Author Archives: Kevin Brexit

HOW TO GET PSA RATING ON BASEBALL CARDS

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The Professional Sports Authenticator (PSA) is considered the industry standard when it comes to third-party grading of sports cards and other memorabilia. Obtaining a PSA rating involves sending your cards to them to be professionally evaluated on several factors and assigned a numerical grade.

The first step is to register for a PSA account either online or by phone. You will need to provide some basic contact and billing information. Most collectors choose to submit cards for standard grading which takes 4-6 months on average to complete. You can opt for faster express service timelines but it costs significantly more per card.

Once registered, you will need submission forms that describe the service level and list each individual card. PSA provides digital and printable forms. Carefully insert each card in a hard plastic holder. Write the corresponding number from the submission form on the back of the holder in pencil. This associates the physical card to its listing.

Prepare your cards and forms for shipping in accordance with PSA’s container and packing guidelines. The cards must be securely packaged to avoid any potential transit damage. You are responsible for insuring the shipment in case of loss or damage during transport. Ship your submission package to PSA using a traceable carrier like USPS registered mail or UPS.

When PSA receives your cards they will be checked against the submission form for accuracy. The grading process involves visually inspecting each card under strong lighting for any flaws, defects, or signs of tampering that may impact the final grade. Graders consider centering, corners, edges and surface quality and assign a numerical score from 1 to 10 based on established standards.

A 1 indicates a poor/damaged card while a 10 is pristine “gem mint” condition. Most common mainstream sports cards from the 1980s-1990s fall in the 3-7 range. A designation of authenticity is also provided to verify the card is real and hasn’t been doctored or counterfeited. The assigned grade is professionally slabbed or encased in a tamper proof plastic holder with labels.

Once grading is complete, you will be notified via your PSA account online or by mail. You can then track the status, view digital images of each graded card and make payment/shipping arrangements for their return. Approximately 2-4 weeks after completion is typical but may vary. Return shipping costs are additional unless a flat rate option was selected.

The PSA rating serves as an impartial, industry accepted evaluation of a card’s condition that helps establish its fair market value. Well cared for, high graded cards from scarce sets or featuring famous stars are more valuable to collectors. The rating gives buyers confidence they are purchasing a card that has been authentically verified and its condition accurately assessed. It creates standardization and trust benefitting both sellers and buyers.

The multi-step PSA grading process involves securely preparing your cards, submitting them through your account, having them carefully evaluated on standard criteria, professionally encasing the assigned grade, and finally receiving the now officially appraised cards back with informative labels – providing collectors a trusted, liquid marketplace benchmark. With care, most collector grade cards can achieve designation adding value down the road.

DO OLD BASEBALL CARDS HAVE VALUE

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The value of old baseball cards can vary greatly depending on many factors, but in general, vintage baseball cards from the early 20th century through the 1980s hold significant collectible value for knowledgeable buyers. Some key things to understand about the value of old baseball cards include:

Condition is paramount – The condition a card is in will make the biggest difference in its value. Near mint or mint condition cards from the sport’s early decades can be worth thousands or even tens of thousands, while heavily worn cards will have only sentimental value. Even minor flaws can decrease a card’s worth significantly, so condition must be carefully examined. Professional grading is recommended for high-value cards.

Rarity influences price – Common cards from popular sets are less desirable, while scarce, one-of-a-kind variants can excite collectors. Prominent players featured on only a handful of known specimens will drive prices up. Error cards with misspellings, unusual colors, or missing statistics are especially coveted by advanced collectors. Numbers printed of any given card also impact value, with fewer copies naturally translating to higher demand.

Vintage is valuable – As with any collectible, the older the card the more it will typically sell for, all other factors being equal. Tobacco cards from the 1880s-1910s regularly sell for thousands due to their immense age and historical significance in documenting early baseball stars. Cards from the post-World War 2 era through the 1980s also hold value as they represent the sport’s “Golden Age” and capture legends before technology changed the card-making process forever.

