Ever known someone who owned a Toyota Camry? Maybe you have one yourself. It's a safe bet that 91.9% of Camry owners wish they had saved up just a bit more to splurge for, well anything else. The car is fine, and plain. Period. Of course, loyal Camry owners will go on about safety, dependability and so on. And that’s exactly how I’d describe most PSA 8 graded football cards. Good quality. Dependable. Average. Boring. Common. 
In card collecting it’s all about the search for the gems, the anti-common, the beauties that make your collection stand out. With uniqueness setting the bar, the market is driven by jersey cards, autos or any limited prints from 1/99, 1/25, 1/10 or even just 1/1. It’s all about having something that is scarce. And it must be mint!
It’s the same with those treasured rookie cards and we all know the ONLY way to have a unique one is to ensure it is in cherry condition. Anyone can go out and buy a PSA 8. But that NM-MT 8 makes that great card the Toyota Camry of your collection. And yes, it will cost you to upgrade.
But you will never regret saving up to buy a nice MINT 9 or splurge for a pristine GM MT 10. And if you're like most collectors, you're probably just a bit TOO passionate about your cards. You’ll enjoy every second that you get to spend quality time with your PSA 9... going on longs walks on the beach together... staring at those four beautifully sharp corners, and gazing at the amazing slender frame and perfect centering; and of course showing it off to your friends (or your message board cyber-friends).
Well, hopefully you aren’t peering at Tom Brady, or worse, Terry Bradshaw a bit TOO long, but you have to admit everyone gives that extra glance to a PSA9 or 10.
Obviously, there are exceptions to the rule, and in the vintage world SOME 8’s can be the crown jewel. At times a card will even skyrocket beyond its true value (basically, any super rare vintage cards or any Tim Tebow card ever printed), making the price just too steep. But for the most part, if a PSA 9 or 10 is expensive, it’s because it should be. These rules ESPECIALLY apply if you venture into buying any cards from the late 80’s or early 90’s. Really, there’s no real explanation for buying any card from that era that isn’t graded at least a 9.
Never mind that the those three letters, P-S-A, will ensure a more likely chance of an increase in value, but you’ll also be less susceptible to the bottom dropping out if the player throws 10 interceptions or decides to go for an ill advised joyride on a Harley.
Look, you won’t have any regrets when people ask you, ‘is that your Porsche?’ so why should cards be any different?
A nicely graded football card might not get you as many dates as a 944 Turbo, but unlike a Porsche, it might make you some money in the long run. So stop shopping for that Camry, and splash the cash for a GM MT 10, it’s worth it.
| 2015 Topps Chrome 60th Anniversary Rookies #TG Todd Gurley RC graded PSA 9 Mint | |
 |
