This post is inspired by a PM I received from FCB member CAROLINA BOSOX who asked for advice on buying a Pujols RC Auto with a budget of $400-600. This range encompasses most of Pujols's 2001 Autos. Obviously the Bowman Chrome and some of the more limited DLP stuff is much more expensive, but there are plenty of solid options out there on this budget. Here's a look at the cards you could get in this range with some advice on what to look for and which may be good buys.
1. SPx /1500- This is a pretty solid card and falls towards the lower end of the price range, but there are a lot of potential problems with it. First, the SPx is one of the most trimmed cards in the industry. For this reason, I would never buy a raw copy. While that doesn't necessarily prevent you from getting a trimmed card (some do get past PSA/BGS), it's much better to have something slabbed than get a raw copy turned down. Due to the trimming issue, I'd also pay a premium for a card in the old BGS label (subgrades on back). The second problem with this card is the autograph. The stock/pen combo is terrible and most of the autographs are bubbly. This has led to some sellers tracing over or erasing the original auto and replacing it with a more solid signature. Here is a copy of the card I have owned, note the signature quality:
Now compare it to this one:
The SPx is really nice because it is an on card signature. The drawbacks are the high print run, trimming, and bad/altered autograph. BGS 8.5-9 copies can be had for $475-575. I would only buy a graded one, but I would look to some other options first.
2. Donruss Signature Series /330- I covered this card in the blog's first ever post available here. I maintain this is an extremely underrated card. There are only 330 made! That's almost 20% of the SPx print run and about 60% of the Bowman Chrome print run. The problem with this card is the foil borders are very prone to damage. That said, expect to pay a premium for anything graded BGS 8.5 or higher. A raw copy could be had for around $400, while graded copies would be closer to $600.
3. Fleer Legacy /300- In my opinion, this is the nicest Pujols RC auto. Due to the Fleer Bankruptcy, unsigned copies of this card got into the wrong hands and 90% of these are counterfeits. What makes matters worse is that some eBay sellers are now selling what appears to be an authentic copy but is actually just a photocopy. Some of the photocopied cards are even in PSA holders so EXERCISE EXTREME CAUTION when purchasing this card. I actually fell for one of these scams, but I was able to get my money back. Here is my guide to identify counterfeits. I also have a database with each serial number and whether or not it contains an authentic autograph. I will be updating this soon, but here is the original post from December.
4. eTopps /32- This could be considered a buyback because the card was offered on eTopps in 2005. I consider it a rookie because it is a signed 2001 card. It is a very attractive card and is signed on card. The last copy traded for $800 but there are several listed as BIN/Best Offer on eBay as I write this. You may be able to sneak this in for $600, but I think $700 is more realistic. For those unfamiliar with the eTopps autograph program, each card is one of the originally issued eTopps cards signed by the athlete at a later date. eTopps offers the autographs at an IPO to users with the card to be signed in their portfolio. The Pujols was IPOed for $199 and traded on the secondary market for up to $1,500 post allocation. I have never seen forgeries of this card, but it wouldn't surprise me. Luckily eTopps has a registry where you can check the COA number.
5. Donruss Class of 2001 /100, Donruss Classics AU- Two more underrated DLP cards. I am a big fan of the DLP base RCs with the sticker autos slapped on them. The back of the Class of 2001 will show numbering /625 (the complete run of the base RC), but only the first 100 copies are the signed parallel. Expect to pay $500-550. The Classics is unnumbered but follows the same formula as the Class of 2001. Expect to pay $400-550. Both are somewhat condition sensitive, particularly around the edges. The Classics is more sensitive.
6. Topps Reserve Uncirculated /555- This is the cheapest option. These cards will go as cheap as $275 and won't cost more than $350. It's not a very attractive card at all. Basically, it's a PSA graded Topps Reserve card and instead of the regular PSA slip at the top of the holder, there is a piece of paper signed by Albert. This was actually my first Pujols AU RC, but I have since upgraded to the much nicer Reserve Rookie Autograph. I'm fairly certain that 554 of the cards were graded PSA 8 and 1 was graded PSA 9.
7. Topps Finest, Bowman, SP Authentic Chirography- I'll group these three together as well. The Finest will compete with the Topps Reserve for the cheapest option as most go for around $300. It's an awful card though because the pens used were terrible and most of the signatures have faded. As with the SPx, this has led many sellers to trace or redo the signature so be very skeptical of any card with a nice signature. I would NEVER buy this card. The Bowman and SP Authentic run slightly higher and are very gradeable. I am not a particularly big fan of either. Both are on card and the SP Authentic has a large space for Albert's signature. Expect to pay $400-500 for raw copies with graded increasing from there.
I hope that's a nice rundown. It gets a little more complicated at the higher price points, but there are certainly options available for those with a decent budget. I would rank the top three as Fleer Legacy, Donruss Signature Series, and Class of 2001/Classics.
