Quality vs. Quantity
 

It's pretty well established that many collectors who have collected for a while and aren't hardcore player or team focused collectors focus on quality over quantity and would recommend others (especially new collectors) do the same. I've been having some conversations recently that brought this question to mind: what makes a card qualify as a "quality" card? Of course, that's a subjective question, and there's no right answer. I have my own thoughts on the matter, but will refrain from sharing at the time as to avoid leading the witness. I'm interested to see (poll) and hear (posts) some thoughts. Hopefully I didn't miss an obvious option in the poll. I wish there was an option to select multiple options in the poll, but hopefully that'll come out in conversation.

I went with "set" because that generally encompasses a bunch of the other aspects as well (design, player, photography, rarity).

What makes a card a quality card is something that can connect with the 3 main "groups" in the hobby:

-Player collectors
-Set collectors
-Investors

Something like Prizm/Optic really doesn't connect all 3 in that way. A set like Exquisite does.

Once you can start figuring out the sets and subsets that connect to all 3, you have a winner. Generally the last ones in the boat are the investors, so I've found that quality sets are great value relative to other avenues within the hobby.

I voted other. It's usually a combination of characteristics. One thing i do think most "quality" cards have is a degree of difficulty obtaining them - not necessarily rarity though.

[QUOTE=smalltown;16751442] [B]One thing i do think most "quality" cards have is a degree of difficulty obtaining them - not necessarily rarity though.[/B][/QUOTE]

This is critical.

Just because a card is low numbered does not mean it’s difficult to obtain.

I can always find Lebron Golds on eBay. What I can seldom find are Lebron Galactics.

There’s levels to the chase.

[QUOTE=GeechQuest;16751473]This is critical.

Just because a card is low numbered does not mean it’s difficult to obtain.

I can always find Lebron Golds on eBay. What I can seldom find are Lebron Galactics.

There’s levels to the chase.[/QUOTE]

And it works in the reverse too. There can be tons made and it's still really hard to track it down.

I voted other. JMO, but I've held this view for over a decade now...

High quality is the combination of set & grade

These are the kinds of threads that people should pay attention to vs the random bum player hype threads.

Good info in here if you're serious about investing.

if the card doesn't say "filled with teen spirit" on it, its not high quality

[QUOTE=jcardstore;16751681]These are the kinds of threads that people should pay attention to vs the random bum player hype threads.

Good info in here if you're serious about investing.[/QUOTE]

But I was learning so much in that Talen horton tucker thread! :(

Combination of set, market value, rarity, and player. But voted Rarity

Thanks for the responses so far. I very rarely in the hobby agree with others, which is why I was intrigued by this question.

I feel that the common theme has been set (design, history, brand, etc.), lack of universal obtainability, grade.

Playing devil's advocate: does that mean a well designed Hoops insert, for example, is not considered a high quality card? Of course, it's personal opinion. But I would argue at the end of the day it's really the design of a card that makes it high quality. Whether it comes from Exquisite or Hoops, whether there's 10 or 1,000,000. I feel several low end, abundant cards outpace rarer, high-end cards in terms of design and aesthetics.

The grade is interesting consideration I hadn't thought about: highly graded cards are literally in great quality shape. Interesting perspective!

I voted set because that is usually where it starts at and then rarity would be a close second or even 1A and 1B. Of course both of those also weigh heavily on the player as well.

[QUOTE=volblorx8634;16751745]But I would argue at the end of the day it's really the design of a card that makes it high quality. [/QUOTE]

As a guy with decades in graphic design and art direction i would like nothing better than to agree with you. Sadly there are many poorly designed cards (and many other things) that outshine well designed ones.

So I think grade only matters when comparing 2 of the same card.

Set is probably #1 for me and then parallels within that set.

For example, Prizm is king in modern cards. I'd say maybe Topps Chrome before that? Anything prizm sells well especially the stuff with perceived scarcity. I'm talking about the non-numbered "case hits". There's a lot of speculation on print run but nobody really knows making them more desirable than something with a stamped serial IMO.

[QUOTE=istheskyblew;16751693]if the card doesn't say "filled with teen spirit" on it, its not high quality[/QUOTE]


Preach![IMG]https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20201214/2d1bb3b7890a253d3c45769b550e6a14.jpg[/IMG]


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Man..I'm the only one who voted for "some personal connection". I guess I am a Pisces and hopeless romantic

[QUOTE=GeechQuest;16751419]I went with "set" because that generally encompasses a bunch of the other aspects as well (design, player, photography, rarity).[/QUOTE]

Agree with this. To me, these are things that will help to define "quality" (not necessarily "market value"), and which can be found at both ends of the cost/value spectrum. Lower end and readily available cards are not necessarily low quality, just like rarer higher end cards are not necessarily high quality - in my opinion.

I went with [B]set [/B]as it could drive a few of those other factors.

[QUOTE=smalltown;16751784]As a guy with decades in graphic design and art direction i would like nothing better than to agree with you. Sadly there are many poorly designed cards (and many other things) that outshine well designed ones.[/QUOTE]

It's sad in the sense that there isn't a lot of appreciation for some incredible cards.

It's a great thing in the sense that it means there are a ton of really great cards that are still extremely affordable.

[QUOTE=jfan2024;16752000]Man..I'm the only one who voted for "some personal connection". I guess I am a Pisces and hopeless romantic[/QUOTE]

Haha it's hard because I don't think there's only "one answer" to this question for any of us. I mean, I have a personal connection to all my cards in the sense that I'm picking cards of the Kings (of which I am a fan) or other players whose game or personality I appreciate.

What I generally look for, some alignment of:
Player
Aesthetics
Rarity and/or difficulty of the chase

And tbh, I find endless parallels to be a poor substitute for rarity, as the design laziness usually outweighs any interest the rarity may hold for me.

Design design design

To me it is all about the eye appeal anymore. No longer have any memorabilia cards as I have lost faith in the honesty of the companies.

[QUOTE=GeechQuest;16751419]I went with "set" because that generally encompasses a bunch of the other aspects as well (design, player, photography, rarity).

What makes a card a quality card is something that can connect with the 3 main "groups" in the hobby:

-Player collectors
-Set collectors
-Investors

Something like Prizm/Optic really doesn't connect all 3 in that way. A set like Exquisite does.

Once you can start figuring out the sets and subsets that connect to all 3, you have a winner. Generally the last ones in the boat are the investors, so I've found that quality sets are great value relative to other avenues within the hobby.[/QUOTE]

So much wisdom in this post. Nice one.

Investors are nice, but player and set collectors are the ones that will pay increasingly crazy prices and send cards parabolic.

It's clear that today all guys care about their cards is the grade aka psa10 or bgs 9.5/10 now sgc10.