Discussion on overhyped parallels (Genesis, Galactic, Cracked Ice, etc)

[Inferno]

Galactics are legit, if I was a basketball collector I’d be all over those. Gorgeous and rare.

[cboog3105]

genesis sells high because mosaic was the first set to release after the lockdown printing pause

so it was the first product alot of investibois got to actually rip

to them it was the rarest thing at the time so i think the hype of that stuck with alot of the new collectors in the back of their mind

anything with that mosaic swirl is butt ugly to me but hey

[Starman101]

Originally Posted by Lone Wulf

I have been wondering about some specific parallels for a while, mainly how and why they have grown to be so sought after by the hobby. Some of these have specific threads or comments in the first buzz set threads, but figured it was easier to lump them together in one topic.

Just to make things a bit easier to focus on, I am going to use Anthony Edwards as the example since he is the player I know the most about right now.

Mosaic Genesis raw versions of the true rookie are selling for over $2k. The alternate versions like NBA Debut and National Pride are like $500+. High grade PSAs of the true rookie are going for a lot (most are best offers, not sure of exact value).

Revolution Galactic last sold for $1825 in a BGS 9.5 true gem on 1/10.

Contenders Cracked Ice Auto to /25 last sold on 12/29 for $19,999 for a BGS 9.5 and raw variation sold for $9,000.

So what is the deal with these specific parallels? Is it based on history, hobby preference, something else? For 2020-21 product there are so many parallels overall and there are parallels that are serial numbered and/or have less copies than these specific parallels, so it is definitely not a scarcity situation driving these prices. For instance a Revolution Lava to /10 sold for about half as much as the Galactic in the past few months, contenders blue shimmer auto /20 went for a bit less than $4k a few days ago (card was about $2k last fall, I know because I almost got one last fall) or the SSP acetate version is anywhere from $1k-$4k based on raw or grade with guesses on print run being as low as /10 (football acetate was numbered to /10). Point is, it seems like stuff that is more rare or just a different similar parallel go for a fraction of what these very specific parallels go for. Might just be a situation of "it is what it is" and sometimes this happens in the hobby, but I was just curious what the reasoning was behind it.

Personally as a collector that buys too much I avoid these types of parallels because I can get the same card in a different parallel that looks just as good to me at a fraction of the cost. I picked up the Anthony Edwards acetate SSP contenders auto for in a PSA9 for $2k last fall, pretty sure there are less copies than the cracked ice, it is more unique and I saved $7k compared to last sale. No brainer to me personally.

Honorable mention: The prizm silver parallel. This one I understand and get, even though there are parallels that are way more rare, this is just a clean and good looking general parallel that has been consistent since the Topps Chrome refractor days. I am fine with the silver prizm situation in the hobby, it is essentially just a shiny, better (and lower pop) base card at this point. Kind of the go-to parallel in general.

Not judging anyone if they like or prefer any of the parallels mentioned, this is purely for curiosity and discussion purposes while I am bored at work. Thanks.

Parallels are sought after now to corner, manipulate, and flip for"record high prices" in auction houses like Goldin, PWCC, RE, Lelands, etc...

It started with 90s PMGs, then became prizm Golds, and now its everything serial numbered

Since the "hobby" is predominately about self serving and money now everyone jumped on the parallel bandwagon and pushed the narrative for parallels on social media for their own financial gain

I also blame Pannini producing more and more meaningless parallels by the day

People chase serial numbers more than cards in this age of artificial scarcity

When i look at a card with a serial # i question its historical importance and that alone eliminates the appeal of most parallels to me

Alot of these people holding these rare parallels of unproven players are really gonna be sorry for paying these prices

Dont fall for the buy the dip narrative either

Stay away from trends and hype is sooooo important or you will get burned

Big reason no longer a parallel guy

After a while they all look the same to me

[mc1]

Not again with the whole no one wanted PMGs until 2-3 years ago.

Genesis arent even serial numbered.

[drobfan8]

Originally Posted by tjforce

OP.. the hobby is about more than just Print Run.

Collectors gravitate towards cards they like, and it may be as simple at that.

Before I get into the examples above, I'll give another, and that's Prizm. Prizm Gold is King. They are out of 10 and have been since 2012. Yet these days, there are quite a few non 1/1 Prizm options as rare or more rare:
-Gold Shimmer /10
-Choice Green /8
-Lucky Envelope /8
-Black Gold /5
-Fast Break Neon /5
-Green Shimmer /5

But it doesn't matter. Gold sells for more than the rest because collectors like true gold and it has lineage.

Go back to your inserts above. In the case of Galactics and Cracked Ice, they both have lineage and are just plain nice looking cards (much more nice that Lava). In the case of Genesis, they are just nice looking cards.

Panini's go to these last few years is just make any crappy parallel and stamp it with a serial number (or not). In the few cases they absolutely nail it, collectors are going to chase these.

Nailed it.

