The wonder of perfect timing in an IPO

I use the term IPO (Initial Public Offering) for cards in the same way that the term is used for stocks.  When Panini Certified came out this year I watched the first boxes being broken on youtube.  I've told that story before - boy sees insert, boy loves insert, boy must make insert set his own.

So on the first day of the Panini Certified release, the very first cards started to trickle onto ebay.  Right now, if you type 'Certified Imports' into ebay search engine - you get 50-60 hits for cards.  On day one, when I first typed that into ebay, there was still three listings.  And one of the listings just happened to be from an inexperienced seller. 

In short, I struck gold on day one.  First off, he had a one day auction.  For the card I bought, he should've been more patient and waited a week to put it at a 3 day listing ending on a Sunday.  Or if he couldn't wait to list it to the market, he should've made a 7 day listing.  My luck, he made a one day listing, and I was all over it.

First let me show you the back of the card.

Andrei Kirilenko, Mr. AK-47.  At first glance at the back of the card you would think that it's just a very short numbered parrallel of the Imports set.  But it's so much more than that.

I'm not a Jazz fan.  In fact, I can't stand the Jazz or AK.  But when I saw this card, I had to have it.  So without further ado, here's the front of this spectacular card....

Ok, I made you scroll a bit for dramatic effect.  So there was a bit of ado.  Still....here it is.

A 3 color, 4 break patch card.  And remember, this card was purchased on the first day the boxes were even being busted.  Any guesses on what I paid for this card?  A patch card, numbered to 25, being an international favorite sells for....well, more than what I paid.

$5.25

Seriously, I paid just over 5 bucks for this card.  I got a steal.  A genuine steal.  I've still not decided what to do with it.  Far be it from me to keep a Jazz card in my house - on purpose - for a long time.  I will either wait until playoffs are upon us and relist it - and I'll seriously sell this card for a bunch more than what I bought if for.  Or......OR.....I can hold onto it and keep it as a prize for a future contest.  I'm up to suggestions.  If you readers think that this card would be something you'd like to win (say around playoffs time) I'll hold onto it and I'll part with it in a contest.  Or, if people who read this aren't into having a Jazz patch, I'll sell it.  Or we could have a contest and you could win and and sell it yourselves.

We'll see.  What does bum me out though is that this is actually the very first patch I've ever owned.  And it's a Utah player.  Seems backwards.  So let me know what you guys think.

5 bucks.  Amazing.  Take that 5 buck box Barkley!