Hall of Famers mean big bucks – Cards picturing players who have been enshrined in the Baseball Hall of Fame command top dollar, especially if the player had his most productive MLB seasons when the card was issued. A T206 Honus Wagner is routinely valued over $1 million, while a mint conditions cards of Cy Young, Babe Ruth, or Joe DiMaggio usually sell in the five or even six-figure range depending upon set and year. Beyond the superstars, even role players inducted into Cooperstown boost a card’s worth.

Set completion value – Instead of focusing on a single rare find, some collectors aim to gather a full vintage set from a renowned issuer, which can take great effort and significantly add to market value once filled. The higher the number of scarce or valuable cards included, the more impressive and expensive the completed set becomes over time. Even common player set cards from the beginning of the 20th century have worth when joined together.

Authenticity affects prices – Forgeries have plagued the hobby, so expertise in verifying authenticity has become essential to serious collectors. Professional grading services can issue a certification of authenticity and assign top-tier “gem mint” quality assessments that justify top dollar prices at auction. Without established authentication, old cards carry much uncertainty no matter the visual condition or famous players pictured. Proper documentation saves buyers from headaches and losses on counterfeits.

Accuracy in detail matters – Card modifiers for uniform number, ballpark depicted, or specific season achievements portrayed can enhance value for research-minded fans seeking historical precision. Conversely, wrongly produced stats, misidentifications, or variant card designs depreciate prices through doubt over originality or manufacturer mistakes of the time period. Knowledgeable collectors carefully inspect these particulars before shelling out for purported rarities or deviations.

Prominence of issue year – Different card manufacturers and distinct sets released year-by-year command varying interest levels depending on era, design innovation, player quality, and limited distribution areas. The iconic T206 and 1909-11 Tigers sets usually outpace most others. Scarce regional issues or minor brands can surprise too on merits of their historical obscurity and concentration of rare specimens located. As with any investment, staying abreast of nuanced card market trends guides prudent acquisitions.

With so many intertwining considerations, solely assuming “old baseball cards have value” based on age alone would be missing the full story. While it’s true vintage examples from before the modern era usually retain collector demand sufficient to appreciate over the long run, thorough education remains imperative for correctly comprehending what specifically inclines any piece towards greater worth in the eyes of avid fans and astute investors engaging the competitive marketplace. With care taken to comprehend all intricacies, old cardboard treasures from the national pastime can offer enjoyment and significance far beyond childhood summers at the ballpark.

HOW MUCH ARE MY BASEBALL CARDS WORTH BECKETT

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Determining the value of your baseball card collection can be tricky, as there are many factors that influence a card’s worth such as its condition, players involved, year printed, and more. One of the most trusted resources for appraising baseball cards is Beckett Baseball Card Price Guides.

Beckett has been publishing price guides annually for over 30 years, giving them an unmatched database of sale prices and a reputation as the authority on baseball card values. Their price guides provide estimated market values for hundreds of thousands of individual cards in various grades of condition.

The first step to value your cards with Beckett is to obtain the most recent issue of either Beckett Baseball Card Monthly magazine or one of their annual baseball card price guide books. These publications break cards down by year, set, team, and player to make lookups quick and easy. Issues from the current calendar year will have the freshest market data.

Next, you’ll need to carefully inspect each card and determine its condition or state of preservation. Beckett uses a numeric 1-10 grading scale known as the Beckett Grading Scale (BGS). A “10” gem mint card is pristine, while a “1” is badly worn or damaged. Most common consumer-grade cards fall somewhere in the 3-7 range. It’s important to be objective when self-grading.

Once you know the card details and have assigned a condition grade, look it up by year and set in the Beckett guide. Here you’ll find a Beckett Assessment of Value listed as either a single price figure or a range depending on the card’s overall scarcity and demand in the marketplace. Take note that these are estimated average asking prices – what a willing buyer and seller may agree to in an open transaction. Individual sale prices can vary based on current collectibles trends, player performance news or special editions. No two cards are truly identical either.

