Talking with the Bot

My year-end splurge continues.  As much as I try to find set needs, it just hasn't been happening.  Maybe attending too many card shows has diverted my attention from sets (especially vintage) to player PC's or just plain cool looking cards.  Either way my collection is growing when it should be shrinking!

So first let's take a look at some recent, cool additions.

This 2020-21 Hoops Anthony Edwards rookie is a great addition to my PC.  Numbered to 199, this card wasn't cheap, but the shininess is worth every penny to me.  The card was obtained at a local show which was incredibly busy (however about half of the dealers were Pokémon).  It was literally shoulder to shoulder collectors moving around the tables.  Here's a PSA for collectors - as much as I can appreciate getting young folks into this hobby,  please don't drag your toddler around in a large cart when a show is super busy. <rant over>

Two more Ant rookies.  Both of these cards are from the same 2020-21 Panini Chronicles set.  This set has a whopping 725 card checklist.  The set is actually a hodgepodge of subsets and no, I will not try to complete it.  The Marquee rookie as you my have guessed is from the Marquee subset and the other rookie is from the Essentials subset.  There are 23 - yes 23 - 'rookie' cards of Ant in this set!  And that does not include any parallels.

Here's a card I've had my eye on for a long time, but each time I've seen it I passed on it.  Finally, after seeing it yet again sitting on a dealer's table, I took it as a sign from the card gods that this belongs in my collection.

What can I say about adding more Ohtani's and Trout's to a collection that I haven't already said?  

Give me more!

Shield your young, innocent eyes from this one!  When I saw this one of a kind, I had to have it.  Just for fun I had the AI bot examine this.  Let's see what it says:

This autographed Dwight Gooden card is from the 2020 Topps "In The Name" (ITP) series, which features special inscriptions on cards. The card is a reprint of his iconic 1986 Topps base card design. 

The inscription "I Struck the Mother F*ckers out" refers to a famous quote attributed to Gooden during the New York Mets' 1986 championship season parade. The card is authenticated by PSA/DNA, with a certification number of 84208831.

Card Details

Year: 2020 (release year of this specific card product)

Set: Topps Archives Signature Series "In The Name"

Player: Dwight "Doc" Gooden

Authentication: PSA/DNA Certified Auto (Certification #84208831)

Inscription: "I Struck the Mother F*ckers out" 

Value Information

The value of this card varies based on the specific inscription and demand. Cards from the 2020 Topps Archives Signature Series with Gooden's autograph typically sell in a range. Similar signed Dwight Gooden cards from this era often list for around $60 to over $100 online, depending on the specific product and seller. 

Your card has a unique, famous (and controversial) inscription, which can add a premium for certain collectors. You likely got a good deal if you paid in that general market range.

Ok, the bot was close.  ITP actually means "In the presence".  So on 3/5/2020 someone had Dr. K sign a 1986 Topps card in the presence of a Beckett representative.  I paid about $60 for this, so at least the bot confirmed I didn't get ripped off.

I came across this card on an auction site and figured I'd go for it.  High grades of this rookie police card of Barry Sanders command a premium.  Thankfully I didn't pay that premium.  Totally forgot what I paid for this so I'm not asking the bot about it.  :)

The same weekend I picked up my shiny Ant NBA Hoops rookie, at another show just down the road I came across this Jackie Robinson card.  This card set me back $5 and I had no idea what set it came from.  So let's see if my AI bot can identify it:

That Jackie Robinson card is a manufactured patch card from the 2013 Topps base set. It is an insert that features a fabric patch, not a piece of a game-used uniform, and the image is a reprint of his iconic 1953 Topps baseball card.

Card Details

Year: 2013

Set: Topps (base set insert)

Card Number: MCP-1

Type: Manufactured Commemorative Patch Card

Original Image Year: The design is a reprint of the 1953 Topps #1 Jackie Robinson card, which is a highly valued vintage card in the hobby.

Value Information

The original 1953 Topps card of Jackie Robinson can sell for thousands of dollars depending on condition.

Your 2013 manufactured patch insert is a modern commemorative item, and typically sells for a much lower price, often around $5 to $10. You got a fair deal for a unique collectible!

All right, I got a fair deal!  Woo hoo!

My brother called my attention to this card of Lebron, or as the dealer called him 'LeFlop'.  I didn't collect basketball cards when he made waves as a rookie so I pick up his card every now and then.  For $50 did I get a fair deal?  Let see what the AI bot says:

Yes, you got a fair to very good deal on the card for $50. The card you purchased is a 2003 Upper Deck LeBron James Box Set #8 Rookie Card graded PGI 10 Gem Mint. 

Cards of this exact type and grade typically sell for a range of prices, but listings and recent sales data suggest a market value of approximately $70 to over $100.

Card Details

Set: 2003 Upper Deck LeBron James Box Set

Card Number: #8

Player: LeBron James

Grade: PGI 10 Gem Mint

Grader: Pristine Grading International (PGI)

Approximate Market Value: $70 - $120 

The specific PGI grading company is not as prominent as major graders like PSA or BGS, which can affect the value compared to those brands. However, based on current market listings, your purchase price of $50 is below the typical asking price, making it a good acquisition for your collection. 

Whew!  I really had no idea if it was a good deal or not, so I threw caution to the wind but it looks like it paid off. 

But wait - you say it was graded by Beckett and not Pristine Grading International?  The AI bot couldn't be wrong could it?  Maybe my poorly scanned photo threw that bot off.  So let's try again.

That information is important; thank you for the correction.

Yes, you still got a fair to very good deal for the card at $50. The card you purchased is a 2003 Upper Deck LeBron James Box Set #8 Rookie Card, which has been graded BGS 9.5 Gem Mint by Beckett Grading Services. 

The market value for this specific card and grade typically ranges from approximately $80 to $150, with some sales reaching even higher. Your purchase price of $50 is below the average market value for a BGS 9.5, making it a good value acquisition. 

Alright! Now we're talking!

Boom!  My '56 Mantle at last!  It's beat to hell but whatever.  I've watched the price on these climb over the past year and after getting sniped several times, I finally landed one.  At what feels like a ridiculous $400 price tag, is this a good deal?  Let's see what the Bot says:

Yes, at $400 you received an exceptional deal. The card you purchased is an authentic, original 1956 Topps Mickey Mantle #135 baseball card with a "gray back" variation, graded as "Authentic" by a professional grading service.

Considering current market prices, your purchase of this iconic, authentic vintage card for $400 is a very favorable transaction.

Ok, now I'm feeling a little better.  Will I try to upgrade at some point?  Yes I will.  The torn corner and crease through his face bug me.  For now, I will enjoy this while I continue to build this set.

Talking with AI bots can be kind of fun.  I'll try to incorporate the bot in future posts like this.

Until next time, happy hunting!