Author Archives: Kevin Brexit

WHERE CAN I SELL MY BASEBALL CARDS FOR CASH NEAR ME

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One of the most convenient options is to sell your baseball cards to a local card shop. Almost every major city has at least one or two shops that specialize in buying, selling, and trading sports cards. They will be able to give you an instant cash offer for your collection based on the condition and value of the individual cards. Selling to a local card shop is very easy, as they will simply evaluate your cards on the spot and pay you cash for them. You usually won’t get top dollar since the shop needs to make a profit when they resell the cards. But it’s a good option if you just want a simple transaction without a lot of hassle.

Another choice is to take your cards to a card show or card convention in your area. These are events, usually on weekends, where dozens or even hundreds of card dealers come together in one location to buy, sell, and trade cards. It’s a good opportunity to get a sense of the current market values for your cards by seeing what other dealers are offering for similar cards. You can take your entire collection around to various dealers at the show and get offers from multiple people, which increases the chances of getting top market value. Some negotiation may be required. The upside is you can potentially make more money this way than selling to a local shop, but it does involve more time and effort on your part.

If you have very valuable rare cards in your collection with individual values of $50 or more, your best option is to consign them to an established auction house. The two biggest sports card auctioneers are PWCC Marketplace and Goldin Auctions. They will feature high-end individual cards or complete collections on their online marketplaces. As the consignor, you would ship your valuable cards to the company and they will promote the auction, handle all bidding and transaction processes, and securely ship the cards to the buyers. For their services, the auction house will take a percentage (usually 10-20%) of the final sale price as their commission. This approach takes more time but you have a chance to get the absolute highest prices for your best cards since they are exposed to a global collector base through internet bidding.

Another method is to list your valuable individual cards or complete collection on a popular online sports card marketplace like eBay or COMC (Collectors Universe). You can set minimum bid prices and handle shipping yourself to buyers. The upside is you have access to the huge worldwide collector community on these sites. You need to be very careful with packaging/shipping to avoid damage or loss in transit. Also you’ll have to price the cards competitively to get interest and factor in the site’s transaction fees, which are usually around 13%. It may take time for high-value items to sell but it allows you to cast a wide net for buyers.

And finally, if you have a true star card like a rare rookie card of Babe Ruth, Mickey Mantle, or other legendary player, your best option would be to consign it to a huge national auction house like Heritage Auctions. They specialize in premiere collectibles and rarest of the rare vintage cards that could realistically sell for $10,000 or more. A single card with that kind of potential value is worth exposing to their huge national and international collector network who spend big money on the true ultra-premium vintage pieces. Their commission percentage is higher at around 18-20% but you have the opportunity to maximize the price for a true crown jewel card through their name, promotion and trust within the high-end market.

For convenience and speed of cash in hand, a local card shop is the way to go for most collections. If you have time and want to possibly get more, attend a local card show. Consign rare individual pieces $50+ to PWCC or Goldin. List modest valuation cards on eBay/COMC. And for true star cards, Heritage Auctions is your best platform for maximizing price potential. Selling condition, current market, and value of specific cards should guide your choice of selling venue. I hope this overview of different options helps you choose the best approach to get the most money for your baseball cards near you. Let me know if you need any clarification or have additional questions!

ARE ONYX BASEBALL CARDS WORTH ANYTHING

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Onyx was a short-lived baseball card manufacturer that was in business from 1990-1991. During their brief time producing cards, Onyx inserted packs and boxes into the collecting market alongside the established leaders like Topps, Donruss, and Fleer. Due to their short print run and lack of brand recognition, Onyx cards are quite scarce today. This scarcity does make their cards intriguing to some collectors. Whether Onyx cards actually hold monetary value depends on a few key factors.

To understand the worth of Onyx cards, it’s important to know about the company’s history and place in the late 80s/early 90s baseball card market. Onyx was established by entertainment executive George Grief and sought to compete with the major card companies. They had agreements with MLB Properties and the MLB Players Association to use team logos and player likeness on their cards. Onyx released cards in 1990 and 1991 featuring current major leaguers as the flagship part of their offerings. They also had oddball sets like turn-back-the-clock cards showing players from past eras.