To enhance accuracy, Beckett breaks values out by grade wherever possible. A card rated higher on the BGS scale because of better centering, edges or surface will almost always carry a higher market value compared to a card one or two grades lower. Condition drives valuations more than any other factor for most common vintage baseball cards.

Beckett also indicates card trends over time through a rating system. An “Increased” or bullish sign suggests the average asking value is 5-10% higher compared to the previous issue. “Decreased” means value has slid slightly. No change receives a flatline symbol. This historical perspective can aid in determining whether or not current market conditions favor holding or selling a particular card issue or player.

With tens of millions of potential baseball cards still in circulation from the past century, the Beckett Baseball Card Price Guide remains an indispensable resource for establishing approximate collectible worth and tracking shifts in enthusiast demand and dollar values across the ever-changing baseball card marketplace. With regular use of the guide’s systematic approach, you can gain an informed sense of the return on your baseball card investments.

Relying on the details, condition grading standards and proven market data within the Beckett guides is the most thorough way for a collector to reasonably appraise their personal baseball card collection and make educated decisions. For over three decades, the publication has set the benchmark for determining baseball card values trusted by dealers and investors alike.

WHAT SIZE ARE BASEBALL CARDS

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The standard size for modern baseball cards is 2.5 inches by 3.5 inches, which is known as the standard “poker size” since baseball cards were originally inserted into tobacco products such as cigarettes and chewing tobacco in the late 1880s. This size allows for baseball cards to be easily stored and organized in cardboard boxes, binders, albums, and other collectibles organizers designed specifically for standard baseball card dimensions.

While the poker size of 2.5×3.5 inches is overwhelmingly the most common size used today for new baseball card releases, there have been some variations throughout the long history of the collectible item. Some of the earliest baseball cards issued in the late 1800s during what is considered the “tobacco era” were smaller than modern sizes, ranging from about 1.5×2 inches up to 2×2.5 inches as companies experimented with different card stock thickness and dimensions that would still fit inside tobacco packaging.

In the 1930s and 1940s as baseball cards transitioned away from the tobacco business model and more baseball card sets started to be sold individually in packs like modern trading cards, the sizes increased slightly. During this mid-20th century period commonly referred to as the “premium era”, card dimensions were mostly in the 2×2.5 inch to 2.25×3 inch range. It wasn’t until the 1950s that the poker size of 2.5×3.5 inches became standardized in the United States.

Outside of North America, baseball card dimensions have varied even more over the decades. In Japan, baseball cards released by companies like BBM have traditionally been smaller at about 2×3 inches. Japanese players who also had U.S. issued cards would have their photos sized differently depending on the market. Cuban, Venezuelan and other Latin American issued baseball cards have utilized various non-standard dimensions as well over the years depending on the card manufacturer and country.

While all modern mass-produced US baseball card releases adhere to the 2.5×3.5 inch size, there have been some specialty and limited edition sets that have featured different dimensions to stand out. Examples include Upper Deck’s “Museum Collection” issues from the 1990s which were significantly larger presidential portrait-style cards measuring around 5×7 inches. Other niche examples include small 1.5×2 inch “Mini” cards inserted in original wax packs as bonus prizes in the 1970s-80s.

Even with the standardization of the traditional poker size for most sets, card stock thickness and quality has varied some over the decades between thinner paper stocks of the tobacco era to thicker/glossier cardboard substrates common in the modern era. Overall baseball card dimensions have remained remarkably consistent in the United States at the familiar 2.5×3.5 inches since the middle of the 20th century – a credit to both the collectibility of the format and companies desires for compatibility among the huge backlogs of existing cardboard that continues appreciating in value for collectors.

