of something there is, the less interesting - and thus less iconic - something becomes to the general masses.

Yeah, I think your on to something here...

 

[matfanofold]

I'm surprised that on all of these type of threads there hasn't been mention of any Barry Bonds cards.

Which Bonds card(s) do you consider of the iconic nature?

 

[matfanofold]

Frank Thomas NNOF?

If I were doing a 1970 - present baseball only list, to lets say 20, I am sure it would have gotten its due consideration. But without actually fleshing it out I can not say for sure it would make it.

 

[matfanofold]

Lebron James 2003-04 exquisite auto

Very rare & valuable for sure!

I'm just not so sure it is an "iconic" card, as in a card that showcases and speaks for/to the hobby as a whole.

 

[matfanofold]

Great list, but the Pujols Chrome Auto needs to be there!
Especially since moving forward the hobby has gone chrome and Auto crazy.
So when the question pops up, who is the first sure-shot hall of famer with an Autographed (and numbered) Rc it is Albert.

I mentioned earlier in the thread that this card was one of 3 that I hated to leave off the list, but I have little doubt it would have made the top 10 all baseball 1970 - present list.

 

[cubfanbudman]

I don't think there ever was an iconic Bonds card.

 

[ThoseBackPages]

I don't think there ever was an iconic Bonds card.

1987 Fleer

 

[matfanofold]

1987 Fleer

Certainly his most sought after and expensive base RC card, I just do not think they ever really reached iconic status...

 

[jbhofmann]

Very rare & valuable for sure!

I'm just not so sure it is an "iconic" card, as in a card that showcases and speaks for/to the hobby as a whole.

It cemented the idea that people will pay $500 for a pack of cards. It's easily the most important card in the past 10 years. When you think of Basketball, Football, and Hockey RCs, you think Exquisite/Cup Patch Autos. If that set had failed, I doubt we would have seen another iconic card, Crosby's The Cup.

 

[cubfanbudman]

1987 Fleer

Not iconic. Like matfanofold says his most sought after but not a must have card

 

[Eric Davis 44 Magnum]

This topic will vary depending on the stages of collecting you are on or in other words if you grew up in the 80's craze like I did 84 donruss mattingly still creates excitement or the 89 ud Griffey. These cards have held up over time but it is also hard to not discount the impact of the 86 donruss canseco had. Almost every year in Beckett these cards still get some face time on their impact on the hobby. I bet if you look at most collectors on this board that there is an 84 donruss mattingly, 82 Topps Ripken, 86 donruss canseco, 89 ud Griffey, 87 fleer glossy bonds, 85 Topps McGwire in their collections. These cards are in our collections because they are freakin awesome!