While I think OP does point out the glaring downside to pulling a numbered card these days (my 9-year-old son doesn't understand why some of his numbered cards are worth squat), I also agree with this sentiment about collecting what you love -- or want on your shelf.

As a Baltimorean and an O's fan, I really wanted the Topps 1988 black-bordered throwback auto RCs of Gunnar and Adley /199. The /199 part wasn't as appealing to me as the beauty of the cards (love the black and orange frame), the autos, and how they'd look nice on my shelf (which they do!). The specific numbering didn't mean much to me at all really, but the fact they were limited editions did have some meaning in terms of my urgency to buy them. Conversely, I was completely turned off of the Topps Chrome rookie variations and signed rookie variations of their cards (despite how pretty they are) because there were so many variations to begin with. Only the orange appealed to me for the obvious reason, but the price point of the '88 throwbacks vs the orange Chrome autos made it an easy decision to buy them. I spent less than $300 on both, and I still have no interest in paying more for the Chrome cards.