While baseball card sizes originated smaller and evolved some throughout the tobacco and early premium eras, the standard North American dimensions of 2.5 by 3.5 inches has been firmly entrenched since the 1950s. This familiar poker size allows for both convenient mass production and enduring collecting/organization habits by fans. Though some interesting outliers exist, the 2.5×3.5 inch baseball card remains a consistent and iconic dimension part of the incredible history and enduring appeal of the sport’s collectible card industry.

WHAT ARE THE MOST VALUABLE 1988 FLEER BASEBALL CARDS

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One of the most coveted and valuable 1988 Fleer baseball cards is the Ken Griffey Jr. rookie card. Griffey Jr. went on to have an iconic career playing 22 seasons in Major League Baseball and cementing himself as one of the great center fielders of all time. His graceful athleticism, effortless power, and memorable home run swings made him a fan favorite throughout his career. His rookie card from the 1988 Fleer set predictively shows his talent and is one of the most sought after rookie cards ever printed. In pristine mint condition, graded MINT 9 or higher by Professional Sports Authenticator (PSA), Griffey Jr.’s rookie card can sell for well over $10,000 and even reach up to $30,000 or more for a true gem mint PSA 10 example. Even in lower grades of good to very good condition, Griffey Jr.’s rookie still commands prices of $1,000 or better.

Another highly valuable 1988 Fleer card is the Nolan Ryan express rookie card. Ryan established himself as one of the most dominant pitchers in baseball history with a record seven no-hitters and over 5,000 career strikeouts spanning 27 seasons from 1966 to 1993. As one of the greatest power pitchers of all time with a 100 mph fastball, his early career accomplishments were previewed by his stellar 1985 season with the Houston Astros leading up to his rookie card release in the 1988 Fleer set. Like Griffey Jr.’s card above, the rarer the grade with top grades of PSA 9+ or PSA 10 fetching astronomical prices. Even graded a good PSA 6, Nolan Ryan’s rookie card still sells for well over $1,000. In top PSA 10 gem mint condition, a Nolan Ryan 1988 Fleer rookie has sold for as much as $25,000.

Another sought after star rookie from the 1988 Fleer set is the Barry Bonds card. Bonds went on to have a Hall of Fame career mostly known for his record setting power numbers accumulating a then record 762 career home runs. His 1988 Fleer rookie card shows him in his early Pirates days before becoming the home run king and one of the games’ most feared power hitters. Like Griffey Jr. and Ryan, the condition and rarity of the grade has a huge impact on Barry Bond’s rookie card value. Still a key piece for any serious baseball card collection, a mint PSA 10 Barry Bonds 1988 Fleer rookie has sold for as much as $15,000, with lower graded examples still retaining value upwards of $1,000 even in well-worn condition.

While Griffey Jr., Ryan, and Bonds easily top the charts as the most valuable 1988 Fleer rookies, there are other desirable star cards that still demand high prices as well. The Mark McGwire rookie card is highly sought after by collectors looking to add one of the all-time home run leaders. McGwire’s mammoth blasts off opposing pitchers made him one of the games’ early power hitting standouts. Even after an admitted steroid era, McGwire’s rookie card still sells for thousands in top grades. A PSA 10 could potentially sell for $5,000-$10,000 range.

Frank Thomas, aka “The Big Hurt”, demonstrated his impressive combination of power and batting average from the start of his Hall of Fame career. His rookie preview in the 1988 Fleer set foretold an outstanding offensive player. Graded mint copies of Frank Thomas’s rookie card can sell for $2,000-$5,000 depending on condition. Even well-below mint copies still attract bidding wars between $300-$700.

Greg Maddux established himself as one of the best control pitchers and smoothest fielding hurlers of all time starting in his rookie season with the Chicago Cubs showcased in his 1988 Fleer issue. While not reaching the heights of some of the big power hitting rookies, a pristine PSA 10 Greg Maddux rookie can still bring in $1,000-$3,000.

