Which category of card is best

[Bradley5280]

Hello all! I’m pretty new to the hobby of cards and I’m having trouble distinguishing how to generally rank the following category of cards:

1. Rookie card- serial numbered 1/1
2. Rookie card- 1/99 autograph
3. Rookie card - 1/199 auto and game worn patch
4. Rookie card- 1/99 auto and patch (not game worn)

How would you all rank those and are there any other “categories” of card version that would make the top of the list?

Thanks so much y’all!!

Brad

[SaveMeTheGum]

It depends on a lot more factors than just serial number/autograph/etc. There are premium brands and non-premium. There is licensed and non-licensed. On card autograph vs. sticker autograph. And there are subjective aspects like set preference (some people prefer Heritage over flatship, etc). Like with most things in this hobby, there are few hard and fast rules -- it comes down to what YOU like better.

[MiamiMarlinsFan]

Welcome to the hobby! “Best” is a subjective term and if different for everyone. Just jump into the water, start buying things that look interesting and see what scratches the itch for you.

[hermanotarjeta]

First bowman chrome auto is the best.

[oldgoldy97]

Anything from Fanatics!

[cardsin47]

The answer is in your mirror

[LittleJimmies]

Just look at the going rates for whatever your choosing between to see what the market dictates is "best".

[OhioLawyerF5]

The best category of cards is baseball cards.

[Bradley5280]

It sounds like it depends but the reason I’m asking is I am looking at a Ceddanne Rafaela rookie baseball card (I’m in Boston).

I received similar priced offers for:
1/1 signature rookie and 1/99 on card auto/ game worn patch. There’s also a similar offer for I believe a 1/75 auto and non-specific patch. Perhaps it’s that they’re all comparable? I guess I short circuited trying to compare rarity to auto to patch. If anyone has a suggestion of what to put personally would value it’d be interesting to hear it but if not I’ll think about it! And the brands are Topps/Bowman/Leaf so no back alley production.

Thanks to you all!

[rngrdanny22]

I, personally, prefer the non-auto cards so I'd definitely be all over the 1/1 rookie cards (especially Platinum 1/1 and TC Supers).

[anusinha]

Leaf is more or less back alley production

[Bradley5280]

Hahah I’m still new but it seems apparent that in baseball Topps/Bowman is king. I guess for the argument let’s just say they’re all Topps. For the same price would the individual prefer 1/1, 1/99 auto game-worn patch, 1/50 auto non-game worn patch. Assuming quality and other others are identical.

[glen87]

Originally Posted by Bradley5280

It sounds like it depends but the reason I’m asking is I am looking at a Ceddanne Rafaela rookie baseball card (I’m in Boston).

I received similar priced offers for:
1/1 signature rookie and 1/99 on card auto/ game worn patch. There’s also a similar offer for I believe a 1/75 auto and non-specific patch. Perhaps it’s that they’re all comparable? I guess I short circuited trying to compare rarity to auto to patch. If anyone has a suggestion of what to put personally would value it’d be interesting to hear it but if not I’ll think about it! And the brands are Topps/Bowman/Leaf so no back alley production.

Thanks to you all!

you need to give the specific cards you are considering...

pretty sure there are some in here who would take a base 1st bowman /99 over a leaf 1/1 auto

also - while leaf may not be a "back alley production" in your mind, they are in the minds of many since they are not licensed.

[glen87]

Originally Posted by Bradley5280

Hahah I’m still new but it seems apparent that in baseball Topps/Bowman is king. I guess for the argument let’s just say they’re all Topps. For the same price would the individual prefer 1/1, 1/99 auto game-worn patch, 1/50 auto non-game worn patch. Assuming quality and other others are identical.

again, just not enough info.....topps has base line products and higher ends once. you need to compare from the same set, and even then you may not get an unanimous answer.

i do not like auto patches, so i would take a #/99 auto only over any #/50 auto patch.

[Bradley5280]

Thank you for the replies and insight! Baseball cards weren’t this complicated when I was young- pull a Griffey card you had a good day haha. I don’t care for the patches too much but I wasn’t sure how much value, if any, they add to an auto. It sounds like it depends and I’d likely need to bring the specific cards to the discussion next time since it’s much deeper than surface level.

[Above the Rim]

Lots of good choices. I am not a big fan of auto's. To me they are just black squiggly short loop-de-loops that there is no way you can say who in the world they are. I am just not going to pony up for a black chicken scratch. But I am in the minority as a lot of folks like them. And those "patches" - patches of what, are they really anything more than a fabric additive with some supposed history behind them (or not). If I go modern, a plain low numbered parallel that looks cool is plenty nice to me. Call me old school bah-humbug, but vintage baby. For instance, my last pick-ups have been nice for the grade Hank Aaron or Willie Mays mid-career cards, a sweet '68 Ryan RC PSA 5, and a centered '68 Johnny Bench RC with nice color, focus & gloss.

[Dukefett]

Originally Posted by hermanotarjeta

First bowman chrome auto is the best.

Is bowman chrome printed far less than regular bowman? I guess I'm surprised that the chrome is that much more valuable when I was comparing some cards.

[rngrdanny22]

Originally Posted by Dukefett

Is bowman chrome printed far less than regular bowman? I guess I'm surprised that the chrome is that much more valuable when I was comparing some cards.

He's talking about the 1st Auto, not just the first chrome card.

But yes, the chrome is more limited than the paper.

[Drew3000]

1. Tacofractor
2. Everything else

[Bradley5280]

Sounds great thanks everyone for the input. I guess the next question would be if this is highly variable depending on the person, is there a currently known ‘type’ of card in industry that *in general to a degree* is unanimously rated as highly or most valuable? I saw someone mention Bowman Chrome Auto.

Part of my problem now is looking at a card and assessing the value or determining if it’s a good price given the subjectivity. I don’t think anyone loves the general idea of spending $300 on a card that the resell is $20 if only on principle but a ballpark guideline of most valuable, although subjective, is still helpful! I really appreciate the help btw. I’ve researched in countless articles but the amount of conflicting information led me to ask y’all as the industry.