ENDING SATURDAY: Webster’s Dictionary defines aficionado as “a person who likes, knows about, and appreciates a usually fervently pursued interest or activity.” In 1996, Pinnacle attempted to attract such cardboard devotees with their Pinnacle Aficionado set. The set was not successful, and ’96 was its only release year. The cards are nevertheless well designed, boasting a minimalist look compared to other, flashier issues of the era. They are, however, extremely condition sensitive. Notes BaseballCardPedia: “All cards are printed on a 20-point thick cardstock that, unfortunately, was easily chipped. The chipping is especially evident on the black backs of the base cards making truly mint condition cards tough to find.” The PSA Population Report backs this up: only one copy of the base Derek Jeter card has ever graded Mint 9, with not one single copy of its identically designed Artists Proof parallel grading the same. Imagine, then, finding this rookie season card of Derek Jeter not in Mint, but in Gem Mint condition, and also one that was the rare Artist’s Proof parallel. Add to it the fact that this card is a Pop 1 in the PSA Population Report, and we have the recipe for some big dollar bids! Ironically, the offered card will today interest the precise target audience of its failed distribution two decades ago, but in a way never quite imagined. With its next seven closest competitors all graded PSA 8 NM-MT--a full three levels down the grading ladder!--who knows if this isnt the only PSA 10 Gem Mint that will ever exist. Very strongly recommended, this may be the best under-the-radar PSA-graded Jeter rookie card in existence.
Posted on: Wed, 24 Sep 2014 00:45:08 +0000