While the entire 1988 Fleer baseball card set contains the early career previews of many stars, the rookies of Ken Griffey Jr., Nolan Ryan, Barry Bonds, Mark McGwire, Frank Thomas, and Greg Maddux rise far above the rest as the most valuable and enduringly collectible cards from the set. Even in lower grades, they provide a tangible piece of historied players at the dawn of their brilliance and represent prized treasures for dedicated collectors.

HOW MANY WILD CARDS IN BASEBALL

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The Wild Card was introduced to baseball in 1995 to allow more teams that didn’t win their division a chance to make the playoffs. When it began there was only 1 Wild Card team from each league that would play a one-game playoff against the winner of a division that was not the best record in their league.

In 2012, MLB expanded the Wild Card playoffs to 2 teams from each league to add more excitement and playoff games. This meant that instead of 1 game, the two Wild Card teams would now play a best-of-3 series to determine who advances to the Division Series round.

Then in 2022, MLB did another expansion of the Wild Card and made it 3 teams from the American League and still 2 from the National League. This was done partly because the AL has 3 divisions to the NL’s 3 divisions, but also to allow an additional team from each league to compete in the postseason each year.

With the new single Wild Card format prior to 2012, it did provide more playoff races down the stretch as teams tried desperately to finish with a better record than the other Wild Card contender. But it also received criticism for essentially making the long 162-game regular season boil down to just 1 single game for a playoff spot. Many felt that was unfair to a deserving Wild Card team if they lost just 1 game.

The new best-of-3 Wild Card series addressed that concern to an extent by giving the two teams a set of 3 games to battle it out. It still maintained high stakes and excitement for the winner-take-all games, but did present more opportunities than a single game. Critics could still argue it wasn’t a large enough sample size versus a best-of-5.

When MLB expanded to 3 Wild Card teams in the AL in 2022, it further grew the playoff field and increased the number of games in the Wild Card round. Now instead of two best-of-3 series, there would be 1 best-of-3 series and 1 new best-of-1 Wild Card game. This gave 3 AL teams a chance to play in the postseason, while also addressing concerns about too small a sample size by incorporating at least 1 best-of-3.

Some people prefer more of a best-of-5 format for all Wild Card series to better determine the superior team. But MLB has to weigh playoff format changes with broadcast rights, scheduling complexities and desires to speed up playoff series. More best-of-3 or best-of-5 series would lengthen the total postseason, which many fans may enjoy but goes against MLB’s priorities.

The Wild Card expansion has mostly been viewed as a success by fans and the sport. It has delivered many classic do-or-die games and series over the years that extended playoff races and gave more cities a reason to be invested in the September stretch run. Every extra playoff spot and game helps MLB grow engagement and revenues from its postseason product.

There remains debate around possible future changes, such as MLB matching the AL’s 3 Wild Card spots by adding a third in the National League as well. Some purists argue it diminishes the importance of winning a division. But the overall consensus seems to be that the Wild Card game/series format has worked well for MLB by extending its “second season” and delivering on drama. Fans largely approve of more competitive teams getting a shot in October.

The introduction and subsequent expansions of the Wild Card spots over the past 27 seasons have played a big role in growing Major League Baseball’s popularity and business model. They have given fans of more franchises a reason to invest in late-season division races and young emerging talents in their clubs a chance to shine bright on the sport’s biggest October stages. While debate will surely continue around potential future tweaks, it’s clear the Wild Card spots have been a big win for players, teams and the league that help grow the game.

So in summary – there are now 5 Wild Card spots total with 3 in the American League (AL) and 2 in the National League (NL). The single Wild Card format began in 1995, expanded to 2 per league in 2012, and the AL grew to 3 teams in 2022. This continued progression has helped engage more fan bases beyond just division winners and deliver many memorable do-or-die performances over the years stretching MLB’s competitive season further into October. Debate will likely persist around potential future changes, but overall the Wild Card spots have benefitted baseball greatly since their inception.

