The27Guy’s Official High-End Anthony Davis discussion thread

[the27guy]

I know, I know, there are lots of AD threads out there. In the past couple months I have received 8-10 emails from people asking my opinions on high end Anthony Davis cards, and this has heated up in the past 7-10 days. Most of you likely do not care at all about what I think about high-end AD cards. Why would you? But for those select few of you who are interested please enjoy the following book that I am writing during my lunch break.

I’ll start by saying that I am still actively buying and selling AD, but I already have most of the key cards so I think I’m fairly unbiased here. Am I unbiased when it comes to AD vs other players? Heavens no! He’s one of my favorite players! Am I unbiased when it comes to comparing his cards? I think so as I own most of them, including all of the high end cards worthy of note with the exception of the Prizm Gold /10 rookie, which I’m not paying $3k for.

So without further ado, I give you the official AD High End discussion thread. I’ll cover a few items worthy of note in detail, but please feel free to comment/argue/agree below. I have no problem with all that.

WHAT IS THE AD ROOKIE CARD THAT YOU HAVE TO HAVE?

Unfortunately, there isn’t a clear answer to this question. Lebron had the Exquisite RPA. Kobe had the Chrome Refractor. Durant was more difficult, but it was clear that as long as it included the word “exquisite” in the title, you were on the right track. The best answer here is, it depends on what you like.

The most expensive selling true AD rookie is the Flawless base card. It’s numbered to 20, and has a diamond in it. Pundits have called the diamond “tacky” and “gimmickee” while defenders of the card have argued that the diamond is not what creates the value of the card. It’s the rarest base set ever made, and thus the rarest true rookie cards ever made. Since the end of the 2012-13 season this card has consistently sold for more than it’s “competitors” for best True rookie.

Having said that, it’s not an “RPA” (rookie Patch Auto). Many collectors have come to the conclusion that the rarest and largest patch RPA is the best RC. For those collectors, there is still a dilemma.

The National Treasures (NT) RPA is in my opinion the best looking RPA of Davis. The patch window is large and the card is really clean. The quality of patch varies greatly. There are some very weak and some very nice patches.
Sadly, we’ve seen instances where patches on this card have been altered. Some have speculated that Austin Rivers patches have been switched out for Anthony Davis Patches. This is a cause for concern to the collector because unless you can see a video of the card being pulled, there is no way to know for sure if the patch is legit—and when the patch strength varies so greatly, this is clearly a MASSIVE concern.

The NT rookie is serial numbered to 199.

The other true rookie RPA is Immaculate. The true Immaculate RC features a vertical design with lots of color and some very nice gold foil. The patch window is smaller than National Treasures. The card is significantly more sensitive as well. It’s clear that Panini did a very poor job packaging Immaculate, and this shows unfortunately in the cards. The card is serial numbered to 99.

So which is better? NT or Immaculate? I don’t know—but I am confident that it’s not an easy question. Simply stated, I think Panini screwed up. There should be a clear cut best RPA, and for Anthony Davis, I don’t think there is. Upper Deck had it right when they made 99 exquisite cards and 299 SPA rookie cards of Durant. Both were RPA’s. Both were very nice. But the card with the larger patch window was also the rarer card, exquisite. We knew what the best RPA was. With Davis, we’ll debate it forever.

For me, rarity has always and will always win so I give the edge to Immaculate. Additionally, the more consistent quality of patch lends itself to fewer people switching out patches. Sadly, the patch fakers have influenced the hobby. A card is not always what it seems and even if there’s just fear that a patch has been altered, that’s enough to affect the value of any card.

WHICH AD CARD IS THE MOST UNDERVALUED?

For me, this is easily my favorite question that I’ve gotten, and it was by a very good member here on Blowout. For one of the first times in the history of the hobby, we have a rookie year card that is autographed and game used, and there is only one set that features this card. The Flawless Spokesman Auto Patches. This set features 10 cards, 2 of each of the following 5 players—AD, Irving, Kobe, Durant, and Griffin. Each of the 10 cards have four versions—regular /20, gold /10, green /5, and Platinum /1.

The Platinum is truly one of the best looking cards that I have ever seen. The etched platinum holofoil is simply amazing. I’m lucky enough to own a Blake Griffin Platinum 1/1, and have been looking for either of the AD’s since the product came out, but I have yet to see one. I digress. The Gold in my opinion is a close second behind the platinum. All versions of the card are beautiful—luckily they didn’t do a red version of this card.

Given the four versions of both the home and away cards, AD has 72 total Spokesman Auto Patch cards. 72 total game used GAME USED patch auto cards from his rookie year. There are hundreds of other patch autos, but there are only 72 game used patch auto’s.