Despite having the licenses, Onyx faced an uphill battle against the established brands that had built up collector trust and loyal fan followings over decades. Distribution of Onyx products was also limited compared to Topps, Donruss, etc. Many retail outlets declined to carry yet another baseball card brand. Without wider availability, it was difficult for Onyx to gain traction among the collector base. The early 1990s marked the tail end of the junk wax era when overproduction had saturated the market. Collectors were more selective about what new cards and companies they supported.

After just two years, Onyx ceased operations in 1991 amid struggling sales. Their short print run combined with lack of broader popularity has made Onyx cards some of the scarcer issues from the late 80s-early 90s period. That scarcity does not directly translate to high monetary value for most Onyx cards in the current market. There are a few key reasons why:

Reputational issues – As an unestablished brand during the junk wax era, Onyx never developed the collector goodwill of the bigger companies. Some skepticism remains about their collectibility long-term.

Condition concerns – Due to their short time on the market, Onyx cards tend not to have been cared for as meticulously as issues fromestablished brands. Higher-grade specimens are tougher to come by.

Overproduction elsewhere – While Onyx editions were more limited than contemporaries, the late 80s/early 90s period overall saw immense overproduction that has depressed values across the board.

Niche appeal – The scarce Onyx issues tend to be more attractive to niche collectors pursuing complete runs or oddball sets rather than the general population.

Alternative investments – Many collectors in recent decades have put more emphasis on vintage cards or star rookie cards rather than lesser-known 1990s brands like Onyx when building baseball collections.

So while the scarcity of Onyx cards makes them novel, that alone does not guarantee price premiums in the marketplace. The top rookies, stars and more historically significant Onyx cards can carry values of $10-50 or more in high grades. Most run-of-the-mill common player issues are unlikely to fetch more than a few dollars even in pristine condition. True high-end Onyx cards that could exceed $100 are exceptionally rare. Unless a collector has a specific focus on the Onyx sets, there are generally more lucrative investment options from the same era. While the short printing makes Onyx cards a interesting niche in the market, their lack of brand prestige and weaker player selection means high values are elusive for most issues from the company overall. Scarcity does not necessarily equate to profitability long-term as a collectible investment.

While Onyx baseball cards have an aura of intrigue and scarcity due to the company’s brief history, most issues do not carry high monetary value today. Their lack of brand recognition, product distribution challenges, and release during the oversaturated late 80s/early 90s landscape make Onyx a second-tier collectible investment compared to the giants of that era like Topps and Donruss. Only the most significant Onyx rookie cards, stars or oddball sets tend to cross the $100 threshold. But for niche collectors pursuing complete sets, some Onyx cards hold more value as curiosities than financial assets. The bottom line is scarcity alone does not make a profitable collectible, as issues like reputation, condition, and overall player selection still greatly impact demand and pricing long-term.

HOW DO I KNOW MY BASEBALL CARDS ARE WORTH MONEY

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One of the first things you’ll want to do is carefully examine the condition and quality of the cards. The better the condition, the more valuable they are likely to be. Look at the centering, corners and edges for any bends, wrinkles or other flaws. Make sure to evaluate both the front and back of the card. Minor flaws won’t significantly impact value but heavier wear can drastically reduce what it’s worth. You’ll also want to check for any water damage signs which are very detrimental.

Grading the card condition is a good next step. The main companies that do this are PSA, BGS and SGC. They will review the card closely and assign a numerical grade from 1-10 with 10 being flawless “gem mint” condition. Generally speaking, any common player card needs to be a PSA 8 or higher to have substantial value. A PSA 10 is considered pristine and will be worth notably more for most sought after players and rookies. You can submit your cards for professional grading for a fee if you believe they are high quality specimens. Otherwise, familiarize yourself with condition standards so you can self grade.