$16.95 Time Remaining: 47m Buy It Now for only: $16.95 |
| 2000 Topps Gallery #125 Peyton Manning graded PSA 9 Mint | |
 |
$13.95 Time Remaining: 47m Buy It Now for only: $13.95 |
| 1981 Topps Joe Montana Rookie Card #216 PSA-9 MINT " VERY HIGH END" | |
 |
$700.00 Time Remaining: 47m |
| Chris Doleman: 1988 Topps #157 PSA 9 MINT (HOF) | |
 |
$23.99 Time Remaining: 50m |
| 1984 Topps Football # 10 COLTS TEAM LEADERS CURTIS DICKEY PSA 9 MINT | |
 |
$8.50 Time Remaining: 58m Buy It Now for only: $8.50 |
| 2006 Johnny Unitas Finest Moments Refractors #JU5 Johnny Unitas # 129/399 PSA 9 | |
 |
$14.06 Time Remaining: 59m Buy It Now for only: $14.06 |
| 1984 TOPPS FOOTBALL PSA 9 MINT # 14 NESBY GLASGOW COLTS | |
 |
$8.50 Time Remaining: 59m Buy It Now for only: $8.50 |
| 1984 TOPPS FOOTBALL PSA 9 MINT # 17 RANDY McMILLAN | |
 |
$8.50 Time Remaining: 59m Buy It Now for only: $8.50 |
| Lot of 5 - 2014 Topps Chrome Derek Carr Topps 1985 All PSA 9 | |
 |
$41.11 Time Remaining: 1h 17m Buy It Now for only: $41.11 |
| 1984 TOPPS #229 WALTER PAYTON BEARS HOF PSA 9 ST | |
 |
$3.25 (4 Bids) Time Remaining: 1h 26m |
| 1961 Topps #164 Tom Rychlec Buffalo Bills PSA 9 Graded Football Card | |
 |
$96.96 Time Remaining: 1h 28m Buy It Now for only: $96.96 |
| 2003 Topps Chrome 124 Tom Brady PSA 9 Mint | |
 |
$99.99 Time Remaining: 1h 40m Buy It Now for only: $99.99 |
| 2006 Topps Draft Picks & Prospects 21 Tom Brady Chrome PSA 9 Mint | |
 |
$49.99 Time Remaining: 1h 44m Buy It Now for only: $49.99 |
| 2006 Topps Heritage 124 Tom Brady PSA 9 Mint | |
 |
$39.99 Time Remaining: 1h 44m Buy It Now for only: $39.99 |
| 2010 Topps Chrome C124 Aaron Rodgers PSA 9 Mint | |
 |
$24.99 Time Remaining: 1h 48m Buy It Now for only: $24.99 |
| 2013 Topps Chrome 50 Tom Brady White Jersey-Xfractor PSA 9 Mint | |
 |
$69.99 Time Remaining: 1h 51m Buy It Now for only: $69.99 |
| 2014 Topps Chrome 62 Tom Brady Refractor PSA 9 Mint | |
 |
$79.99 Time Remaining: 1h 52m Buy It Now for only: $79.99 |
| 1983 Topps #6 Mike Nelms Record Breaker PSA 9 (Washington Redskins) 1 Higher | |
 |
$13.85 Time Remaining: 1h 53m Buy It Now for only: $13.85 |
| 2015 Topps Chrome 50 Tom Brady Xfractor PSA 9 Mint | |
 |
$79.99 Time Remaining: 1h 57m Buy It Now for only: $79.99 |
| 2015 Topps Chrome Mini 60th Anniversary Tbra Tom Brady PSA 9 Mint | |
 |
$49.99 Time Remaining: 1h 59m Buy It Now for only: $49.99 |
| 2015 Topps Chrome Super Bowl 50 Die-Cut DB Drew Brees Refractor PSA 9 Mint #99 | |
 |
$24.99 Time Remaining: 1h 59m Buy It Now for only: $24.99 |
| 1985 TOPPS #8 DOLPHINS VS STEELERS PSA 9 | |
 |
$16.20 Time Remaining: 2h 2m Buy It Now for only: $16.20 |
| 2013 Topps Football 1965 Mini Tall Boy Auto Autograph RC Ellington Falcons PSA 9 | |
 |
$0.99 (1 Bid) Time Remaining: 2h 11m |
| KEVIN KOLB RC 2007 TOPPS CHROME BLUE REFRACTOR PSA 9 MINT ROOKIE CARD | |
 |
$14.95 Time Remaining: 2h 20m Buy It Now for only: $14.95 |
| 1961 Nu-Card # 129 Ron Taylor PSA 9 Mint | |
 |
$12.95 Time Remaining: 2h 20m Buy It Now for only: $12.95 |