These are NOT from the base set, and so considered by most to not be true rookie cards. Nevertheless, they are truly from 2012-13 Flawless.

WHAT IS THE HOLY GRAIL AD CARD?

Obviously, the 1/1 Logoman auto out of National Treasures and Immaculate are going to be the most valuable, but as for reasonably attainable cards, one cards stands above the rest.

The Immaculate Acetate Numbers Parallel Rookie card. The card is a horizontal RPA serial numbered to the player’s jersey number. Even the harshest of Panini’s pundits agree that this set is exceptionally well designed. Holofoil on the acetate. Nice quality patches, and numbered to the players jersey. Not only is it his holy grail, but it’s likely his best looking card. This, first year set is easily one of the most popular sets since Panini took over as the sole producer of NBA licensed basketball cards and has been compared to Exquisite’s rookie Numbers variation of yesteryear. If you get one, keep it out of the light, as acetate’s are known to let the auto fade over time.

WHAT IS THE BEST AD PATCH CARD?

Flawless Jumbo patch. Its game used. Immaculate has some really killer large patches, but as far as I’m aware, all are “event worn” not game worn. Flawless is clean. The Platinum is the best looking (looking at you certain Blowout member) but after that, Gold is a close second. The Flawless Gold patches are really really nice.

Well, my lunch is officially over—by a lot. I’ll shut up now. Hopefully this info is valuable to someone. Just my two cents.

Adam

[WaiverWire]

Here is one topic Adam didn't mention.

Anthony Davis RC refractors:

From my perspective, there are three products that offer refractors/prizms

1. prizm
Gold /10
Green
Auto /25

Of all the refractors in the "Prizm" product, I really like the Prizm auto /25. To me, the gold prizms were killed by the black prizms of Select and Crusade.

2. select
You have red, blue, green, gold and black refractors of the "Hot Rookies"
You also have the /25 refractors of the in flight selections.

The autos and RPAs also have a little bit of refractor quality to them, but I am not counting them as refractors.

3. Crusade
You have the blue, red, purple, green, gold, and black refractor.

If I had to pick the best, I would pick the black select, black crusade, and 23/25 Prizm auto (all of which are basically 1/1 refractors).

[minnesotachill]

The one card I feel has the most eye appeal is the Immaculate Patch Auto #/75

I am not a fan of the Flawless cards or the ones with tiny patches in Immaculate.

The NT ones were okay, but after hearing about people buying up the Austin Rivers' with nice patches and swapping them out, I'm no longer a fan of those.

[the27guy]

Originally Posted by minnesotachill

The one card I feel has the most eye appeal is the Immaculate Patch Auto #/75

I am not a fan of the Flawless cards or the ones with tiny patches in Immaculate.

The NT ones were okay, but after hearing about people buying up the Austin Rivers' with nice patches and swapping them out, I'm no longer a fan of those.

Unfortunately, I would guess the same thing is probably possible with the Immaculate Jumbo RPA's. Austin Rivers is also in that set. I also REALLY like that card though.

I neglected to mention in my first post the question of which is better the NT RC /199 or the Immaculate Jubo RPA /75. For me, they're comparable. I would lean toward the NT Rookie, but it's pretty close.

[AbraCalabro]

Post pics so I can admire!!!

[the27guy]

Originally Posted by AbraCalabro

Post pics so I can admire!!!

Unforuntaly I have no Anthony Davis Showcase Legacies... nor do I have any AD/Serge B dual autos.......

but if I come across any, you will get a pic!

[AbraCalabro]

Originally Posted by the27guy

Unforuntaly I have no Anthony Davis Showcase Legacies... nor do I have any AD/Serge B dual autos.......

but if I come across any, you will get a pic!

[slobbythegreat]

do you have a bucket of your pc??

[the27guy]

Originally Posted by slobbythegreat

do you have a bucket of your pc??

Hey man. I don't. Though I have a thread on here somewhere that has most of my good stuff on it.

[the27guy]

I did some digging but I can't find the thread on here that showed that some of the national treasures rpa's had patches that had been switched. Does anyone else remember that thread? And is there anyone smarter than me who can find it?

[ninjacookies]

So does anyone know who got that absolute steal on the AD RPA Logoman last year?

Has the card ever re-surfaced? Imagine he could probably make a ridiculously handsome flip on that now...

[dasiegel]

i love the flawless patches and im bias since i own the gold /10, i think the foil looks way better than the red or green. if i could buy any non sp davis i'd take the immaculate /75 with a sick patch.