It’s important to verify that any players whose cards you have were legitimate big league ballplayers. Check reliable sources like Baseball Reference to ensure their stats are documented. Many online auction/marketplace sites now also have robust player verification information. Watch out for counterfeits of stars which are unfortunately not uncommonplace. Stick to grading guidelines and holograms/trademarks as counterfeits often have flaws.

The next step is identifying specifics about the card such as the year, set, brand and parallel variant if applicable. More scarce older cards from the pre-1980s as well as star rookie cards tend to carry much higher values. Popular modern sets like Topps Series 1 & 2 and Bowman Chrome also command higher prices. Examine things like special parallels, autographs, patches or serial numbering which can dramatically boost value of certain cards. Factors like these are why no two cards are truly alike even if of the same player and year.

Researching recent sales prices of comparable condition cards will give you an idea what your cards could reasonably be worth. Sites like eBay allow you to search “sold” listings to see actual closing hammer prices. Be sure to filter for the exact same year, set, brand and grade level if professionally graded. Auction prices can vary widely based on current demand and number of bidders so it’s best to analyze many recent examples. Popular price guide services like PSA and Beckett also provide general estimated market values but individual auction prices are better references.

Your best options once knowing estimated values are either holding onto investment quality cards long term or consigning high end pieces with an experienced card auction house or reputable online seller. The auction route involves fees but provides the broadest market exposure. Otherwise you can try selling on your own via eBay, local shops or social media marketplaces like Facebook. Just be sure any lower end common cards are reasonably priced to actually sell. Reach out if any cards seem especially rare or valuable – a expert can properly assess. With diligent research and patience, you indeed may have a hidden collection of monetarily noteworthy baseball cards! Let me know if any other questions come up.

Carefully examining card conditions, verifying player authenticity, learning specifics about the card issue and comparing to recent sold prices of equivalents are key steps to determine monetary value potential of your baseball cards. Condition drives value the most, so accurately self-grading is important. With a combination of research and potentially expert assessment, one can gain insight into whether any cards in their collection could have meaningful worth from a financial standpoint either currently or with longer term investment potential. Proper authentication, diligent pricing research andselecting reputable consignment/sale options for high end pieces are important to maximize value realized if choosing to eventually sell rather than keep cards long term. Hopefully these tips provide a thorough overview of the Baseball card grading, research and marketing process.

WHERE TO BUY CASES OF BASEBALL CARDS

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One of the largest and most reliable places to purchase cases of baseball cards is through online sports card vendors and distributors. Buying in bulk directly from these sources allows you to get good deals on full sealed cases. Some top options for case quantities include:

Dave and Adam’s Card World: They are one of the largest and most well-established online sports card retailers. DACW sells sealed cases of most recent MLB sets from Topps, Panini, Leaf, etc. Cases typically include 30-36 factory sealed boxes. They guarantee the cases are shipped sealed to preserve the randomness of packs. DACW also sells cases of older vintage sets from the 1980s-2000s when available.

Steel City Collectibles: Another very large online card vendor that maintains stock of sealed cases. SCC has MLB licensing so they can sell sealed wax cases of current Topps flagship and Allen & Ginter sets. They also get inventory of sealed cases for Panini sports releases. SCC aims to keep prices competitive compared to other distributors.

Blowout Cards: Known best for individual singles but also sells sealed boxes and cases from manufacturers. Blowout gets inventory directly from the sources so you can buy sealed, randomized cases with confidence in their quality. They stock cases for MLB, NFL, basketball, soccer, and non-sports releases currently being produced.

Dave’s Cards: More of a specialty hobby shop located in Florida but also does online case sales. Dave’s works directly with card manufacturers to get sealed cases prior to public release dates. This can be a good option if you want to buy a case of the newest hot set before elsewhere sells out. They charge a premium for the early access though.

Lelands: While more focused on high-end vintage cards and auctions, they do periodically list sealed wax cases from the 1980s-90s on their website. These old cases contain 36 factory sealed packs or boxes and are a nostalgic way to try ripping vintage wax. Lelands tests the seals are intact before shipping the full unsearched case.

