The first step is to carefully examine each individual card. You’ll want to check the condition and note any flaws. Baseball card conditions range from Poor to Mint and have a major impact on value. check for bends, soft corners, creases or scratches on the surface. Also check that no edges are frayed. Taking the time to properly evaluate each card’s condition is essential.
Once you’ve examined the condition of each card, the next step is to identify key details like the sport, player, team, year and manufacturer. Baseball cards are produced by several different companies, with some more valuable than others. Identifying the brand will help narrow down value. The player, year and team all factor greatly into the worth. Stars from past eras or rookie cards tend to hold higher values.
With the condition and identifying details noted, it’s then time to begin researching prices online. The two most trusted sources for checking recent sales of similar cards are eBay and PriceGuides.com. On eBay, use the “Completed Listings” or “Sold Listings” filter to only view cards that have already been bought and sold. This will give you real-world prices people are paying, not just what sellers are listing cards for. Be sure to only compare sales of cards in similar or identical condition to yours.
PriceGuide.com allows you to search by sport, player, year, manufacturer and grade to see valuations. Be aware that price guides give average market values – your individual card could sell for more or less depending on current demand and competition when auctioning. Still, consulting price guides is useful to understand approximate value tiers (common vs. rare).
Beyond eBay and price guides, networking with your local card shop is wise too. Shop owners see thousands of cards trade hands and can provide an assessment of current local and regional demand for particular players and years. While they aim to turn a profit, trusted shops won’t lowball serious sellers either.
Another key evaluation method is sending cards to professional grading services like PSA or BGS. Receiving an official grade vastly increases confidence in condition assessment for potential buyers. Grading is an added cost that only makes sense for valuable vintage cards or modern rookies. It doesn’t increase the value of a common card.
Other factors that can influence prices include special printing techniques like refractors, autographed/memorabilia cards, rookie/first Bowman cards of future stars, and rare short print parallel variations. Evaluate yours thoroughly for any special factors. Also consider selling individual high-end cards yourself versus in bulk if tops values apply.
Hopefully this detailed overview provides helpful guidance on properly evaluating your baseball cards and finding out accurately what they could be worth. Taking the necessary time on condition assessments, complete identification, comparing recent sales of similar pieces and considering grading is essential for maximum returns. Proper research helps turn a potential rummage sale into a significant payday.
