ShieldAgent

I've found lots of 30-cent variants in generic lots I've bought on EBay, and I'm always surprised to find a random 30-center in a long run of books. Often, it's just one or two books, but I've found complete sets of ASM, Daredevil, Defenders, etc when buying sight-unseen runs on EBay. But I have NEVER, EVER, EVER found a random 35-center in any lots I've purchased. Not even once, and as other have stated, these are exponentially harder to find than the 30-cent variants. I purchased this ebay lot in April due to the obvious undisclosed 30-center. I was shocked to receive the lot and discover an undisclosed 35-center! (worship) the irony of this post is killing me. thanks wayne! Was the 35 the MSH2 or MSH3?

X-men 100 is a variant of the circle price type

I think we all know what he means, but I also think he's incorrect. As I've stated before, and others have too, I purchased a ton of comics on EBay between 1998 and 2004, from all over the US and Canada. One of my primary methods of doing so was to find larger runs and lots of BA comics, usually without a photo and try to get a steal. I was not looking for variants, just a good deal on some BA books. When received and looked through, most of these had no price variants at all, but of those that did, 100% of these were 30-cent variants and I have never opened up a "general lot/run" package of comics and found even a single 35-cent variant. I've found some via searching, but we're talking about random, unseen lots and large runs of Bronze comics. From all my "sight unseen lot" purchases from those years, somewhere between 30-40 had 30-centers, some with full runs, while ZERO had 35-cent variants. Those stats tell me a lot about the rarity of these books. I am not sure what I said that was incorrect. One thing is for sure, it is impossible for me to dispute your unsubstantiated stats. I already told you that I take you at your word. So, I will just concede to the fact that you agree with me that 35 cent variants are more rare than 30 cent variants based upon your observations and past purchases. And, unless I missed something, you also agree, that like me, you do not know the print runs of any variant.

I've looked for these price variants for years on EBay, and went hog-wild from about 1999-2004 or so and I can say without reservation that the 35-cent variants are exponentially rarer than their 30-cent counterpart. It's not even open to discussion, and I've probably received more 30-centers in random lots (sight unseen) than 35-centers that I've searched on purpose for and bought. That goes totally against your logic, since 30-centers are easier to spot and shouldn't just be included with generic lots or issue runs, right? you are right, it is hard to discuss the statements you made above. I know you are one of the original variant hunters, and were way ahead of the curve. That said, I will take your word that you have bought random lots that had 30 cent variants in it. All I can tell you is that random shot has never happened to me, I know when a lot has variants prior to pulling the trigger. I have bought lots with 30 centers. The average ebay seller does not know or care about variants, they just want to get rid of the comics. Like I said before, I have no doubt that the 35 cent variants are more rare than 30 cent variants. I also think the test of time will continue to support this.

FD- Sandro finished the 30 centers, and we cannot forget Darth and Metarog. Cosmic only needs a few and I know one hoarder that is two books away from a second set of 30 centers...

FD- Sandro finished the 30 centers, and we cannot forget Darth and Metarog.

I still think that letter is one of the neatest finds. I wonder if Mr Brodsky or anyone else at Marvel at the time knows the answer. I wish someone knew and would share the information.

could be even worse than that. we may never know for sure.

No thank you. My copies are good enough. You have now cleared up another question though. Sad, cause I was hoping you were a variant collector.

there you go again. the ones I bought were in the Fine to Very Fine range with great eye appeal, and no real defects in the $40 to $60 range. This was also 2 years or so ago.

The numbers over at STL are a best guess estimate based on tracking information for the past couple years. I am sure some of those numbers will be revised as time goes on, and more issues surface. You have also clarified another thing--Michigan was a 30 cent distribution area. No wonder you see 30 centers. The same is true for here in Baltimore. 35 centers are even more rare in places they were not distributed. The last time I looked at Motorcity's scooby doo, it had a $3500 price tag. They also put it on ebay, with no bids. The last time I saw them at a show, they had a shortbox of raw 35's under the table and sold me 4 or 5 that I needed at the time. I think they are very cool. Did you buy the 30 centers that you found?