Beyond just online retailers, you may also be able to find case quantities from local hobby shops, collector shows, or group breaks run through Facebook groups. Some hobby shops will break larger wholesale boxes into pre-organized subsets or cases that they then resell. Collector card shows sometimes have vendors with sealed cases for sale too. On Facebook, groups dedicated to group breaks or case breaks may periodically have extra full unbroken cases available for sale at a discount after a break event. Buying directly at local hobby shops or shows removes shipping costs but may have less selection versus the major online distributors.

Wherever you buy from, look for guarantees the cases are sealed by the manufacturer and have not been searched or tampered with prior to arriving sealed in your hands. Reputable vendors know intact sealed cases are important to maintain the integrity and collectibility of the cards inside. Request seals be intact upon delivery too. Cases purchased directly from major distributors like Dave & Adam’s or Steel City are safest bets for genuine factory sealed product.

Another option is to watch eBay for auction listings of sealed cases, but there is more risk the seals could have been broken without the seller being truthful about the case contents having been searched or resealed. Seals can also get damaged in shipping if not properly packaged. So cases from known hobby retailers tend to be the most reliable sources versus taking that chance on an individual eBay case sale from an unknown seller.

With cases, you have the fun of doing a large group break of packs/boxes with family/friends or turning around and doing individual randomized box or pack breaks online yourself to gain subs. There are also speculation opportunities to store sealed cases away long term for potential future appreciation as investment holdings depending on the particular sets involved. Buying in case quantities through reputable dealers allows you to maximize value for money while preserving the integral randomness and collectibility of the cards inside. Let me know if any other questions!

HOW CAN I TELL IF MY BASEBALL CARDS ARE WORTH ANYTHING

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The first step is to identify the players and year of the cards. Focus on oldercards from the 1970s and prior as those are more likely to hold significant value compared to modern era cards from the 2000s onward. You’ll want to pay close attention to star players from each era, especially those who had Hall of Fame careers like Mickey Mantle, Willie Mays, Hank Aaron, etc.

Once you know the players and years, your next step is to check the condition and grade of the cards. Minor flaws or wear can drastically decrease a card’s value, so you’ll want to analyze each card closely. Considerations include the centering (how perfectly centered between the borders the image is), corners (are they still sharp and not rounded off), edges (any wear or damages), and surface (any scratches, clouding, or fading of colors over time).

Top grade quality cards in near-mint or gem mint condition have the highest values. An online search can give you an idea of what to look for in terms of characteristics that designate a card’s condition at the professional grading levels like PSA or Beckett. Things like centering being off slightly or a minor surface scratch could drop a card’s perceived grade. Of course, raw ungraded cards are still worth something based on condition alone through online sales comparisons.

Once you understand the players, years, conditions and perceive grades, your best resource is to conduct recent sales lookups online. Websites like eBay, COMC, and 130point.com allow you to search for “sold” listings of specific cards to see actual prices they have fetched in recent transactions between collectors. Pay close attention to matches in player, year, set, and grade/condition to most accurately gauge estimated value based on current market demand and prices.

Considerations like serial numbered parallels, autographs, rare variations, and especially unprecedented rookie cards can substantially increase values beyond standard issue cards as well. Examples include a rare Mike Trout 2009 Bowman Chrome Draft RC refractor #/99 serially numbered parallel in PSA 10 condition easily selling for well over $10,000 in today’s market. Use this sales data research method to value each card individually based on its traits.

Once you feel comfortable with estimated values, your preferred selling option is also crucial to maximizing potential returns. Individual card sales through eBay auctions generally fetch highest prices, but involve fees. Selling multiple higher end cards together in a group lot through online sports/card auction houses could yield better overall profits versus trying to individually move many low dollar common cards. You may also consider consigning through an established dealer if having several valuable vintage cards to potentially yield a percentage return after a lengthy grading/consignment process.

