relics vs. an actual game worn jersey

[jonefriedman]

Hi all,

I am a big hockey fan and have been building a memorabilia collection over the last few years, collecting signed pucks, game used pucks and game used jerseys as well as recently getting into cards. I love the design and the autos on the cards but was wondering about the appeal of the relics. Hockey has without a doubt the best jerseys. And, in my opinion, have the jerseys with the most wear. Regular season jerseys for second line guys for most teams can be found for less than $500-600. Now I know that isn't a Crosby or a Toews, who by their talent and their market, have jerseys in the $5k-10k range, but why pay $600 from three boxes of panini prime to get a bit of a jersey crest, when you can get a shield, a crest and a nameplate? Please don't take this as knocking relics as they are very cool in some cases and I just saw a Stan Mikita card with the four feathers that I just about lost my mind over but I just have been wondering what everyone else thought..

thanks,
Jon

[Riverdome]

As a jersey collector myself I agree that card relics don't make alot of sense. But then again the experience of collecting cards is vey different. Much easier to run through 100 different relics than to pull out 100 jerseys, if you enjoy both why not cards?

My bigger issue is the cutting up of vintage jerseys. I like ITG products and support them with my $$ but the jersey collector in me wishes they wouldn't cut up classic sweaters. Then again I have exactly zero chances of owning a collection of classic Red Wings full jerseys but thanks to ITG I can have multiple relics all on one card.

[chris_ac]

It's the chance to own the relic cards of guys like Crosby and Toews as you mentioned. I collect Kopitar, but his game used jersey goes for $2500. I certainly don't have that kind of money to lay down on one full jersey, but can buy a bunch of relic cards for that price over several months. Same principle goes for Crosby, Toews, Ovechkin, Stamkos, etc. Super sweet relic cards are way more affordable than a full gamer.