[TheBlueMarvel]

In my estimation, a combination of factors lead to the phenomenon of a wildly fluctuating cost spectrum for Legends in the secondary market.

Of course participation in aficionado sites like the Ark drive interest playing a pivitol role in demand. These websites function as a 'meet-up' for fans of the industry - for better or worse. Hyping and influencing; as much a labor of love as they are an adjunct profit model, dependent on success of design/implementation/created culture/etc.

Focusing in a bit closer, there are threads like this one that serve as secondary and tertiary (glorified) shopping guides replete with 'user-reviews', testimonial/word of mouth advertising in the form of amateur/unpaid photography and commentary, and sourcing tips.

Then there's product scarcity (actual or perceived - deliberate or organically shortsighted) promoting 'panic-buying' and driving much of the obscene spending. I see this as being largely resultant of a consumer class that struggles with issues of immediate gratification.

There is also FOMO and the drive many have internalized to be the 'first in line' to have something. Incessant marketing and teasers on social media are principal to feeding this hysteria, as well. This sort of insidious marketing has become a staple in video games, entertainment, toys and pretty much anything that appeals to the male 12-35 demographic.

Finally, but not at all the least of which is everyone's favorite boogeyman - the scalper. The fear alone of this elusive mythic beast - sight-unseen - is enough to drive many batshit.

There are other factors, I'm sure, but these satisfy my understanding of the inconsistencies of Legends secondary pricing.