Let’s talk about pre 98-99 refractors

[jnmcards]

Let me preface this by saying that I’m more of a collector than an investor. That said, given the greening issues of pre 98-99 refractors, does it make sense to dump money in to these cards?

I currently own some significant refractors from that era and have been eying more... but if these ALL turn green at some point (which seems like a given), does it really make sense to make a significant investment / have these as a centerpiece of a collection?

I’m not sure what the answer is here or if there even is one, but with prices skyrocketing and the proverbial clock ticking on non-green cards, I thought it might be an interesting topic to discuss.

[SHowley2003]

What 98-99 refractors do you have that are turning green? I have a good deal of them and have zero greening on them.

[whoaitsg33]

“pre”

[phdbeckett]

Some 1998-99s do green. Topps Roundball Royalty base and refractors get splotches of green.

[robertscz]

does the air and/or light make them turn?? maybe if they're graded and slabbed and kept in a collection box somewhere that may help?

the biggest example i can think of is the dunk n go nuts set.... look at the color that those turn into!! has anyone kept a clean clear one that can share where it has spent the last 20 years??

[Kingofkings1281]

Originally Posted by robertscz

does the air and/or light make them turn?? maybe if they're graded and slabbed and kept in a collection box somewhere that may help?

the biggest example i can think of is the dunk n go nuts set.... look at the color that those turn into!! has anyone kept a clean clear one that can share where it has spent the last 20 years??

The cards I’ve bought out of 96-97 chrome specifically have all kept their color since I’ve owned them. It had been a few years since the last time I checked on them and was expecting the worst. Thankfully they all looked exactly the same as the day I bought them. All are BGS graded and stored in boxes in my closet. I guess I’ll just stick with that since it seems to be working so far haha

[SHowley2003]

Originally Posted by whoaitsg33

“pre”

Right! Completely missed that....

[whoaitsg33]

not sure what’s the science behind keeping them from hulking. some reports said they have copies stored in a cool dark place and they still green.

but if some copies can keep their color, i’d roll the dice and invest on key RC’s (kobe, duncan, tmac, AI)

[blinkme323]

People have mentioned opening sealed packs and the cards came out green. Worrisome to say the least.

[mc1]

Originally Posted by phdbeckett

Some 1998-99s do green. Topps Roundball Royalty base and refractors get splotches of green.

Those are inserts. Show me a green base or base refractor from 98-99 or later.

[robertscz]

I have a 96 jordan gold Refractor and it looks good to me! Not sure how much this would actually change color tho... Also a dunk n go nuts that's clear, this is the one I'm more curious about

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[blinkme323]

Originally Posted by robertscz

I have a 96 jordan gold Refractor and it looks good to me! Not sure how much this would actually change color tho... Also a dunk n go nuts that's clear, this is the one I'm more curious about

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I’ve seen plenty of Golds with greening issues. Yours looks good though!

[rustywest]

That gold refractor - its started.

[phdbeckett]

2003-04 Reflections green/fade noticibly as well.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Lebron-Jame...wAAOSwpLlezzay

[jnmcards]

Originally Posted by rustywest

That gold refractor - its started.

Right, already signs of greening on that one. Such a shame, as it’s one of my favorites of all time, but It’s hard to stomach owning one when you know it will turn green.

[jwillgrails]

Originally Posted by jnmcards

Let me preface this by saying that I’m more of a collector than an investor. That said, given the greening issues of pre 98-99 refractors, does it make sense to dump money in to these cards?

I currently own some significant refractors from that era and have been eying more... but if these ALL turn green at some point (which seems like a given), does it really make sense to make a significant investment / have these as a centerpiece of a collection?

I’m not sure what the answer is here or if there even is one, but with prices skyrocketing and the proverbial clock ticking on non-green cards, I thought it might be an interesting topic to discuss.

I doubt there'll be a consensus.

Personally, I'm avoiding Chrome and Finest RCs as investments from that era. I grew up collecting in the 90s so it breaks my heart for that to be the case.