| 1973 Topps-- Bubba Smith #155 -- PSA 9 | |
 |
$15.00 Time Remaining: 2h 20m Buy It Now for only: $15.00 |
| 1984 Topps -- Eric Dickerson #280 -- PSA 9 | |
 |
$250.00 Time Remaining: 2h 20m Buy It Now for only: $250.00 |
| 1979 Topps #155 - Joe THEISMANN - PSA 9+++ Redskins | |
 |
$24.99 Time Remaining: 2h 21m Buy It Now for only: $24.99 |
| 1981 Topps #511 JEFF KOMLO GRADED PSA 9 MINT NFL Detroit LIONS/DELAWARE | |
 |
$9.99 Time Remaining: 2h 21m |
| 1980 Topps #26 - Doug BEAUDOIN - PSA 9+++ Patriots | |
 |
$9.99 Time Remaining: 2h 21m Buy It Now for only: $9.99 |
| 1980 Topps #81 - Ricky BELL - PSA 9+++ Buccaneers | |
 |
$19.99 Time Remaining: 2h 23m Buy It Now for only: $19.99 |
| 1985 Topps USFL #80 - Doug FLUTIE - PSA 9+++ RC Generals | |
 |
$39.99 Time Remaining: 2h 24m Buy It Now for only: $39.99 |
| 1980 TOPPS # 58 BILLY JOHNSON ☆ONLY 3 HIGHER☆ HOUSTON OILERS ☆RARE☆ PSA 9 MINT | |
 |
$9.99 Time Remaining: 2h 25m Buy It Now for only: $9.99 |
| 1983 Topps 33 Jim McMahon Signed PSA 9 Rookie Card Auto Bears Brigham Young RC | |
 |
$149.00 Time Remaining: 2h 27m Buy It Now for only: $149.00 |
| 1966 Topps Funny Rings #17 Hole in Sole PSA 9 MINT 36938 | |
 |
$151.50 Time Remaining: 2h 27m Buy It Now for only: $151.50 |
| 1961 Topps CFL #53 Bronko Nagurski Jr. PSA 9 Hamilton Tiger-Cats - | |
 |
$269.00 Time Remaining: 2h 28m |
| 1985 Topps #327 Brian HOLLOWAY - PSA 9+++ Patriots | |
 |
$12.99 Time Remaining: 2h 28m Buy It Now for only: $12.99 |
| 1980 Topps #259 - Dave BEVERLY - PSA 9+++ Packers | |
 |
$14.99 Time Remaining: 2h 30m Buy It Now for only: $14.99 |
| 1978 TOPPS FOOTBALL CARD #478 DON McCAULEY GRADED PSA 9 | |
 |
$2.49 (2 Bids) Time Remaining: 2h 36m |
| 1980 Topps #116 - Lyle BLACKWOOD - PSA 9+++ Colts | |
 |
$9.99 Time Remaining: 2h 39m Buy It Now for only: $9.99 |
| 1980 Topps #109 - Tom BLANCHARD - PSA 9+++ Buccaneers | |
 |
$9.99 Time Remaining: 2h 40m Buy It Now for only: $9.99 |
| 1986 DAN HAMPTON TOPPS #22 BEARS PSA 9 | |
 |
$12.09 Time Remaining: 2h 42m Buy It Now for only: $12.09 |
| 1980 Topps #61 - Rocky BLEIER - PSA 9+++ Steelers | |
 |
$29.99 Time Remaining: 2h 42m Buy It Now for only: $29.99 |
| 1970 TOPPS SUPER GLOSSY #28 BOB GRIESE MIAMI DOLPHINS PSA 9 MINT | |
 |
$299.00 Time Remaining: 2h 44m Buy It Now for only: $299.00 |
| 1980 Topps #361 - Kim BOKAMPER - PSA 9+++ RC DOLPHINS | |
 |
$19.99 Time Remaining: 2h 46m Buy It Now for only: $19.99 |
| 1969 Topps #14 Dave Whitsell psa 9 Mint | |
 |
$46.95 Time Remaining: 2h 47m Buy It Now for only: $46.95 |
| 1980 Topps #103 - Luther BRADLEY - PSA 9+++ RC Lions | |
 |
$19.99 Time Remaining: 2h 48m Buy It Now for only: $19.99 |
| 1986 Topps #22 Dan HAMPTON - PSA 9+++ HOF Bears | |
 |
$19.99 Time Remaining: 2h 48m Buy It Now for only: $19.99 |
| 1980 Topps #84 - Mike BRAGG - PSA 9+++ Redskins | |
 |
$14.99 Time Remaining: 2h 50m Buy It Now for only: $14.99 |
| 1984 Topps #353 Roger Craig San Francisco 49ers RC Rookie PSA 9 MINT | |
 |
