What’s the best modern era RC to invest in?

[jwillgrails]

Hey guys,

So... I rejoined the hobby about two years ago but haven’t really spent much money on Panini products. Most of my PC is pre-Panini. I love Trae Young and decided to pick up a couple of nice Trae’s as a starting point since he’s my new guy.

Anyway, I’m trying to understand the hype behind Prizm base RCs?

I’ve seen a few people load up on Prizm (i.e. fill a binder) to flip. I still think Trae is somewhat undervalued and wouldn’t mind buying up a few base as an investment alongside some nicer PC cards.

But I’m still learning about the modern era hobby. Personally I am drawn so much more to his Court Kings RC. I love the design of these cards so much. Do these have any credibility or reputation as investments?

https://www.picclickimg.com/d/l400/pict/293402245791_/2018-19-Panini-Court-Kings-Basketball-Trae-young-Rookie.jpg

What is the best base RC to invest in and why? Is Prizm the clear cut No.1?

[ballhawkdawk]

Prizm base and Prizm Silver are number one. The Optic base and Optic Holos are also pretty safe at this point. There are a lot of really nice Trae cards out there that don't get the same love because the masses haven't been told to buy them. If you like Court Kings, which is often really nice, then buy Court Kings. Some of his different Chronicles cards are pretty neat. Revolution and Select are also options, but aren't hobby staples the way Prizm is and to a lesser degree Optic.

I personally feel like Prizm flat out sucks and you'd be left bored with a PC of Prizm cards, but if investment is your thing, I think Prizm base and Prizm Silver are probably the safest bets, followed by Optic, followed by lower print Revolution parallels.

This is assuming you don't want to go high end. NT RPA is another bore ass card that people gobble up for some reason, but that's another safe bet if you want to go that route.

[Harper]

Unnumbered Base cards aren’t going to retain value long term. I wouldn’t hoard masses of base cards. Look at Shaq, Grant Hill, Penny, Kemp, Iverson, Vince Carter, and Kobe cards from the 90s. Base cards from topps, upper deck, fleer, skybox etc are almost all worth less than the S&H costs. Maybe with high end products like e-xl, chrome, or finest there is some value, but cards are so mass produced now and there are so many numbered alternatives that unnumbered stuff can not stand the test of time unless it is ssp like level IV court kings or galactics

I didn’t realize how mass produced prizm was until I was at nationals. It was like 25% of the cards there. Prizm base rookies are going to be as valuable as 1990-96 nba hoops cards in 15 years

[phdbeckett]

Other than the slightly forgettable 2010 draft, and the double class of 2012-13, Court kings has been around as long as Prizm in terms of releases. If you like them, then go for them! 2009 are sticker autos though, so they might not fit with the rest of the pack.

[bberns]

If you are really looking to invest, just buy one card -- the nicest one that you can afford and then enjoy looking at it. You've saved yourself storage and hassle and when you go to sell, the consignment fees will be lower.

Speaking from experience, flipping through 100 PSA 10s of the same card is not fun. Looking at one sweet card actually is.

[ThoseBackPages]

Lebron

[ThoseBackPages]

Unnumbered Base cards aren’t going to retain value long term. I wouldn’t hoard masses of base cards. Look at Shaq, Grant Hill, Penny, Kemp, Iverson, Vince Carter, and Kobe cards from the 90s. Base cards from topps, upper deck, fleer, skybox etc are almost all worth less than the S&H costs. Maybe with high end products like e-xl, chrome, or finest there is some value, but cards are so mass produced now and there are so many numbered alternatives that unnumbered stuff can not stand the test of time unless it is ssp like level IV court kings or galactics

I didn’t realize how mass produced prizm was until I was at nationals. It was like 25% of the cards there. Prizm base rookies are going to be as valuable as 1990-96 nba hoops cards in 15 years

how are Lebron Topps Chromes doing?

[Luni]

how are Lebron Topps Chromes doing?

Just give it time... Soon enough the landfills will be overflowing with them.

[cardmole]

Lebron

Beat me to it. Everybody else is more like gambling.

[Harper]

how are Lebron Topps Chromes doing?

I said the topps chrome, finest, e-xl etc do ok, didn’t I? These were higher end, shorter printed sets. My point was that prizm and current panini products are so mass produced that I don’t see any base card duplicating their success. There are probably 100,000 base prizm rookies. The supply will always outpace the demand in 20 years time at those rates.

[deemsterz33]

His Contenders Optic autos are pretty darn undervalued imo.

[ThoseBackPages]

I said the topps chrome, finest, e-xl etc do ok, didn’t I? These were higher end, shorter printed sets. My point was that prizm and current panini products are so mass produced that I don’t see any base card duplicating their success. There are probably 100,000 base prizm rookies. The supply will always outpace the demand in 20 years time at those rates.

Topps Chrome was a $3/pack product. same as Prizm.

are they making more Prizm then TC? Debatable

point being... for the many, not the few.

do i think its "wise" to "go all in on base rc's?" No i do not, but i dont think anyone should do anything but collect what makes them happy

[KeenanRIVALS]

I mean, look at Giannis... look at Luka. Hell look at Brandon Ingram. That will pretty much tell you what the market decision is. Court Kings looks nice and it's prob far more limited than Prizm, especially the parallels, but the market is the market. If Trae does well there's a shot that all his cards will increase as well.

Right now, Prizm is king, followed by Optic (if 18-19) and National Treasures/Immaculate are options if the player isn't high profiled. Everything else is gambling...

For me, the idea of owning a Prizm Silver rookie is less fun, I'm kind of bored with them, but at the same time, the idea of owning a Stephen Curry Topps Chrome Refractor seems absolutely amazing... so yeah, basically I don't know.