Yesterday, I was on here talking about holding out on overpriced cards based on BV percentages, and today, I acquire 3 key purchases to advance my vintage baseball collection.
My first--and most important--acquisition today was a 1968 Topps #177 Nolan Ryan RC. This card completes my run of Topps baseball card sets from 1968-present. I am now officially focused primarily on the 1967 Topps set (-22 cards). Big relief. This also knocks out my biggest collecting goal for 2018 (Merry Christmas). The total cost was $82.99 with shipping, or 14%-17% BV depending on how you look at it. I thought the card was worth $600, but I'm seeing current price guides list it at $500. Did the value drop over the past few years? Anyways here's a link to the ebay listing:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/1968-Topps-177-Nolan-Ryan-Rookie-card-RC-VG-/401463356069?_trksid=p2047675.l2557&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&nma=true&si=5SLqctez8iddMFai9b4VcwoqP78%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc
Let me explain why I chose this card. First, I don't collect graded cards. This card has to go into a binder page with the rest of my set. That means that I don't want there to be any doubt to me or others that this card is real--either now, or in the future. There are so many fake Nolan Ryan RC's out there that I had to be carefull which one I chose to represent my collection. Even though centering is very important to me, I couldn't have a perfectly cut and centered Nolan Ryan card that wasn't graded. This one is off-centered and slightly diamond-cut. It is appropriately dirty for a handled card of its age. The focus is good, but the coloring is worn with print spots, making its authenticity less questionable. Of course, I will still have to inspect the card once it arrives, but I'm pretty sure that I've got an easily recognizeable authentic card. That's why I chose this card.
My 2nd acquisition today was a 1962 Topps #572, which brings me to within 1 card of completing the set.
My 3rd acquisition today was a 1970 Topps Johnny Bench poster insert to complete that set.