First post here somewhat new to the hobby but quick question want to know what you guys think.
I’m really interested in the shadowless cards but some of the prices are really getting up there for psa 9s. I just recently bought a psa 8 shadowless charizard and blastoise and wanted to know what you guys think about collecting the whole shadowless holo set in psa 8. I know everyone really wants 9s and 10s but what do you think about psa 8. The other sets I will be collecting in 9s (halfway there on team rockets 1st edition set) but shadowless cards really are what I am focused on now and wanted to know if you guys think psa 8 will still be wanted down the road. I am defiantly a collector but would also like my cards to hold value ( hopefully continue to rise like they are )
I faced a similar situation; I’m more-or-less a Binder Collector for Set Cards. However, I wanted to have my 1st Ed. Base and Shadowless Base PSA Graded. I’m not super-concerned about the condition of my cards (NM/M Condition is Fine) - so I decided to collect PSA 8’s (1st Ed. and Shadowless Set). I completed the PSA 8 1st Ed. Base roughly one year ago; and we’re already seeing the prices increase from my original costs. I do believe that this same type of situation will occur with the Shadowless Base as PSA 9’s and 10’s reach higher and higher prices.
Personally, I find that PSA 8’s are still GREAT Cards! The “damage” on these cards causing them to reduce-down from 9’s or 10’s is so minimal that it’s sometimes hard to immediately spot at first-glance. Plus, the majority of this “damage” is slight whiteness along the back-edges - and who really cares about the back-side of a card? For me, it’s all about the eye-appeal and the art-work on the front - I’m not super-concerned about the back-side.
I think 8s will definitely hold their value so I wouldn’t be concerned about that. A few may fluctuate a bit but as long as people like us are interested they will always have some value and personally I think they are undervalued right now. If I were you I would watch out for deals on 9s and pick them up when you can because if you are collecting other sets in 9s you are going to want to upgrade at some point. It’s inevitable.
I did consider collecting the set in psa 9 but figured it would take me so long to complete that I decided to go with psa 8 thinking they will still continue to rise with the 9s and 10s and one day start selling off the 8s and hopefully be able to collect shadowless 9s and I’ll get to collect my favorite set all over again lol
Really though I look at my shadowless 8s and compare them my rocket 9s and the condition is not much worse like another pointed out mostly just slight silvering and slight whitening on the back. The eye appeal is nearly the same. Psa 8 does seem a little undervalued to me when you compare the condition of 8s and 9s and hopefully will start to catch up
This! The overall eye appeal factors into the grade of the card anyways, and I very rarely have seen 8s that look terrible unless they’re misgraded. I think you’ll be completely satisfied with a PSA 8 set, OP.
As long as there is an audience for it, yes. It’s similar to comic books where lower grades of key issues became more in demand due to the prices of mid to high grade books getting out of reach. Actually, I believe in terms of percentages, I believe the lower grades tended to rise much faster than the higher grade stuff
Absolutely nothing wrong with collecting 8’s (or any particular grade for that matter). Shadowless holos can come out of packs in PSA 8 condition anyway so technically you’re still collecting potentially pack fresh cards.
Also started collecting the Shadowless Set in 8 - 8.5 due to the fast rising prices, it would be now or let the train pass as I did with the PSA 9s.
Just for your info, I recently got a PSA 8.5 Shadowless Zard for around 700$ which is a tiny bit more than what the PSA 9 variation was going for a year ago.
PSA 8s of shadowless will hold value and continue growing…maybe not fast as the last months, but steady for sure. Also shadowless has less pop than 1st Ed which has that going for it and the demand is becoming higher and higher.
I’d only pick up shadowless/1st Zards in grades lower than a 9 tbh. Shadowless Base 9s (for anything which isn’t Zard) are all still affordable and most 1st 9s aren’t out of people’s reach.
If you’re only worried about value I wouldn’t be collecting whole sets, just the starter trio.
Go for minimum 8s. If you spot a nice 8.5 or 9 for a good price that you can afford at the time, go for it.
Then, if you ever decide to upgrade, you won’t have as far to go;)
I did notice they have significantly less in the pop reports. even when checking on eBay for some of the shadowless cards there’s really not that many listed as compared to 1st edition, except for charizard.
The theory is there was about as many Shadowless printed as 1st Edition, but they just weren’t preserved as well. I know that back in the day(2000-ish) my friends and I actually preferred the newer looking Unlimited cards so it makes sense that many copies got beat up. Other kids even thought they were fake. lol
As for your collecting the PSA 8 holos, I say go for it. I love the set and I have a full 9 and some of the 8s as well. I think you can pick up some 9s on the cheap as well, except Chansey/Raichu/Clefairy.
I love the set and I have a full 9 and some of the 8s as well. I think you can pick up some 9s on the cheap as well, except Chansey/Raichu/Clefairy.