My thoughts also.

Mosaic Genesis are really stunning cards. Galacitcs, whilst I don't love every design. Tick a bunch of boxes. Design, scarcity, checklist, value.

I disagree there's 400 Genesis out there.


People asked for more design from Panini. The they get it, and people post something like this complaining they don't get it. It just shows that some people truly don't understand. Haha. This is a Hobby after all.

Plain white cards with an Auto get tiring after a while

[tjforce]

Originally Posted by Starman101

Parallels are sought after now to corner, manipulate, and flip for"record high prices" in auction houses like Goldin, PWCC, RE, Lelands, etc...

It started with 90s PMGs, then became prizm Golds, and now its everything serial numbered

Since the "hobby" is predominately about self serving and money now everyone jumped on the parallel bandwagon and pushed the narrative for parallels on social media for their own financial gain

I also blame Pannini producing more and more meaningless parallels by the day

People chase serial numbers more than cards in this age of artificial scarcity

When i look at a card with a serial # i question its historical importance and that alone eliminates the appeal of most parallels to me

Alot of these people holding these rare parallels of unproven players are really gonna be sorry for paying these prices

Dont fall for the buy the dip narrative either

Stay away from trends and hype is sooooo important or you will get burned

Big reason no longer a parallel guy

After a while they all look the same to me

This is why I love Instagram...

It lets the trained eye see what the collectors are buying, and what the flippers are hoarding so that they can pump and dump.

The best Prizm Golds are being eaten up by the biggest collectors.

When I noticed that none of the flippers had any Tom Brady 2002 Topps Super Bowl MVP Ball Patch/Autos, but the biggest collectors did, I knew it made sense to overpay to get one.

On the other hand, Bol Bol, mid grade vintage, Marvel PMGs, and maybe even some Kaboom, just all were a result of hobby influencers pushing what they had to sell.

[drobfan8]

Originally Posted by mc1

Not again with the whole no one wanted PMGs until 2-3 years ago.

Genesis arent even serial numbered.

You seem to be a little emotional about the Genesis.

They are great cards. I made a comment a while ago that /100 is going to go back to being rare again for a quality card. Whilst early on it became clear these weren't /25 like some thought, /100 to /200 seems more appropriate.

Either way, when they're highly sought after because of their looks, isn't that what we want in the Hobby?

Some people seem like they'd whinge if they had an arse full of diamonds.

[mc1]

Originally Posted by drobfan8

You seem to be a little emotional about the Genesis.

They are great cards. I made a comment a while ago that /100 is going to go back to being rare again for a quality card. Whilst early on it became clear these weren't /25 like some thought, /100 to /200 seems more appropriate.

Either way, when they're highly sought after because of their looks, isn't that what we want in the Hobby?

Some people seem like they'd whinge if they had an arse full of diamonds.

As someone else mentioned, I only have a problem with people who try to claim they are sssp and /50 to /100 or so. Theyre not even /200.

They are what they are, but they arent rare.

[Bosoxfan5990]

Originally Posted by smalltown

Genesis also has the benefit of being an obtainable chase card for many new entrants to the hobby. It will have been their first big chase. People get attached to cards like that.

Won't these be the cards 10-20 years from now people who just got into the hobby or back into the hobby will be chasing at that time with potentially more money to spend, then?

Think of some of the parallels (that may not be so rare) from the late 90s that are all the rage.

[drobfan8]

Originally Posted by mc1

As someone else mentioned, I only have a problem with people who try to claim they are sssp and /50 to /100 or so. Theyre not even /200.

They are what they are, but they arent rare.

Who's still saying they're rare?

Also, how do you know there's more than /200?

[mc1]

Originally Posted by drobfan8

Who's still saying they're rare?

Also, how do you know there's more than /200?

Flippers and investors.

PSA/BGS pop reports and comparing to % graded of parallels with known print run. Its just an educated guess.

[drobfan8]

Originally Posted by mc1

Flippers and investors.

PSA/BGS pop reports and comparing to % graded of parallels with known print run. Its just an educated guess.

Oh. Of course. Those pesky flippers. It is painful.

Yeah 70 Zion's graded by PSA. I think even at /249 that number is fine for a quality card/set.

The cream always rises to the top for key cards. The blue /99 are probably the smarter buy. But the Genesis look better.

[Starman101]

Originally Posted by tjforce

This is why I love Instagram...

It lets the trained eye see what the collectors are buying, and what the flippers are hoarding so that they can pump and dump.

The best Prizm Golds are being eaten up by the biggest collectors

Then why do the same /10 Prizm Golds keep changing hands on Goldin PWCC etc every other month?

For /10s they surely show up frequently for sale

Sure dont sound like collecting

People reveal what they want to fit a narrative to make money

Thats about it

[k13]

Originally Posted by Starman101

Then why do the same /10 Prizm Golds keep changing hands on Goldin PWCC etc every other month?