WHICH BASEBALL CARDS ARE WORTH MONEY

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There are several key factors that determine the potential value of a baseball card. The most important things to consider include the player, the year the card was produced, the card’s condition or grade, and rarity. Let’s break these down in more detail:

Player – Cards featuring star players tend to be the most valuable, especially those featuring players considered legends of the game. The bigger the star, the better. Rookie cards of Hall of Fame players often command the highest prices.

Year – Generally speaking, the older the card the better. This is because fewer older cards survive in top condition due to age and the elements of time. The early 1900s up to the 1980s tend to have the most valuable vintage cards. Late 1980s and 1990s rookie cards can also hold great value depending on the player.

Condition/Grade – A card’s condition, either as defined by the owner or as graded on a numerical scale by professional grading companies, greatly impacts its worth. Very slight defects can significantly decrease a card’s value. Near mint or gem mint quality cards that preserve the image, color and finish fetch the highest sums.

Rarity – If a particular card was issued in low numbers or had limited print runs, it will be scarcer on the secondary market. The rarer the card, the more collectors are willing to pay for examples in top condition to add to their collections. Sworn statements, error cards and one-of-one serial numbered cards produced for special releases fall into this category.

Now let’s look at some individual baseball cards that can be worth significant amounts of money:

1909-1911 T206 Honus Wagner – Consistently regarded as the most valuable card in existence, high grade examples can sell for millions of dollars. In Good-EX condition, a Wagner T206 still fetches six figures.

1952 Topps Mickey Mantle – The Yankee legend’s rookie card is atop many want lists. Graded EM-MT versions recently sold for over $2 million each at auction.

1933 Goudey Babe Ruth – Another one of the most iconic cards in the hobby. Near mint copies have sold for well over $500,000.

1998 SP Authenticated Artist’s Proof Mike Piazza – Only 23 were produced, each hand-signed and numbered. One copy sold for over $1 million in 2017.

1984 Donruss Wade Boggs – The Red Sox third baseman’s scarce rookie card has topped $250,000 in stellar condition.

1957 Topps Hank Aaron – Whether a mint rookie or personal best season card, high grade Aarons garner six figures.

1975 Topps Cal Ripken Jr. – Considered the finest condition and most valuable athletic card released in the 1970s, a perfect 10 graded Ripken sold for almost $900,000.

1909-1911 T206 Sherry Magee – One of the most scarce early Tobacco cards alongside the Wagner. An SGC-graded 4.5 fetched more than $650,000 at auction.

1912 T206 Chief Wilson – A true anomaly with a census of only two known copies, both flawless quality. No record exists of either ever being publicly sold.

1951 Bowman Color TV Jackie Robinson – Highly significant as one of the earliest cards to feature baseball’s color barrier breaker. Single-owner gems top $250,000.

As you can see, what makes a card potentially valuable falls under various factors, from its historical player significance to how well it has retained its condition over many decades. The rarest and most perfectly preserved versions of the most iconic cards can sell for sums that seem unfathomable to many. With savvy collecting choices guided by research, some vintage cards offer real long-term financial prospects alongside their nostalgic appeal.

CAN YOU INSURE BASEBALL CARDS

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Baseball cards hold significant monetary and sentimental value for many collectors. Due to their value, insuring baseball card collections through insurance policies has become a popular option for collectors seeking to properly protect their valuable assets. There are a few different types of insurance that collectors can consider for insuring their baseball card collection.

Homeowners or renters insurance policies may provide some coverage for baseball card collections kept in a private residence, but the limits are usually quite low, often only a few thousand dollars worth of coverage. These basic policies are best suited for smaller collections. For collections exceeding the standard limits on regular homeowners/renters policies, collectors will need to purchase specialized personal articles or scheduled personal property floater policies.

