Which Type Should I Start a Collection For?
Economics forum
Posted on Feb. 10, 2015, 12:52 p.m. by ZooGambler
There are collections on collections of Planeswalkers or Angels or Hydras or Completed Sets and on. My question is in the long run, which is more sought out by other collectors? The plan is that I'm probably going to begin a collection now, and slowly build it as the years go on and when I have kids I'll sell that collection to another collector for money for a car, college money, or something later on. Which should I collect? Any suggestions? Of course I could just start a savings account but this could be a fun thing on the side that I'll have more incentive to build and keep over the years instead of a savings account that, I'll be honest, would probably give up on and splurge spend the money.
ducttapedeckbox says... #3
Foil fetches would be cool and somewhat easy to start right now.
February 10, 2015 1:10 p.m.
CrovaxTheCursed says... #5
Definitely Power 9, Fetches, and Dual Lands. Also the Moxes. Really the most important thing in the game of Magic is land. No deck can do anything without land (counting out landless dredge and other janky decks like that ofc). I'm personally building a collection of all the most commonly played non-basic lands in the game, and eventually all of them. I'm a long ways off, but to me those will be the most resounding cards as the years go passing by.
But as it was stated, don't rely on Magic cards as a sound investment for college funds or a car. Buy silver. Period. When the dollar takes a dive, silver is going to skyrocket. Get gold if you can, but that's already up in price, and silver will be much more tradeable and will allow you to purchase the more basic things you will need. Gold will get you that car though, as well as a whole plot of land. But for the money, go with silver. Historically, silver stays at roughly 1/16th the price of gold. Right now, it is so far below that ratio, it's not even funny. Best to get it while it's still around $20/oz because it could very easily shoot to $100/oz in the near future, or more.
February 10, 2015 3:08 p.m.
capt_pantsless says... #6
Magic cards are a terrible investment - there's a huge risk of them losing nearly all of their value if the hobby collapses in 10-20 years. Don't sink tons of cash into them expecting for the whole lot to continuously increase in value. There's better investments out there if you're looking to save for college.
I mean, if you've got a time-machine, going back the the Alpha era and buying a bunch of the power-9 is a great idea
February 10, 2015 3:36 p.m.
Epochalyptik says... #7
People collect Angels or Hydras or whatever out of interest, not for economic reasons. Nobody buys collections of terrible bulk rares that happen to share a creature type.
If you're actually interested in collecting cards as an economic venture, this is what I would do (and, in fact, it is what I have done):
- Start small. Learn to spec on cards in new sets and trade fringe Standard staples for mainstream staples.
- Move to Modern value. Trade Standard-only staples into Standard/Modern staples and then trade into more Modern staples from there.
- Diversify your investment by going for Modern and eternal staples of varying kinds. Pick up some popular creatures, the shocks, the fetches, ABUR duals, key artifacts, etc.
- If you want more security, move most of your stuff into ABUR duals. They're more like bonds whereas Standard and some Modern staples are more like stocks; bonds are safer and slowly appreciate, but stocks offer the potential for spikes and cash-outs.
- If you're interested in P9, do a LOT of research on how to spot fakes, what wear means for value, etc. Most of the people dealing in P9 know exactly what it's worth, and they're going to make you pay up to buy in.
I tend to stay away from P9 because it's harder to move, there's more concern about forgeries, and they're just generally not available. Stick with smaller chunks of eternal value.
Also, get really good at speccing and trading. Avoid investing more money in the game; try to trade up all the time.
February 10, 2015 3:51 p.m.
PreZchoICE1 says... #9
Planeswalkers or like another user suggested Lands. You'll never have trouble moving lands.
February 10, 2015 7:39 p.m.
SpartanCEL says... #10
Like everyone said lands lands lands, I just got 2 Wooded Foothills for 7.40 each on amazon (is that low or just me? They say they shipped so hopefully they're good) I actually plan to use them but if I had a good amount of money I'd get more. But go with Epochalyptik's, he generally know's what's up:p
February 10, 2015 8:21 p.m.
Epochalyptik says... #11
For reference, the above method turned a gradual $4,000 (approx.; effective is probably $1,500-2,000 because I spent a good deal on very old cards that went directly into decks) investment into a $15,000 collection.
GeminiSpartanX says... #2
power 9. If you're talking about using it to buy a car or put kids through college, that's the only collection worth investing in. Just gotta hope that magic doesn't tank for some reason before then lol. But in all honesty if you want to plan for your future, a savings account or retirement fund is better than magic cards. Plus more liquidable since you have to find a buyer(s) for them later on when you do want to cash out.
February 10, 2015 1:04 p.m.