However, if I had $1000 to spend, I would rather pick up 4 x Kobe Bryant EX-2000 PSA 8 RCs @ $250 than 1 x Kobe Bryant Topps Chrome RC PSA 8 @ $1000.

No question the Chrome RC is one of the most iconic cards ever but I don't want greening to be an issue down the road.

That's my approach but everyone will be different.

[jnmcards]

Originally Posted by jeromeparot

I doubt there'll be a consensus.

Personally, I'm avoiding Chrome and Finest RCs as investments from that era. I grew up collecting in the 90s so it breaks my heart for that to be the case.

However, if I had $1000 to spend, I would rather pick up 4 x Kobe Bryant EX-2000 PSA 8 RCs @ $250 than 1 x Kobe Bryant Topps Chrome RC PSA 8 @ $1000.

No question the Chrome RC is one of the most iconic cards ever but I don't want greening to be an issue down the road.

That's my approach but everyone will be different.

Great points, and that’s kind of where my head is at as well. None of my big ones have greened yet, but I may unload them given that it is a near certainty that it will happen in the future.

[blinkme323]

I’m really curious if there has ever been a non-green refractor that was slabbed and then turned green.

[Jpayne7787]

Originally Posted by blinkme323

I’m really curious if there has ever been a non-green refractor that was slabbed and then turned green.

There def is

I had a 97-98 Hakeem refractor that was graded by BGS that turned green within a year sitting in my display case in Chicago

Also I’ve noticed some Yao chrome RCs that aren’t exactly greening but noticeably changing colors

[blinkme323]

Originally Posted by Jpayne7787

There def is

I had a 97-98 Hakeem refractor that was graded by BGS that turned green within a year sitting in my display case in Chicago

Also I’ve noticed some Yao chrome RCs that aren’t exactly greening but noticeably changing colors

See now that’s troublesome then. That tells me that there really is no mitigation for this. It’s not if it will happen, it’s when.

[TMILL]

Originally Posted by blinkme323

I’m really curious if there has ever been a non-green refractor that was slabbed and then turned green.

https://www.blowoutforums.com/showth...1378698&page=2

Gave my experience post 26.

But yes, happened in a PSA slab.

[jnmcards]

Originally Posted by TMILL

https://www.blowoutforums.com/showth...1378698&page=2

Gave my experience post 26.

But yes, happened in a PSA slab.

Well I guess there are two ways of looking at it, on one hand some of the most iconic cards of all time will eventually be a green mess. On the other hand, if they are ALL green, does it matter? At that point, it’s a feature not a defect

[mk6283]

Greening doesn’t bother me at all. Confirms it’s authentic. Part of the card’s history. Cards still look great even with the greening and no evidence whatsoever to support an argument that greening hurts values over time. The greened out iconic refractors (MJ, Kobe) still sell for a ton (sure, less than non-green copies, but still for a lot more than they did 5, 10, 15 years ago). Same pack odds and legacy. These cards have only gone up in value over the last 25+ years, even with the greening. This “concern” about greening is overblown IMO. If you don’t like what the cards look like and won’t enjoy owning a greened refractor, then that’s a separate issue and in that case it might not be right for you.


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[jnmcards]

Originally Posted by mk6283

Greening doesn’t bother me at all. Confirms it’s authentic. Part of the card’s history. Cards still look great even with the greening and no evidence whatsoever to support an argument that greening hurts values over time. The greened out iconic refractors (MJ, Kobe) still sell for a ton (sure, less than non-green copies, but still for a lot more than they did 5, 10, 15 years ago). Same pack odds and legacy. These cards have only gone up in value over the last 25+ years, even with the greening. This “concern” about greening is overblown IMO. If you don’t like what the cards look like and won’t enjoy owning a greened refractor, then that’s a separate issue and in that case it might not be right for you.


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I agree, from a collecting standpoint it is purely subjective. I guess the closest comparison to draw would be a vintage card with mold on it. It’s still the same card, just compromised. The value proposition is another story.

[jnmcards]

A nice green Jordan just popped up on eBay. Will be interesting to see what it fetches.