Personal articles or scheduled personal property floaters are standalone insurance policies that can be purchased to specifically schedule and insure valuable collections like baseball cards. These types of policies allow collectors to specially list each individual valuable card in their collection and place a stated value on each item. By precisely scheduling the cards, the collector ensures the maximum possible payout in the event of a covered loss. Limits on scheduled personal property policies are much higher, often up to $250,000 or more in total coverage.

When applying for a scheduled personal property floater, the insurer will want to see photographs and valuations for the highest value cards in the collection. Professional grading reports from certification companies like PSA, BGS, or SGC help support the declared values. Insured collectors should keep meticulous records, including photographs, to validate their collection in the claims process if ever needed. Higher value cards may be subject to agreed value clauses in some policies as well.

Like with other types of valuable property insurance, collectors insuring baseball cards need to be sure to only insure against “named perils” like fire, theft, or water damage. General liability or all-risk policies have premiums too expensive for baseball cards. Common perils excluded from valuable property coverage include damage from molds, insects, rodents, atmospheric/climatic conditions, and defects in the cards themselves. War, terrorism, and nuclear incidents are also usually excluded.

Premium costs for insuring baseball card collections depend greatly on policy limits, deductible amounts, your location/risk factors, as well as the total insured value of the cards. As a baseline, expect to pay anywhere from $150-$1,000+ per year for a $25,000-$100,000 policy with a $1,000 deductible depending on specific circumstance details. Higher limits and lower deductibles mean higher costs, so collectors must decide how much coverage and out-of-pocket risk they are comfortable with.

Proper storage and security of the insured baseball card collection can greatly impact insurance costs too. Cards kept in bank safety deposit boxes may qualify for surprisingly low rates. Fire resistant home safes provide better rates than leaving cards in ordinary boxes. High-end climate controlled storage vaults off-site can merit further premium discounts. In addition to lower premiums, good storage practices also help minimize the chances of any covered loss from occurring.

Purchasing the right type of specialized scheduled personal property insurance policy is an important way for serious baseball card collectors to adequately insure their potentially six-figure collections. In doing so, collectors gain valuable peace of mind knowing their valuable cards are protected against many unforeseen disasters that could otherwise be financially ruinous. With meticulous record-keeping and prudent security practices as well, insuring baseball cards makes good financial sense for protecting this valuable hobby asset class.

WHAT IS PSA ON BASEBALL CARDS

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PSA stands for Professional Sports Authenticator. It is headquartered in Laguna Niguel, California.

PSA pioneered the use of uniform grading standards to assign cards a grade on a numerical scale based on their condition and quality. The main reasons for having cards professionally graded and authenticated by a company like PSA is to clearly communicate their condition and ensure authenticity. This adds certainty and value for potential buyers.

PSA uses a 1-10 grading scale for most collectibles, with 10 being flawless “gem mint” condition and 1 being “poor” condition. Half-grade increments like 5.5 are also used. Other designations include qualities above mint like “mint+,” authentication labels, and special “pop report” population data.

To submit an item to PSA, the owner packs it securely and includes a submission form with details. PSA experts then carefully examine the item under high-intensity lighting and powerful magnifiers. They check for flaws, centering, edges and surface qualities before assigning a grade.

Authenticated sports cards verified as authentic and their condition certified have increased enormously in value over the years, and PSA has graded millions of collectibles worth billions of dollars. They are considered the most respected third-party authenticator and grader in the industry.

PSA certification adds collector and investment value because it removes uncertainties about condition or authenticity that could deter potential buyers. Certified cards and memorabilia are more liquid and easily sold or traded because their value is unambiguous.

PSA has extremely strict grading standards to maintain credibility. Any signs of doctoring, discoloration, print defects or flaws will negatively impact the assigned grade. Only the best specimens achieve the most coveted and valuable designations of “gem mint” or higher.

In addition to sports cards, PSA also authenticates and grades other collectibles like comic books, autographs, coins, stamps, trading cards and memorabilia. They have certified some of the most famous and valuable collectible items in the world that have sold at auction for record prices.

