WHAT ARE THE TOP 10 MOST VALUABLE BASEBALL CARDS

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1909-1911 T206 Honus Wagner – The legendary Honus Wagner is widely considered the most coveted and valuable sports card of all time. The Wagner card has been verified to exist in only 60 or fewer copies known in mint condition. In recent years, various near-mint to mint condition examples have sold for prices ranging from $2.8 million up to $6.6 million at auction, making it potentially worth over $10 million in a pristine gem grade.

1952 Topps Mickey Mantle – The Mantle rookie card is likely the most valuable post-war baseball card. High grade versions regularly sell for $500,000-$1 million at auction. In January 2021, a near-mint PSA 8 copy sold for $1.32 million, setting a new record. The card is exceptionally rare in top PSA 10 condition, with only a handful believed to exist.

1933 Goudey Sport Kings Babe Ruth – One of the earliest modern pre-war baseball cards. Examples in excellent condition are worth $150,000-$300,000 today. A pristine PSA 8 sold in 2013 for $364,000. Fewer than 10 copies are believed to exist in the coveted PSA 9-10 grades, making a perfect gem grade example potentially worth over $500,000 on the current market.

1909-1911 T206 Eddie Plank – Considered the second most valuable card from the famed T206 set after the Wagner. High grade Plank cards in PSA 8-9 condition routinely sell for $200,000-$400,000. A PSA-graded mint PSA NM-MT 8 recently realized $276,000 at auction in January 2021.

1909-1911 T206 Christy Mathewson – Along with the Wagner and Plank, the Mathewson is among the three most coveted commons from the T206 set. Near-mint examples bring similar prices to the Plank, in the $200,000+ range. In January 2021, a PSA 8 sold for $264,000.

1957 Topps Mickey Mantle – Currently, Mantle’s rookie year is the most valuable post-war set. High grade ’57 Mantles in PSA 9-10 condition are valued north of $100,000 with some elite PSA 10 gems selling for over $200,000.

1909-1911 T206 Jack Chesbro – One of the more challenging commons to find well-centered and in high grades from the venerable T206 set. Chesbro cards that grade PSA 8 or higher typically sell in the $150,000-$300,000 range.

1952 Topps Willie Mays – Along with the ’52 Mantle, this is one of the most famous and recognized postwar rookie cards. Top PSA-graded examples in Mint 9 and Gem Mint 10 condition routinely sell for $100,000+ at public auction.

1964 Topps Hank Aaron – Aaron’s star rookie card from his record-breaking 755 home run season. High grade examples valued highly by vintage collectors, with PSA 9’s selling over $50,000 and PSA 10’s reaching $100,000+.

1909-1911 T206 Fred Clarke – Another tough-to-find T206 common. Examples that grade PSA 8 usually sell in the $80,000-$150,000 price range. A PSA 8 recently realized $126,000 at public sale in January 2021. Pristine PSA 9-10 Gem Mint specimens could possibly reach $250,000+.

The ultra-high grade and condition sensitive nature of early 1900s tobacco era cards like the T206 set, along with the rookie cards of all-time great hitters from the 1950s like Mantle and Mays, make those the most in-demand collectibles among today’s baseball memorabilia investors. With population reports from authorities like PSA showing consistently strong price appreciation regardless of normal market fluctuations, top condition vintage cards appear poised to persist as some of the most storied and blue-chip investments within the entire collectibles industry for many years to come.

HOW TO OPEN BASEBALL CARDS

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Opening baseball cards is a delicate process that requires care and precision to avoid damaging the valuable collectibles inside. Whether you have vintage cards from the 1950s or newly released packs from the current season, following proper techniques will ensure your cards remain in the best possible condition.

The first step when opening baseball cards is to prepare your workspace. Clear a flat, well-lit surface and have the supplies you’ll need close at hand – a sharp utility knife, scissors, or nail clippers for cutting the packaging. You’ll also want protective sleeves or toploaders nearby to immediately store each card after opening. Make sure your work area is free of any potential hazards that could cause nicks or scratches.

Next, inspect the packaging before cutting. Retail packs are usually sealed with thin foil or polyvinyl wrap which can be sliced with a single motion using the sharp edge of a tool. Vintage wax packs have thicker paper wrappers and may require carefully cutting along each side. Take your time and make precise cuts rather than rushing and risking damage.

Once the outer seal is opened, proceed with care. Gently fold back the top layer of packaging to reveal the first card without disturbing the order or orientation of those below. Maintain control and don’t allow the pack to unfold fully, which could cause the cards inside to shift positions. At this stage inspect for any factory errors like miscuts or printing flaws before fully removing cards.

