From a reader:
I recently read your article titled "T206 Ty Cobb Green Portrait: Is it worth the premium?" (Oct 4, 2023). I have a question for you. I am currently looking at buying my 1st Cobb card. I like vintage but I only own 1 T206 (Magie Error). I am debating on the T206 bat off shoulder polar bear vs the green portrait vs a St Louis O'Hara or Demmitt to go w/my Magie. I too am an investor by trade. This, in turn, makes it kind of tough when deciding on the right card. I like the green portrait for looks, the polar bear for scarcity and value and the two St Louis versions due to their limited print run. I'm stuck in "analysis paralysis" . All are around the same price w/in $1500 of each other. Just curious on your opinion.
Hey there, thanks for the question. It's a good one.
When examining the T206 set from an investment standpoint, any Cobb and any of the error cards are a fantastic investment.
Just based on PSA grading alone, these are the total PSA graded cards for each Cobb and Error:
Cobb Red Portrait. 2500+
Cobb Bat Off Shoulder 1200+
Cobb Green Portrait 950+
Cobb Bat On Shoulder 930+
St Louis O'Hara 200+
St Louis Demmitt 200+
Comps for PSA 3 Common Backs on Cobbs and PSA 2 on errors
PSA 3 Cobb Green $8700
PSA 3 Cobb Off Shoulder $8000
PSA 3 Cobb On Shoulder $6000
PSA 3 Cobb Red Portrait $6000
PSA 2 St Louis O'Hara $8500
PSA 2 St Louis Demmitt $9000
So, based on all of this data, I would personally lean towards the Cobb Green Portrait over the Bat Off, due to the relative scarcity. You might also consider a Bat On (even though in my mind the picture isn't as attractive), but it has the lowest PSA graded Pop of all the Cobbs.
Now whether a Cobb or an error card, as shown above probably right around the same price range for a PSA 3 Cobb versus a PSA 2 error (depending on the back), but if it were me, I'd go Cobb now (since you already have one error card) and then plan on trying to scoop up one of the errors for your next purchase. Hope this helps.
Chris
Thanks. I appreciate the info. Very helpful. Glad I found this forum. CD
sure thing Chris, happy to help!
