[vincesanity14]

Love those Epic Sigs Nate, right now those would be my fav....might attempt it if nothing else blows me away

[cygtr]

My vote would be for either 2001 Score Select Franchise Tags or 2001 Leaf Quantum All Millennium Materials Auto.

[jdworley]

Start with the list posted by bloomis. Those are all great non-rookie sets that will retain value. I would add 2000 Donruss Preferred Pen Pals and 2002 Topps Ring of Honor sets as well. Donruss Classics autograph sets are always fun and can be inexpensive. Pick an older set because the cards do not retain value after a few months and you can find some of them for dirt cheap.

I would avoid anything from Upper Deck post-2001. They seem to be obsessed with including hot rookies in every product. The checklists look like minefields a few years later.

The ultimate challenge you are looking for is the 97 Legends set. But if you are just starting, I'm not sure you will be able to complete it. Upper Deck confirmed there were as few as 10 copies for a couple of the cards. As heavily collected as that set is, you may never see those cards come up for auction. Everyone drools over the Payton, but I swear it is next to impossible to find the Butkus or Jim Brown cards.

Another possibility is to pick a vintage set. I started working on the 1962 Topps set about a year ago, and I've had a blast with it. I'm only about 30% done, but its been a great challenge and a completely different collecting experience. I've picked up some big name players so far, but this is my most prized possession from the set so far:



Jarred