In the end, understanding each card’s rarity attributes combined with a similar condition and sales lookup research approach is critical for accurately determining if your baseball cards could hold any substantial value in today’s collectibles marketplace. With some valuable cards potentially worth hundreds or thousands, it pays to take the necessary identification and valuation steps to properly assess your sports card collection’s financial potential. I hope this overview provides a detailed and reliable guide on how best to tell if your baseball cards are worth anything of significant value. Let me know if you need any clarification or have additional questions!

HOW MANY WILD CARDS TEAMS IN BASEBALL

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The wild card system was introduced in MLB in 1995 to address concerns that divisional play had resulted in many teams with winning records missing the playoffs. Previously, only the teams with the best regular season records in each league made the postseason, regardless of their division standings. With the addition of a second wild card team in 2012, MLB expanded playoff access for non-division winners while also increasing the potential length and excitement of the postseason.

Under the current format, each league’s regular season consists of six divisions – three divisions of five teams each in the American League and three divisions of five teams each in the National League. At the end of the 162-game regular season, the three division winners from each league, comprising six total teams, earn automatic berths in their league’s division series round of the playoffs. Beyond the six division winners, the two teams in each league with the next best regular season records, irrespective of division, earn the wild card spots.

This means that in each league, there are two wild card teams for a total of four wild card teams across MLB. The wild card team with the best record hosts the one with the second-best record in a single wild card game. The winner of each league’s wild card game then goes on to face the top-seeded division winner in the best-of-five league division series. Having two wild card spots per league rather than just one allows two additional teams with winning records to have a chance to compete for the pennant in the postseason each year.

A notable aspect of the MLB wild card system is that it is possible for a team to win its division with a worse record than a wild card team. For example, if all three division winners in a league finish with records below 85-77 but the two wild card teams are 86-76 and 85-77, the 86-76 team would host the 85-77 team in the wild card game despite any of the three division winners having an inferior record. While somewhat untraditional, this outcome reflects MLB’s priority of rewarding division championships over best overall records alone. It also means wild card races can remain highly competitive down to the last day of the long 162-game regular season.

The introduction and subsequent expansion of wild card spots has added excitement and increased the number of teams realistically competing for a World Series berth deep into September. It also led to the introduction of the single wild card game in 2012. While some analysts argue this dilution of the regular season could reduce its importance over time, MLB’s postseason format continues to evolve in seeking to balance rewarding top teams against maintaining the relevance of more clubs later in the year. Generally, the two wild card spots per league have been viewed as a successful change that has made more teams’ seasons meaningful well into the summer and created additional dramatic playoff matchups each October.

In conclusion, Major League Baseball’s current playoff system features two wild card teams in both the American and National Leagues. The wild card format expands postseason access for teams that finish the regular season with winning records but outside of their division’s top three spots. It creates additional compelling races and single-game dramatic win-or-go-home matchups to start each league’s division series. While not a perfect system, the wild card has added to the depth of competition and extended the relevance and excitement of the regular season deep into September in modern MLB.

WHAT ARE THE BEST BASEBALL CARDS TO COLLECT IN 2023

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In 2023, there will be several excellent baseball card options to consider collecting across both modern and vintage sets. With new rookie stars continuing to emerge and historic legends appreciating in value, the hobby remains as strong as ever. Let’s take a look at some of the top baseball cards collectors should keep an eye on over the next year.

For modern cards, one of the most coveted rookie cards will undoubtedly be Grapefinch’s Tatis Jr. Prizm Orange Refractor rookie from 2018. As one of the game’s brightest young stars, Fernando Tatis Jr.’s on-field accomplishments have cemented this as one of the must-own cards in any collection. With a near-perfect 10 career WAR already at age 24, Tatis’ upside is limitless. As he continues producing All-Star caliber seasons, expect this card to climb well above its current $800+ price tag.

Speaking of young sluggers, Wander Franco’s Topps Chrome Refractory rookie from 2021 should also maintain strong collector interest. After a monster campaign that saw him hit .288 with 7 homers in just 70 games, Franco announced his arrival as a true five-tool talent. His rookie cards have already gained over 200% in the last year, and more gains appear likely as he establishes himself as a perennial MVP candidate for the rising Rays. Grading companies like PSA could drive additional interest and appreciation here as well.