Some criticisms of PSA are that their grading can be subjective and inconsistent at times between different graders. Also, the sheer volume of submissions in recent years from the booming collectibles market has sometimes led to longer turnaround times. Regrading submissions is also costly.

Nonetheless, PSA remains the “Gold Standard” and is still by far the most trusted third party involved in sports and collectible authentication, population reporting, and condition-based grading services. Their certification significantly boosts credibility and has helped shape best practices across the industry.

As the pioneering leader in their field, PSA has played a crucial role in professionalizing and adding structure to the world of collectibles grading and authentication. By establishing uniform standards and providing impartial assessment of condition and quality, PSA certification brings transparency and confidence to the marketplace. This protects both collectors and investors, and has supported enormous financial growth across the entire industry. PSA’s trusted brand, population reporting, and grading standards remain the backbone of high-end collectibles to this day.

ARE BASEBALL CARDS STILL COLLECTIBLE

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Baseball cards have been a popular collectible for over a century, dating back to the late 1800s when the earliest tobacco card companies included baseball players among other sports and non-sports celebrities featured on their cards. As the sport of baseball grew in popularity in America throughout the 1900s, so too did the hobby of collecting baseball cards. During the post-World War II economic boom of the 1950s, collecting baseball cards truly took off as a mainstream hobby especially among children and adolescents.

As the decades progressed and popular culture evolved, many wondered if interest in collecting baseball cards might fade away. After peaking in popularity during the 1980s and early 1990s, there was some concern the hobby may decline due to various factors like the rise of video games and digital entertainment distracting younger generations. There was an overproduction of baseball cards during the late ‘80s and ‘90s “junk wax era” that significantly drove down the value of modern cards. As recently as the late 2000s, it seemed like fewer young people were getting into baseball card collecting compared to previous generations.

While the hobby of collecting bulk common baseball cards may have cooled somewhat since the ‘80s/’90s peak, rare vintage cards and modern hit cards from top players have remained highly desirable and valuable. What’s more, there are signs of renewed mainstream interest in collecting among both younger and older generations. Sharp increases in the prices of rare vintage cards at auction over the past decade show robust ongoing demand exists for iconic cards from the pre-war tobacco era and 1950s/1960s tops era. On the modern side, stars like Mike Trout, Ronald Acuña Jr., and Fernando Tatis Jr. are driving new collectors to ripp through packs searching for their prized rookies and big hits.

With increased accessibility and exposure to the high-end hobby market through online private sales, auctions, social media, and YouTube breakers/openers, more people are being exposed to the thrill of the chase and potential for valuable baseball card finds. This renewed spotlight has helped retain existing collectors and attract fresh blood. The steady growth of sports card investment/consulting companies like PWCC and Sports Card Investor indicates growing institutional interest in rare baseball cards as an alternative asset class appreciated for its potential hedge against inflation.

Given the historic significance and nostalgia associated with baseball card imagery, popularity of the sport, and the fact rare specimens can appreciate vastly over time like works of art, there is little sign demand will collapse entirely. Sure, the glut of mass-produced modern base cards may not retain must monetary value. Vintage stars, top prospects, serial numbered parallels, autographs, and one-of-ones from breaks/cases have potential to appreciate handsomely if preserved well and the players live up to expectations on the field. As long as baseball and its collectibles hold symbolic and financial value as pop culture artifacts, there will remain a viable market for its rare cardboard.

In many ways, the advent of digital platforms, rise of social media, existence of high-profile card auctions, card investment companies, nostalgia for retro culture, and overall popularity of the sport have helped sustain interest in collecting beyond what was seen 20-30 years ago. While the market naturally experiences ebbs and flows, overall demand appears sufficient to ensure baseball cards maintain relevance as a worldwide hobby and can still be highly collectible, especially for the most sought-after vintage and modern specimens featuring star players. As such, it seems very likely that baseball cards will stay collectible for the foreseeable future given all the factors that point to the industry’s continued long term viability.