I believe this also. I think that over time this will hold true.

OK Jerry, I will play along Ok, there are two others, but they seemed to drop off the map. If you want we can count daffy06 and 4Gemworks. I wasn't counting get rich quick speculators. Are you trying for a complete set of either price variant, Jerry? not sure what a shmo is, do they speculate on variants? sorry for not being clear enough. I never said that the guy that found twenty MSA 3's had them graded. But I believe the 9.4, 9.2, and 9.0's came from that find. I never said 35 cent variants are not rare. There is more to consider though. First, do you know the print runs of any 30 or 35 cent variant? I do not, nor have I met anyone who does. Though unlikely, who knows if the print runs or percentages were exactly the same? 30 cent variants were documented first, and have been on the radar longer. I also mentioned that their visibility makes them more prolific just by their nature. Why you have seen more 30 centers than 35 is a mystery to me. Perhaps you live closer to a 30 cent distribution area than a 35 cent distribution area. I know I do. For the record, of the over 200 35 cent variants in my possession, I have only found two in longboxes. One was a 2001, the other was a Kid Colt. Both found in Baltimore. The 2001 was at a show, and the Kid Colt was in a comic store. You will probably continue to have a lack of luck if you keep on being rude about it. When it comes to finding variants, money helps, but friends are much more important.

we can speculate all day long, but in the end it is just speculation. One thing is for sure, 30 cent variants are easy to spot. I believe this leads to more recognition, and also more sales listings. Thus the perception is they are more common. Maybe some are, but compared to their regular issue counterparts, they can be truely difficult to locate. 35 cent variants are a different animal. They are difficult to spot, especially in digital pictures and crappy ebay scans. The perception is that they are much more rare. But I ask, who is actually looking for these things??? Canickus, Bonas0123, and myself? That is not enough to generate interest in looking for most of the issues that comprise the set. One last point- Marvel Super Action 3 was once considered to be a very rare 35 cent variant. I felt fortunate enough to have a copy. Then a seller in NY found 20 of them that graded out all the way up to 9.4. This makes two points-rare is relative, and high grade may exist in quantity.

two notes on the doctor strange: notice on the orange version you can see the "still only 25" I only know of 4 copies-mine, cosmic-spider-man, metarog, and the guy who brought this variant variant to our attention.

orange: yellow:

I will find the doc strange scans to post here in a minute.

This should not get lost in the mix. This is a real variant variant like the Captain America 212 no banner 35 cent variant, and no variant set is complete without them. Have and pictures for comparison? Yes I have both. here is a pic of the captain america 212 from stl: I know of three copies: cosmic-spider-mans copy (pictured above), mine, and one that just sold on Clink that was, I believe, a graded 4.5

This should not get lost in the mix. This is a real variant variant like the Captain America 212 no banner 35 cent variant, and no variant set is complete without them.

that was thought to be a super tough book until the ebay seller spear something-or-other showed a picture of 10 of them that he found in a collection he bought. cool book though

three to five sounds like a prison sentence to me. I hope your prediction is not true for me, as alot of the fun is currently gone.

yo! wassup slym gonna sell all your X-men 9.8 variants?

thank you for the quick payment. I really hope you enjoy the books. (thumbs u

They have had the book for a long time and take it to shows with a very similar price tag. I am not commenting on how much they ask for such a rare novelty, but rather saying that if it was a super good deal, it would have been long gone years ago.

I just found out the grades on both of my Hulk 30 cent variants. Hulk 198 CGC 9.8 30 cent variant. None in 9.6. This is the only one of its kind Hulk 199 CGC 9.6 30 cent variant. Also one of a kind and top census copy Will post scans tomorrow night. Were those the ones from me? Yep. (thumbs u those were my undercopies... you should have bought the 201 Is it too late yea sorry, sold to another boardmember