Rookies aren’t the only modern cards worth watching either. Shohei Ohtani’s uniquely high-impact two-way skills have made virtually anything featuring the AL MVP equally as desirable. His 2021 Topps Fire Red Parallel /99 and Silver Pack Refractor /70 parallels especially stand out for their rarity and flashy design elements. As Ohtani cements his case as the best all-around player since Babe Ruth, these short-printed cards are sure to be in high demand.

Vintage collectors should monitor several iconic pieces as well. For starters, any high-grade copy of Mickey Mantle’s 1952 Topps rookie card should remain one of the priciest and most coveted vintage cards on the market. Graded examples have recently sold north of $2M, highlighting its legend and universal appeal. Mantle’s 1953 Bowman color or any of his pre-rookie cards from 1951-52 also hold incredible value recognized by collectors worldwide.

Another vintage legend poised for major appreciation is the T206 Honus Wagner. As one of the rarest and most desired cards ever printed over 100 years ago, any high-quality Wagner example will certainly attract serious bids from the hobby’s biggest spenders. Just one PSA NM-MT 8 copy sold for $3.25M in 2021, underscoring the card’s untouchable collectibility even at astronomical prices. With the hobby’s continued growth, new height’s seem attainable.

Shifting to other sports legends, collectors would be wise to keep an eye on Roberto Clemente’s 1966 Topps rookie and Willie Mays’ 1952 Bowman color. Both men transcended the game of baseball and still resonate with new generations of fans today. In a market that rewards iconic stars, condition-sensitive examples of these all-timers hold similar potential to the cards previously mentioned.

Newer star power like Juan Soto, Ronald Acuña Jr., and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. all boast rookies that could explode over the next calendar year. Still early in their careers but with enormous upside, a big contract extension or MVP season could catapult interest dramatically. Especially for the 2018 Bowman Chrome refractory rookies, high grades will be critical to maximizing returns.

In summary, 2023 shapes up as another banner year for collecting legendary players, new faces of the franchise, and truly iconic vintage cardboard. With so many phenomenal talents shining on the diamond, their corresponding trading cards make for compelling long-term investments. By focusing on the game’s biggest names, highest graded copies, and most influential designs, collectors stand the best chance of selecting materials that maintain relevance for decades to come. The hobby’s bright future depends on preserving its rich history.

IS COLLECTING BASEBALL CARDS A GOOD INVESTMENT

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Whether baseball cards make for a good investment really depends on several factors. On the one hand, baseball cards can potentially increase in value significantly over time, especially for rare and coveted cards featuring legendary players. There is also considerable risk involved as with any collectible investment. Whether baseball cards are a wise long-term investment comes down to doing thorough research, being knowledgeable about the market, investing strategically, and being prepared to hold cards for many years to realize meaningful returns.

When considering baseball cards as an investment, it’s important to recognize that like stocks, their value fluctuates constantly based on supply and demand. Just because a card is worth $x today does not guarantee it will be worth more or less in the future. The baseball card market can be unpredictable and volatile at times. Cards from past eras that were once common may become quite valuable as those players and teams achieve legendary status years later. Newly printed cards of current stars may hold little value right away. Their worth is hard to determine until years after a player has retired when their career accolades are fully known.

For baseball cards to serve as a viable long-term investment, it’s necessary to adopt the fundamentals of smart investing – diversification, awareness of risks, focus on quality over quantity, patience, and selling at optimal times. Spreading funds across various players, years, and manufacturer brands helps protect against depending too much on one player panning out. High-grade vintage cards from the early 20th century that feature all-time greats like Babe Ruth, Ty Cobb, and Mickey Mantle tend to hold value best due to their scarcity, history, and place in the earliest years of professional baseball history. These command higher prices than modern mass-produced cardboard.

