UD Ultimate vs UD Ice Rookies /99

[braden]

not true, Debut patches/jerseys/ auto jersey and patches, those are NOT rc variations, those are just rookies INSERT sets, the main rookie sets only have 2 variations, Rookie patch auto /35 + Rookie auto shield 1/1, which Ice ALSO had these rc variation, with its Ice Premieres auto patch /10

I think Ice is a product for set collectors, and rookies collectors, for Ultimate, rookies are more like an "add on" to the product

but for this year, Crown Royale Rookie Silhouettes auto rc /99 takes the cake

I'm aware of that however my point is that there are MORE instances where those players (rookies) have other cards in Ultimate. True they're insert sets, BUT there's 4 of them and not all that hard to find with much higher print runs.

The Ice patch variation is limited to 10 and much, much harder to find.

[Inferno]

I agree with the sentiment that it dates back to 05-06 Ice - IIRC someone once did the math and it's stupid hard to pull an /99 RC. Something like 1:9 or even 1:17 cases. People spent a lot of money going after the Crosby or Ovechkin RCs and came up with a lot of cases where the best they did was a couple /499'ers.

In recent years Ice RC's /99 have got a bit easier to pull, but even then how does that explain the popularity of a non-auto, non-memorabilia RC over a high-end hard-signed RC?

I simply chalk it up to Ultimate Collection being something akin to SP Game Used in terms of its rookies: it's a high-priced product where getting a rookie card isn't the main attraction. There's nothing unique about the RC in Ultimate - you can get hard-signed RC's in numerous other products, albeit not ones where you get 4 cards for $120. Sure, they're /99 but if you had the ability to only get one /99 RC a year, it ain't gonna be Ultimate, not when The Cup and Dominion are around. Ultimate is the warm-up product to The Cup and is treated as such.

Why Ice, then? They're cool-looking cards, they grade very well, and they're the first SSP RCs to show up during the release calendar. They strike while the iron is hot. The only thing hot when Ultimate comes out to market is the weather.

Well put Richard, except for your last comment on the weather. You and I both know what the weather has been like here in NS

I'm not a rookie collector but if I was I would favor the Ultimate RC over the Ice RC simply because of the autograph. My taste in this hobby lies with game-used and autographs, to me an Ice rookie is just a piece of acetate with a number stamped on it. You don't get the connection you do from a hard-signed autograph or a jersey piece, but that's just the opinion of a collector who has only been in this hobby during a time when memorabilia and autographs are the standard.

[kovyheater]

I'm not a rookie collector but if I was I would favor the Ultimate RC over the Ice RC simply because of the autograph.

For me, I think this is the most accurate statement when it comes to collecting rookie cards.

If I wanted a plain, basic rookie card, I would go after a Young Gun.
If I wanted an Auto'd RC, I go after UD Ultimate /299 or /99.
If I wanted a Patch/Auto RC, then The Cup.

I've been happy collecting UD Ultimate because I think they are very undervalued and under-appreciated. I like that about these cards. I am not overpaying for an auto RC and they are much more limited than the /999 SPA FW RCs. They also seem to hold their value over time, if not go up, like the Stamkos UD Ultimate /99.

I remember buying a Stamkos Ultimate /99 for $120 and then flipped it for $400. Now they are easily selling in the $550 range or higher. Although I am not an advocate of flipping cards, it is nice to see a card go up in value over time as opposed to the usual decline.

I love Auto RCs. It is the closest I think this hobby gets to the player - much more than a Patch Auto IMO because of the photo shoot patches and the thickness of the cards. I love the that UD Ultimate is just a card that is Autographed and limited to less than 400 copies on most rookies.

Although, I do like the look of UD Ice in some issues, the acetate appeal just doesn't outweigh the autograph nature of UD Ultimate.

[kovyheater]

Just look at these beauties. How does UD Ice even compare?

[Habitforming]

If those were all Ice rc's would the statement be the other way around? lol

There are just some things that hold value for the 05/06 reasons that were pointed out in a well thought out post, but there are also some that just don't make sense.

SPA vs SPX rc's SPA is valued higher with double the copies and no GU ("event used")

YG's VS Black diamond rc : YG's are more common, thought to be in the range of 5000 copies and yet have more value over a very condition sensitive set with a lower print run


and maybe even Dominion VS the Cup after this year?

the point is, sometimes it's just something that is comfortable to collectors... kinda like home cooking when you've been away at college

[RGM81]

Just look at these beauties. How does UD Ice even compare?

All very nice, sure. But would you rather have any one of those cards, or one of the 4 Crosby Ice RCs that graded a perfect 10? Amazingly, too, 20 of the 99 Ovechkins have a perfect grade.

[kovyheater]

All very nice, sure. But would you rather have any one of those cards, or one of the 4 Crosby Ice RCs that graded a perfect 10? Amazingly, too, 20 of the 99 Ovechkins have a perfect grade.

i guess it depends on what you are looking for.

i like the chase of finding a high quality card and where they are little tougher to find in good shape.

acetate cards are by design meant to be in perfect shape. they were also never handled by the athlete.

each autographed ultimate card was handled by the player. that's pretty cool to me and the reason why i covet hard signed autos over an acetate card that came straight from the company.

[Inferno]

All very nice, sure. But would you rather have any one of those cards, or one of the 4 Crosby Ice RCs that graded a perfect 10? Amazingly, too, 20 of the 99 Ovechkins have a perfect grade.

If all of them graded a 10 then none of them would really stand out, they would all be worth the same.