[skillovermyluck]

a Prestigous Picks RC Auto --- graded 10 -- only 3 others existed last yr .. i sold it at the national last yr for $250 ..

[Redemption King]

Originally Posted by ninjacookies

So does anyone know who got that absolute steal on the AD RPA Logoman last year?

Has the card ever re-surfaced? Imagine he could probably make a ridiculously handsome flip on that now...

I believe the original owner still has the card. It was sold same day live at a card show after being pulled.

[UltimateDeron]

Here's my Anthony Davis PC for those interested in seeing some beauties

Anthony Davis - PC Photos by ultimate_deron | Photobucket

[the27guy]

Originally Posted by UltimateDeron

Here's my Anthony Davis PC for those interested in seeing some beauties

Anthony Davis - PC Photos by ultimate_deron | Photobucket

Well that was worth the click! Nice job man. Which one that you own is your favorite?

[UltimateDeron]

Originally Posted by the27guy

Well that was worth the click! Nice job man. Which one that you own is your favorite?

Thanks!

It's really tough to choose, but I'd probably go with the Immaculate Chinese Red RPA /25.

[hairyangryfella]

I've never seen one in person, but I liked those Spokesmen auto patches from the moment I saw them. It would be cool to have one, but not at the prices they'd be costing.

No mention of the Flawless base autos? What is your opinion of those, the 1/1 version and the 1/1 diamond? Do those last two not come close to the logomans?

[the27guy]

Originally Posted by hairyangryfella

I've never seen one in person, but I liked those Spokesmen auto patches from the moment I saw them. It would be cool to have one, but not at the prices they'd be costing.

No mention of the Flawless base autos? What is your opinion of those, the 1/1 version and the 1/1 diamond? Do those last two not come close to the logomans?

Hey man,

I really like the Flawless Rookie auto's. There's a place for them for sure. Especially because they're on card and there are so few of them. For guys like Klay and Kawhi who don't have a base card, those are the "truest" rookies out of the product. I have a gold and a regular one. The gold is one of the nicest looking cards out there.

The 1/1 diamond is a great card, but to me it's not on the same level as the Logoman autos. I don't have any connection to either. The 1/1 diamond is, at the end of the day, a parallel with nice foil. That's it. The base set was super popular because fo crazy set collectors and because there were only 20 to go around. No one is thinking about putting together the 1/1 diamond set.

It's still a crazy card and I would love to have it! The 1/1 flawless RC Auto is probably similar, but holds no real special significance.

It sounds like I'm dogging both, but they're both five figure cards... and since I have never sold a single card for 5 figures, I have little room to talk

[gonygo]

Originally Posted by the27guy

Hey man,

I really like the Flawless Rookie auto's. There's a place for them for sure. Especially because they're on card and there are so few of them. For guys like Klay and Kawhi who don't have a base card, those are the "truest" rookies out of the product. I have a gold and a regular one. The gold is one of the nicest looking cards out there.

The 1/1 diamond is a great card, but to me it's not on the same level as the Logoman autos. I don't have any connection to either. The 1/1 diamond is, at the end of the day, a parallel with nice foil. That's it. The base set was super popular because fo crazy set collectors and because there were only 20 to go around. No one is thinking about putting together the 1/1 diamond set.

It's still a crazy card and I would love to have it! The 1/1 flawless RC Auto is probably similar, but holds no real special significance.

It sounds like I'm dogging both, but they're both five figure cards... and since I have never sold a single card for 5 figures, I have little room to talk

Both the Flawless diamond and rc 1/1 auto are great cards. I think the AD 1/1 patch is one of his best. It's purdy as well.

[dapro]

Originally Posted by AbraCalabro

Post pics so I can admire!!!

I been away from this forum and hobby this past month because some of my high end cards got stolen\lost in the mail!

But here are the underrated Flawless mention from Adam.

[axelLA]

WHAT IS THE AD ROOKIE CARD THAT YOU HAVE TO HAVE?

a valid point, this apply to many players, very difficult to find a players true rookie/top rookie, beacuse of all parallels.

[dapro]

Anyone know who has this?

[gonygo]

Originally Posted by dapro

Anyone know who has this?

I can tell you that there has got to be a good dozen + B/O members who would have been able to answer YES, but like many, just missed hitting that BIN...

[justdagoodstuff]

Is his Silhouettes Rookie /99 pointless to get? I've had a chance to get a few of those in trades the last few months. Just wasn't sure to get them or not as I'm more an Upper Deck guy and don't keep up with Panini stuff very much.