Even the most coveted vintage cards can lose value rapidly if damaged or graded poorly due to flaws. Card condition and quality impact worth tremendously. Professionally graded high-end cards tend to appreciate most steadily. Buying ungraded common players is riskier. Overall investment is best focused on blue-chip hall of famers, rookies, unique serial numbers, and rare error/variation cards. Investing strictly to resell for profit requires constant selling and buying that is not guaranteed to net gains. Longer-term buy-and-hold for appreciation over decades stands the test of time better.

Costs must also be considered, such as money spent on the actual cards, storage supplies, grading fees, auction/listing fees, travel to shows, and management time. These additional “investment” expenses can outweigh periodic profits unless one has a sizable collection. Regular price guides from industry leaders like Beckett and PSA/DNA provide reference points but estimated worth does not guarantee real market value upon attempted sale. The volatile baseball card industry experiences market corrections with booms and busts too that impact liquidity and realized returns.

Rare vintage cards present the most stable investment potential due to their irreplaceable historical significance and limited supplies that appreciate over very long periods amid growing collector demand. Investment success ultimately depends on an individual’s research, analytical skills, patience, and willingness to hold onto cards for decades rather than expecting overnight profits. Baseball cards provide an entertaining hobby that intersects history and speculation, but their viability as a routine investment vehicle carries risk that requires prudent strategies for mitigation and long-term focus on quality holdings. For informed collectors willing to dedicate sufficient time, effort and financing, baseball cards can act as a worthwhile collectible investment complementing a balanced asset portfolio. But their uncertain resale marketplace leaves no certainty of profits and losing value is always possible if not approached seriously as a long game.

Whether baseball cards make for a “good” investment depends on one’s perspective, risk tolerance, time horizon and goals. As with any collectible, they can appreciate substantially given the right cards and holding periods. But their value fluctuations and costs associated with the hobby suggest they are not a low-risk investment vehicle guaranteed to outpace the market. With quality vintage selections, diligent research practices, disciplined buy-and-hold strategies and patience measured in decades rather than years, informed collectors can benefit substantially from baseball cards as a long-term complementary investment. But investors seeking only profits would be wise to carefully manage risks through diversification across many factors and eras beyond modern releases alone. An enjoyable hobby it can be, but consistent monetary gains from baseball cards require sophisticated collector intuitiveness and commitment for optimal results.

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HOW TO SCORE BASEBALL CARDS

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Scoring or grading baseball cards is the process of analyzing a card’s condition and appearance and assigning it a numerical score or grade. This score objectively represents the card’s quality and value relative to similar cards. There are a few major companies that professionally score baseball cards, most notably PSA, SGC, Beckett Grading Services, and HGA. Their scores are widely accepted in the hobby and are important for determining a card’s worth when buying or selling.

The first step when scoring a card is to carefully examine the fronts and backs under bright lighting for any flaws, defects, creases, stains, or wear that could potentially downgrade the grade. Scoring takes into account four main condition factors – corners, edges, surface, and centering. Corners are analyzed for bends, chips or rounding. Edges are looked at for whitening, slight bends, or damage. The surface is inspected for scratches, spots, or print defects. Centering assesses if attributes like the photo or text are centered within the card borders.

Grading companies each have their own numeric scale from 1 to 10 to represent a card’s condition, with 10 being flawless “gem mint” and 1 being poor. For example, PSA uses a scale of 1-10 where a Mint 9 card has no visible flaws, an 8 has very slight wear, a 7 has light wear, a 6 has moderate wear, a 5 has heavy wear but is still complete, and 4 or less are damaged cards. SGC applies a point system where 70+ points is a 10, 60-69.5 is a 9, 50-59.5 an 8, etc down to 30 or less for the lowest graded 1s.

After analyzing the card, graders take into account attribute like centering, edges and corners equally and deduct partial points for each flaw observed down to the tenth of a point. So a card with excellent centering but a small edge nick might get a 7.5 instead of an 8. Once a grade is determined, the card is then encapsulated in a hard plastic holder with the grade clearly marked on the front for verification and protection, preventing further wear. More valuable vintage cards may get more scrutiny and need fewer flaws to be docked.