$2.30 (5 Bids) Time Remaining: 2h 55m |
| 1999 CURTIS MARTIN FINEST GOLD REFRACTOR #127 PSA 9 POP 1 (510) | |
 |
$28.49 Time Remaining: 2h 58m Buy It Now for only: $28.49 |
| 1986 Topps Jerry Rice Rookie Mint RC 49ers Football Potential PSA 9 | |
 |
$39.99 Time Remaining: 2h 59m |
| 1965 TOPPS BILL WHITE #190 PSA 9 MINT | |
 |
$85.00 Time Remaining: 2h 59m |
| 1970 Topps Randy Edmunds Miami Dolphins #34 Football Card PSA 9 MINT! | |
 |
$12.97 (3 Bids) Time Remaining: 2h 59m |
| 1989 Topps Traded Troy Aikman Card #70T PSA 9 Mint Rookie Dallas Cowboys HOF | |
 |
$2.29 (4 Bids) Time Remaining: 3h |
| 1999 TERRELL DAVIS FINEST GOLD REFRACTOR #100 PSA 9 POP 2 (511) | |
 |
$29.44 Time Remaining: 3h 3m Buy It Now for only: $29.44 |
| 1970 Topps Lee Roy Jordan #71 Dallas Cowboys PSA 9 (ST) MINT! | |
 |
$9.99 Time Remaining: 3h 4m |
| 1980 Topps #364 - Louis BREEDEN - PSA 9+++ Bengals (no 10s) | |
 |
$19.99 Time Remaining: 3h 4m Buy It Now for only: $19.99 |
| 1980 Topps #483 - Billy BROOKS - PSA 9+++ Bengals | |
 |
$14.99 Time Remaining: 3h 6m Buy It Now for only: $14.99 |
| 1976 Topps Football Card Randy Gradishar Rookie #257 PSA 9 Denver Broncos | |
 |
$25.35 (14 Bids) Time Remaining: 3h 9m |
| 1959 TOPPS BOB SHAW #159 PSA 9 MINT LOW POP | |
 |
$275.00 Time Remaining: 3h 11m |
| 1980 Topps #473 - Bill BRYAN - PSA 9+++ Broncos | |
 |
$14.99 Time Remaining: 3h 11m Buy It Now for only: $14.99 |
| 1980 Topps #514 - Cullen BRYANT - PSA 9+++ Rams (only one 10) | |
 |
$19.99 Time Remaining: 3h 13m Buy It Now for only: $19.99 |
| 1974 Topps Larry Csonka #31 PSA 9 Mint Dolphins All Pro HOF | |
 |
$169.00 Time Remaining: 3h 15m |
| 1980 Topps #251 - John BUNTING - PSA 9+++ Eagles | |
 |
$19.99 Time Remaining: 3h 15m Buy It Now for only: $19.99 |
| 1980 Topps #471 - Ken BURROUGH - PSA 9+++ Oilers | |
 |
$9.99 Time Remaining: 3h 16m Buy It Now for only: $9.99 |
| 1980 Topps #86 - Blair BUSH - PSA 9+++ Bengals | |
 |
$9.99 Time Remaining: 3h 18m Buy It Now for only: $9.99 |
| 1980 Topps #66 - Dexter BUSSEY - PSA 9+++ Lions | |
 |
$9.99 Time Remaining: 3h 23m Buy It Now for only: $9.99 |
| 1980 Topps #340 - Greg BUTTLE - PSA 9+++ Jets | |
 |
$9.99 Time Remaining: 3h 25m Buy It Now for only: $9.99 |
| JOE MONTANA 1990 Topps Tiffany PSA 9 RARE SP 3000 Made San Francisco 49ers HOF | |
 |
$139.99 Time Remaining: 3h 25m Buy It Now for only: $139.99 |
| 1986 Topps Stickers #64 Dwight CLARK & #214 Pat BEACH - PSA 9+++ RARE | |
 |
$7.49 Time Remaining: 3h 26m Buy It Now for only: $7.49 |
| 1986 Topps Stickers #32 Roy GREEN & #182 Vance JOHNSON - PSA 9+++ | |
 |
$8.49 Time Remaining: 3h 28m Buy It Now for only: $8.49 |
| 1999 Topps chrome refractor rookie Cade McNown PSA 9 Mint rookie | |
 |
$2.00 Time Remaining: 3h 28m |
| Tom Brady 2002 Topps Stadium Club #18 PSA 9 Mint Pop 13 Patriots MVP | |
 |
$26.99 Time Remaining: 3h 34m Buy It Now for only: $26.99 |
| 1986 Topps #18 Kevin BUTLER - PSA 9+++ RC Bears | |
 |
$14.99 Time Remaining: 3h 36m Buy It Now for only: $14.99 |