For /10s they surely show up frequently for sale

Sure dont sound like collecting

People reveal what they want to fit a narrative to make money

Thats about it

I think I have like thirty prizm golds and never had to fight anyone over them.
95% bought for less than $100.

Must be just the special players selling for a lot.

[yiguiri2002]

Originally Posted by drobfan8

Nailed it.

My thoughts also.

Mosaic Genesis are really stunning cards. Galacitcs, whilst I don't love every design. Tick a bunch of boxes. Design, scarcity, checklist, value.

I disagree there's 400 Genesis out there.


People asked for more design from Panini. The they get it, and people post something like this complaining they don't get it. It just shows that some people truly don't understand. Haha. This is a Hobby after all.

Plain white cards with an Auto get tiring after a while

There might be 400 or so this year. They seem more common than last season.

[mc1]

Originally Posted by drobfan8

Oh. Of course. Those pesky flippers. It is painful.

Yeah 70 Zion's graded by PSA. I think even at /249 that number is fine for a quality card/set.

The cream always rises to the top for key cards. The blue /99 are probably the smarter buy. But the Genesis look better.

Theres 90 base Zion graded by PSA. 55 graded by BGS.

[drobfan8]

Originally Posted by yiguiri2002

There might be 400 or so this year. They seem more common than last season.

I agree. Looks like more have been printed

[ballhawkdawk]

Originally Posted by Lone Wulf

Mosaic Genesis raw versions of the true rookie are selling for over $2k. The alternate versions like NBA Debut and National Pride are like $500+. High grade PSAs of the true rookie are going for a lot (most are best offers, not sure of exact value).

Revolution Galactic last sold for $1825 in a BGS 9.5 true gem on 1/10.

Contenders Cracked Ice Auto to /25 last sold on 12/29 for $19,999 for a BGS 9.5 and raw variation sold for $9,000.

A lot of this stuff has been answered or highlighted already, including what I'm about to say, but it's pretty absurd for a raw Mosaic Genesis with a print run of over 100 to outsell a BGS 9.5 Galactic with a print run of under 25. From my vantage point, the Genesis is overpriced and Galactic underpriced.

As far as why Galactic is preferred over the /10 Lava or /8 CNY (Chinese NEw Year) gold, Galactic has been a parallel for every non auto'd Revolution card since the first release of Revolution in 15-16. Lava is a base parallel only and wasn't included until 17-18. Galactic is also considered the best looking Revolution parallel. Some say it's Galactic, some say Cosmic, some say Futura, some say Lava. Opinions are all over the place. But Galactic is numero uno for a larger chunk of collectors than any other Revolution parallel. Anything Revolution from 16-17 and after is very affordable compared to 15-16.

[bravesballer]

Hmm... player I like? Check. Cool looking card? Check. How many were made of it? Don't give a F.

[volblorx8634]

Originally Posted by tjforce

This is why I love Instagram...

It lets the trained eye see what the collectors are buying, and what the flippers are hoarding so that they can pump and dump.

The best Prizm Golds are being eaten up by the biggest collectors.

Who are the biggest collectors? What enables them to receive this designation?

[volblorx8634]

Originally Posted by bravesballer

Hmm... player I like? Check. Cool looking card? Check. How many were made of it? Don't give a F.

Amen. Nice and simple

[mc1]

Originally Posted by bravesballer

Hmm... player I like? Check. Cool looking card? Check. How many were made of it? Don't give a F.

How much it costs to buy a card a matters. Thats why it is good to have an idea of print run.

[bravesballer]

Originally Posted by mc1

How much it costs to buy a card a matters. Thats why it is good to have an idea of print run.

Either I can afford it or I can't. Michael Jordan rc's aren't numbered. No idea how many were printed. Can't afford it. Doesn't ruin my day.

[tjforce]

Originally Posted by Starman101

Then why do the same /10 Prizm Golds keep changing hands on Goldin PWCC etc every other month?

For /10s they surely show up frequently for sale

Sure dont sound like collecting

People reveal what they want to fit a narrative to make money

Thats about it

Which /10 Gold Prizms are you talking about?

It's not a 2012 LeBron Gold, because one of those haven't surfaced since Nat bought one 12 months ago.

It's not a 2012 Brady Gold, haven't had one of those get auctioned off since 2020.

There hasn't been a 2018 Luka Prizm Gold since March.

PWCC's last 2012 Kobe Prizm Gold was in 2018.

Can't even find record of a Mahomes 2017 Prizm Gold on Goldin or PWCC.

[tjforce]

Originally Posted by volblorx8634

Who are the biggest collectors? What enables them to receive this designation?

You can look at person's collection and tell whether or not they've spent years collecting rare cards of a player or if they are just new entrants looking to buy and flip when the time is right.

It's not just the person who loads up on the most popular stuff, it's the person who has had that stuff for year and is not looking to liquidate any time soon.