1992 Upper Deck Shaquille O'Neal #1 vs #1b

[HarryLime]

I completely understand why #1 is favored over #1b. What I need help on is the massive difference these last few months have created between the two.

If memory serves, in PSA 10, #1 used to be ~$500 and #1b used to be around $350. Maybe it was $700 and $450. But it was in that range. Now it's $2500 and $500?

They're both very difficult 10s (3.8% vs 4.6%) and there are actually fewer #1b 10s than #1 -- 224 to 306.

What caused #1 to practically quadruple while #1b inched up a bit?

Arthur

[thenwhatjk]

Hot take, the trade card is the cooler one anyways

[Willikn]

What caused #1 to practically quadruple while #1b inched up a bit?



Arthur

Nothing logical. Best guess is that most buyers understand only that #1 doesn't have a "b" next it. If people knew that the "b" was the first release and not some Hummer toy knockoff, the gap would narrow.



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[mc1]

Redemption/Trade card vs pack-inserted

What do you mean no logic?

[thenwhatjk]

Redemption/Trade card vs pack-inserted

What do you mean no logic?

Also hottest thing in the world at the time vs total afterthought in series 2

[HarryLime]

Also hottest thing in the world at the time vs total afterthought in series 2

They were probably released around the same time. Shaq #1 is in Series 2 so between sending in the series 1 redemptions and waiting for them and waiting for series 2 they pretty much converged all at once. The redemption was meant to get a Shaq card out as soon as he signed as opposed to have everyone wait until series 2.

I swear Upper Deck mailed them in Ultra Pro 2's, too (the smaller size that you have to cram a card into).

Arthur

[LeonfromNC]

They were probably released around the same time. Shaq #1 is in Series 2 so between sending in the series 1 redemptions and waiting for them and waiting for series 2 they pretty much converged all at once. The redemption was meant to get a Shaq card out as soon as he signed as opposed to have everyone wait until series 2.

I swear Upper Deck mailed them in Ultra Pro 2's, too (the smaller size that you have to cram a card into).

Arthur

They did. I remember getting mine that way.

[Willikn]

Redemption/Trade card vs pack-inserted

What do you mean no logic?

I know we've beaten this horse to death, but the whole "pack pulled" versus redemption thing doesn't hold water. Mahomes redemption (x)RC destroys its pack pulled counterparts. LeBron Inspirations beats other pack pulled /499 RCs. Most important, a redemption that is a packed pulled single, only available via packs, is a whole lot like pack pulled. Not like were are talking, "send in five proofs of purchase" here.

There has never been a situation like Shaq with the odd Classic exclusive until 1/1/1993, so no possible apples to apples. I still feel very comfortable saying that most buyers of the #1 over #1b don't fully understand the origin.

Best argument could be, #1 is a much harder pull than the #1b redemption, which is true. Population now though matters more. The #1b is lesser in high grade and there won't be more of them pulled now.

[Willikn]

They did. I remember getting mine that way.

Yep. I mailed in five (cause I was a gangster), and all five had at least one jacked up corner.

[HarryLime]

The #1b is lesser in high grade and there won't be more of them pulled now.

This is a good point and one I hadn't considered before. The #1s are still available to be pulled. What's out there for #1b is all there is.

If I'm dropping $2500 I'm buying five #1b cards instead of one #1.

Arthur

[orion9578]

I remember this card well and at least here locally, the trade card was the one everyone wanted. Small shop with maybe 5 to 10 regulars. I was 14 so I didnt have much money and remember having to save up to finally get one from the shop owner. Just sent that card in last month with jewcer. Thinking a 9 but hoping for the miracle 10. All that said, my preference is for the memory. So, 1b for me. Fun topic!

[Gary]

They were probably released around the same time. Shaq #1 is in Series 2 so between sending in the series 1 redemptions and waiting for them and waiting for series 2 they pretty much converged all at once. The redemption was meant to get a Shaq card out as soon as he signed as opposed to have everyone wait until series 2.

I swear Upper Deck mailed them in Ultra Pro 2's, too (the smaller size that you have to cram a card into).

Arthur


you swear correctly,I was pissed when i got my cards in the mail,half of them had banged up corners.Best one graded SGC 96.The damaged ones i threw away,they were so bad.

[Willikn]

I hypothesized that the biggest reason for the draft card getting the most love now is because it carries the #1 while the Trade's #1b appears to be supplemental to it. In reality, the #1b label exists because #1a exists as part of the checklist too. There are three versions of the card in PSA's checklist (four if you consider a hole punched copy legit, which I don't).

If labeled in order, the redemption card would be "a", the trade "b" and the draft "c". If that draft card had a "1c" on the label of a PSA slab, would it still outsell the slightly lesser and finite in population "b"? Can't just be irony that the draft card became dominant once PSA slabs became the industry standard.