| 1978 PSA 9 Topps # 227 Ed Taylor Jets Football | |
 |
$11.99 Time Remaining: 3h 38m Buy It Now for only: $11.99 |
| 1978 PSA 9 Topps # 313 Terry Beeson Seahawks Football | |
 |
$14.99 Time Remaining: 3h 39m Buy It Now for only: $14.99 |
| 1989 Topps Football #323 Rod Woodson ROOKIE HOF PSA 9 MINT CENTERED | |
 |
$1.04 (2 Bids) Time Remaining: 3h 53m |
| 1989 Topps Football #293 Dan Marino HOF PSA 9 MINT CENTERED | |
 |
$0.99 (1 Bid) Time Remaining: 3h 53m |
| 2005 Topps Finest Football Rookie #121 Frank Gore PSA 9 MINT | |
 |
$18.01 (7 Bids) Time Remaining: 3h 53m |
| 1984 Topps #98 Marcus Allen Raiders HOF PSA 9 MINT | |
 |
$6.66 (4 Bids) Time Remaining: 3h 54m |
| 1986 Topps #307 Carlos CARSON - PSA 9+++ Chiefs | |
 |
$39.99 Time Remaining: 3h 55m Buy It Now for only: $39.99 |
| 1986 Topps #317 - Albert BENTLEY - PSA 9+++ Colts | |
 |
$24.99 Time Remaining: 3h 56m Buy It Now for only: $24.99 |
| 1978 TOPPS FOOTBALL CARD #478 DON McCAULEY GRADED PSA 9 NQ MLB BALTIMORE COLTS | |
 |
$5.78 Time Remaining: 3h 57m Buy It Now for only: $5.78 |
| 1977 Topps Football — Ahmad Rashad #359 — PSA 9 | |
 |
$41.99 Time Remaining: 3h 58m Buy It Now for only: $41.99 |
| 1985 Topps Walter Payton All Pro #33 PSA 9 Mint | |
 |
$175.00 (1 Bid) Time Remaining: 3h 59m |
| 2014 Topps Finest Sammy Watkins Rookie PSA 9 MINT | |
 |
$7.00 Time Remaining: 3h 59m Buy It Now for only: $14.14 |
| 1976 Topps #206 NFL PUNTING LEADERS PSA 9 MINT Ray Guy - Oakland RAIDERS LIONS | |
 |
$30.79 Time Remaining: 4h 1m Buy It Now for only: $30.79 |
| A.J. Green RC Topps Chrome PSA 9 Rookie looking left | |
 |
$9.99 Time Remaining: 4h 1m |
| 1977 Topps Football — Brian Baschnagel #525 — PSA 9 | |
 |
$21.99 Time Remaining: 4h 10m Buy It Now for only: $21.99 |
| 1986 Topps Stickers #273 Gary ANDERSON - PSA 9+++ Steelers (no 10s) | |
 |
$14.99 Time Remaining: 4h 13m Buy It Now for only: $14.99 |
| 05 Topps Finest RYAN FITZPATRICK Auto AUTOGRAPH RC Rookie X-FRACTOR PSA 9 MINT! | |
 |
$75.00 Time Remaining: 4h 20m Buy It Now for only: $75.00 |
| 1970 Topps #80 Fran Tarkenton PSA 9 (HoF Minnesota Vikings) | |
 |
$99.95 Time Remaining: 4h 22m Buy It Now for only: $99.95 |
| 1970 Topps Super Bart Starr HOF # 3 PSA 9 MINT | |
 |
$99.99 Time Remaining: 4h 24m |
| 1976 Topps Football Card #382 Horst Muhlmann PSA 9 | |
 |
$9.00 Time Remaining: 4h 26m Buy It Now for only: $9.00 |
| 1985 TOPPS #8 DOLPHINS VS STEELERS PSA 9 #2 | |
 |
$16.20 Time Remaining: 4h 27m Buy It Now for only: $16.20 |
| 1972 SUPER BOWL TOPPS #139 ROGER STAUBACH COWBOYS PSA 9 | |
 |
$274.99 Time Remaining: 4h 28m Buy It Now for only: $274.99 |
| 2014 Topps Chrome Green Refractor #150 Jimmy Garoppolo PSA 9 Gem Mint Rare RC | |
 |
$15.60 (1 Bid) Time Remaining: 4h 28m |
| 1978 Topps Football — John Stallworth #320 — PSA 9 | |
 |
$75.00 Time Remaining: 4h 30m Buy It Now for only: $75.00 |
| 1980 Topps #13 - Billy CAMPFIELD - PSA 9+++ Eagles | |
 |
$9.99 Time Remaining: 4h 35m Buy It Now for only: $9.99 |
Leave a Reply