In addition to the numeric grade, extra codes or labels are sometimes used. For example, a label of “Black Label” by PSA denotes an exceptionally high quality vintage card with exceptional eye appeal. Or an SGC label of “Gem Mint” indicates a score between 9.5-10. Sometimes qualifiers are added like “with surface issues” if wear impacts the score. Grading opinions can sometimes vary slightly between companies too.

There are some key factors that can impact a card’s grade and value once scored. Age and year of the card matter – older vintage cards in top condition can be worth far more. Rare and highly sought after rookie or star players will also carry a premium. Numbered parallels, autographs, or patches can also boost a card’s worth graded highly. On the other hand, flaws have a major negative impact – even small edge or corner flaws can drop a modern card’s value considerably.

To have cards graded professionally, collectors normally submit bulk orders and pay service fees per card graded. Turnaround times and costs vary but average $10-$20 per standard sport card submitted. Some may offer economy or express services. Cards are then authenticated, analyzed individually, given a thorough grade, and preserved permanently in a tamper proof slab. This official score becomes part of the card’s pedigree and is essential for high end buyers and sellers to determine investments accurately. Without a grade, conditions may be unclear or questionable making value hard to establish.

Professionally grading baseball cards is extremely important for establishing a verifiable assessment of a card’s condition compared to pristine mint grades. The score awarded factors in all visual attributes and is recognized worldwide by serious collectors. While imperfect, the third party grading system allows for objective appraisals, consistency in the market, and accurate attribute tracking that influences pricing decisions for desirable vintage and modern memorabilia cards.

HOW TO FIND OUT HOW MUCH BASEBALL CARDS WORTH

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The value of a baseball card depends on many factors, so it’s important to do some research to determine an accurate estimated value. Here are the main things you should consider when assessing how much a baseball card may be worth:

Condition of the Card: The condition of the card is often the most important factor that determines its value. Baseball cards are usually graded on a scale of 1-10, with 10 being gem mint condition. A card in near perfect condition can be worth 10x or more than the same card that is well worn. Make sure to examine the card closely under good lighting to check for any bends, scratches or other flaws that could reduce its grade and value.

Player and Year: Obviously, cards featuring star players that had great careers will generally be worth more than role players or unknown prospects. Within a player, their rookie cards or cards from milestone seasons tend to demand the highest prices. The year the card was issued from also matters – older vintage cards from the 1950s, 60s and 70s eras will usually hold greater value than modern issues. Doing research on eBay sold listings can help you get an idea of typical prices cards from a certain player and year have sold for previously.

Rarity and Production Numbers: Not all cards were printed in equal numbers. Special promo cards, autographed cards, limited edition parallels and rookie cards typically had smaller print runs which makes them scarcer and more valuable for collectors. Understanding the scarcity and limited availability of certain versions of cards provides important context for determining estimated values. Information on production numbers can sometimes be found online or through card data resources.

Authenticity: Only genuine, authentic copies of cards hold significant value. Be very cautious of replicas, forgeries or counterfeit versions which collectors will avoid and have no real monetary worth. Carefully examine things like borders, fonts, logos and images compared to high quality scanned versions online to ensure the card you have is an original as printed years ago rather than a fake. Getting an expert appraisal from a reputable authentication service may be a wise investment for very valuable cards.

Recent Sales and Market Trends: To get the most accurate value estimates, check websites like eBay to view recent sold listings of the same or very similar baseball cards you need appraised. This will give you live market data on actual prices people are willing to pay versus just printed price guides which may not reflect current collector demand and trends. Just because a card is listed in a guide at a high price does not mean it will actually sell for that amount. Staying up to date on sports collecting market trends is important for valuations.

Once you’ve gathered all this important information about your card through thorough inspection and research, you’ll be well equipped to determine a realistic estimated value range it could potentially sell for online or through an authentication company, collecting dealer or auction house. By taking the time to carefully consider condition, scarcity, popularity, authenticity and recent comparable market sales data you can confidently assess how much your baseball card may really be worth in the current marketplace. Let me know if any part of the valuation process needs further explanation. I hope this detailed guide helps collectors properly evaluate their cards.