[kyberforged]

I have cut back on non cards collecting but I do have a few baseballs(Griffey Jr, Pete Rose and Jay Bruce) and that plaque is signed by Roger Christian (Creator of the original lightsabers) and I got this Sunday at the Sal Stewart event night for my dad

[kyberforged]

That’s the perfect example of when collecting really becomes personal. The player matters, the card matters, and then there’s the nostalgia attached to it from when you were a kid.The 1993 Ultra Scoring Kings is such a great grail choice too. When you can finally put your hands on the card that you remember being iconic as a kid, I imagine that hits completely differently than just buying an expensive card because it’s valuable and getting it at Nationals makes the story even better. That’s definitely a card I’d never want to move

[kyberforged]

😂 I actually love that approach. Sometimes you’re not collecting the player at all—you’re collecting the design, insert, or the experience of having that card in hand.<div>
</div><div>And honestly, a couple-dollar Joe Smith Net Assets is a much better way to represent the set than just admiring a Jordan from pictures and never getting to actually see one in person. That’s a pretty good collecting strategy.</div>

[kyberforged]

Yeah, exactly. Being at the game makes it so much more than just a numbered card. The 1/5, the “ROBBED” inscription, and now the memory of actually being there. That’s the kind of card that becomes harder to replace as time goes on.

[kyberforged]

😂 See, that’s exactly how it starts. “It’s only $2” is how the Pokémon rabbit hole gets you.

But honestly, if the card looks like the Pokémon is wearing a safety vest, I’d probably buy it too. At that point you’re not buying the card, you’re buying the joke. Totally different category. 😂

[kyberforged]

Yeah, I think grading is definitely the move on those two. At $50 for both, there’s enough upside there to make the gamble worthwhile, especially if they come back with strong grades.

Now I just have to resist the temptation to keep buying Pokémon every time I see a good deal. 😂

[kyberforged]

Swift is still available

[kyberforged]

Yeah, seeing a five-figure card in person is one thing, but actually having the budget to buy it is a completely different universe. 😂 I’m perfectly happy being the guy standing there going, “Wow, that’s awesome,” and then walking away with my wallet intact.

And yeah, $50 for both Final Evolutions cards felt like a pretty solid deal to me. Especially when you consider how quickly Pokémon prices can get ridiculous.

[kyberforged]

Yeah, that inscription idea is what really sold me on the card. The 1/5 True Red was already a great pickup, but having “ROBBED” in metallic black makes it feel like a card with an actual story behind it. Definitely one of those cards that’s going to stand out in the PC.

[kyberforged]

😂 Big Man Blastoise is officially what I’m calling him now.

I got both for $50, so it was a solid deal, especially after seeing how crazy some Pokémon tables were this weekend. I definitely had to do a little negotiating to get there, but I’m really happy with the pickups.

And after working that Pokémon show, I’m guessing you saw some absolutely wild prices. 😂

[kyberforged]

😂 I definitely raked this weekend. The “ROBBED” inscription might actually be my favorite part of the whole haul because it makes that Nolvi card feel so much more unique.

And yeah, getting the Elly and Sal autos on cards I already really liked was a huge win. Then somehow I managed to sneak two Pokémon cards into the weekend too. The wallet may not agree, but I’m calling it a successful weekend. 😂

[kyberforged]

Oof, that one would hurt to look back on. 😬 Especially because it wasn’t just a card you sold—it was a card you and your dad owned together.

But hindsight in the hobby is brutal. Nobody knows which cards are going to explode five years later. At the time, turning it into $2,050 probably felt like a pretty great result.

Still… seeing both sitting around $5K now would have me staring at the old transaction like, “We could have had the Jordan AND kept the Kaboom.”

[kyberforged]

Yeah, i’d have a hard time passing on that one too. There’s just something about those 90s Jordan cards that makes them fun to chase, especially when you grew up watching him.

I’m with you on the Baker for the grading gamble though. At the price I got all three, I figured it was worth taking the shot. Now I just need the cards to cooperate when I get them under the magnifying glass. 😂

[kyberforged]

Yeah, that’s the part that makes me question simple yellowing too. If it were just the fabric aging, I’d expect more random discoloration rather than following the exact curve of the card design.

The fact that it’s concentrated along one edge makes me wonder if something during production or storage is causing it. Definitely an interesting one to figure out.

[kyberforged]

That’s a really cool way to approach shows. I especially like the kids bingo idea because it gives kids something to actually participate in instead of just tagging along while the adults look at cards.

And seeking out veteran-owned tables is a great personal connection too. At that point you’re not just shopping for cards, you’re finding people you already have something in common with. I bet some of those conversations end up being more memorable than the cards you bring home.