I’ll never forget where and when I pulled this. A little junky record store in Memphis that sold packs at the front counter. Was super proud of young me for taking such good care of the card when in 2021 it came back a PSA 10. Today it’s worth $100 on a good day.. but back then, as a 13yo, if you told me I had a $100 card in my hand.. that was like striking gold. It’s funny how these days a $100 card is viewed as practically nothing. To me, it’ll always be a grail.

Pickups from this past weekend

1997 Topps Kobe SGC from the Cape COD Sports Card Show

2001 Panini Prof. McGonagall Sticker from eBay

Have this “Rip it or Keep it” Judge. It’s tough not to rip it to see what’s inside? Auto? But this card has all the 99 elements. Judge #99, Card # 99, and /99. At this moment the only PSA 10!

3/3! Thank you @GrandSalami and @GrandSalamiPflu for your guidance once again! We’re not bad at this 😉

🎉QUEST COMPLETE🎉

After years of hunting across auctions, private deals, and late-night DMs... I’ve finally done the impossible:

😱Completed the 2013 Upper Deck Employee Exclusive Purple Precious Metal Gems set - ALL in perfect PSA 10 Gem Mint😱

This is arguably one of the hardest modern sets on the planet to finish in 10s.

Only 6 cards exist in the checklist (each /125) made exclusively for Upper Deck employees as a “thank you” from the late Richard McWilliam.

Never packed out, never sold in stores - this was the very first time PMGs were ever done in purple 🤯 (that electric violet just hits different).

These cards almost never surface, and finding clean PSA 10 examples? Near-impossible.

Many thought finishing this full set was straight up impossible.

Here’s the lineup of legends:

🟣 Tiger Woods - The GOAT of golf. 15 Majors, redefined the sport. One of Tiger’s most epic cards. (PSA 10 - Pop 5)

🟣 Rory McIlroy - 4-time Major champ, current world-beater, and Tiger’s heir apparent in many ways. (PSA 10 - Pop 6)

🟣 Michael Phelps - The most decorated Olympian ever. 23 Olympic golds. Literally the greatest swimmer who ever lived. (PSA 10 - Pop 8)

🟣 Mike Tyson – “Iron Mike,” the baddest man on the planet in his prime. Undisputed heavyweight terror. (PSA 10 - Pop 4)

🟣 Oscar De La Hoya - “The Golden Boy,” 11 world titles in six weight classes, boxing royalty. (PSA 10 - Pop 4)

🟣 Hulk Hogan – The face of professional wrestling’s golden era, Hulkamania ran wild and changed pop culture forever. (PSA 10 - Pop 4)

Six icons. Six purple PMGs. All PSA 10.

I’m beyond pumped (and a little relieved it’s over). 😂

This set is staying locked in the PC forever.

🔒Full set vaulted safely @altxyzofficial🔒

Shoutout to everyone who helped along the way with tips, trades, or just moral support, you know who you are.

What’s the hardest set you’ve ever completed (or are still chasing)?

Drop it below ⬇