To remove the first card, grasp it loosely near the corners or edges and lift straight up parallel to the surface beneath. Never scrape or slide cards out as this can potentially degrade the surfaces over time. Check for any gum residue or other debris stuck to the back before sleeving. Place the extracted card directly into a sleeve or toploader for safekeeping – don’t set loose cards down where they could get contaminated prior to storage.

Continue opening the pack methodically one card at a time using the same gentle procedures. Pay close attention to Superfractor parallels, autographs and other premium cards which may require even greater care due to their limited print runs and material quality. Taking your time is key – rashly tearing into packs can easily damage cards within and hurt their future potential value.

Store opened packs and loose cards properly to maintain condition. Keep them in a dry place away from direct light, heat and other environmental risks. Toploaders provide sturdy individual protection while boxes offer convenience for organization and prevent bending or abrasions that come from loose piles. Proper storage ensures your baseball card collection will remain pristine for years of enjoyment.

With practice and patience, anyone can develop the techniques to carefully reveal the treasure trove inside every pack of cards. Following these opening methods helps preserve the longevity and collectibility of the cards inside. For serious investors, carefully protecting cards from even the slightest imperfections earned from the initial opening process can significantly boost their future worth.

WHAT MODERN BASEBALL CARDS ARE WORTH MONEY

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Many newer baseball cards from the past few decades have gained significant value as interest in card collecting has continued to grow. While vintage cards from the 1950s and earlier are generally considered the most valuable, there are certainly modern cards worth investing in as well. Some of the top cards that could be worth good money if graded and preserved in top condition include:

Rookie cards for star players continue to be very sought after and hold strong value long-term. One of the most expensive modern rookie cards is the Mickey Mantle 1952 Topps card. Only a few high-grade examples exist, and they have sold for over $2 million each. More recent star player rookie cards that can be worth thousands graded well include Ken Griffey Jr. 1989 Upper Deck, Chipper Jones 1991 Fleer, Derek Jeter 1996 Topps, Bryce Harper 2012 Bowman Chrome, and Mike Trout 2009 Upper Deck. While not usually reaching seven-figure prices, top Trout, Acuna, Soto rookie cards have reached low-six figures and should only continue climbing as their careers progress.

Autograph cards produced within the past 20 years can hold big value depending on the player. A rare Mike Trout autograph card from his early Topps Chrome or Bowman Chrome rookie years could sell for tens of thousands graded gem mint. The same could be said for autographs of superstar players like Albert Pujols, Clayton Kershaw, and Shohei Ohtani from their rookie seasons. Autograph rookies from lesser-known players who later became stars are also coveted, such as Pablo Sandoval or Madison Bumgarner cards. Any autograph card of a current superstar player like Ronald Acuna Jr., Juan Soto, or VLAD Guerrero Jr. from their early seasons have strong potential to appreciate greatly in value over the long run.

Prominent seasonal parallels and serial-numbered insert sets from the 1990s onward are often highly sought after. The 1994 Finest Refractor parallel of Griffey Jr. is legendary and an unopened factory set has sold for over $100,000. Serial-numbered parallels /10 or less featuring major stars like Barry Bonds, Derek Jeter, Albert Pujols, and others can command four-figure or greater prices. Ultra-rare serial-numbered cards like the 2014 Topps Update Trout /5 or Topps Allen & Ginter Trout mini /1 considered the single most valuable modern baseball cards are worth tens of thousands alone.

error/variant cards are huge collectors items with limited production runs enhancing scarcity and value. The 2012 Topps Holiday Promo Mike Trout Picture Variation is one of the rarest Trout cards known, with probably less than 10 in existence. Such an item could sell for over $10,000 raw. A famous 2003 Topps Gold Medallion parallel featuring Miguel Cabrera without a uniform design in the background was supposedly a one-of-one error and has sold ungraded for over $5,000. Any true error or variant catching cards of stars sells strong.

Traded/ Prospect cards can gain extreme value for becoming stars. A Pablo Sandoval 2003 Bowman Chrome Prospects card ungraded recently sold for over $3,000. Madison Bumgarner has traded/prospect cards from 2007-2008 selling for $800-1200. Anyone like Acuña Jr, Vlad Jr who rocket up could see early prospects jump big if they pan out. International/”true rookie” cards in a player’s earliest Topps sets or Bowman Chrome/Draft Picks/Prospects issues before MLB debut also gather value.

Serial-numbered “parallel” rookie cards are staples for collectors and hold potential for appreciation as careers progress. Any rare serial-numbered rookie of superstars like Trout, Acuña Jr, Soto, Guerrero Jr graded pristinely could reach thousands depending on the parallel and condition. Rarest parallels /5 or less achieve biggest prices. Top rookies numbered less common than /99 also gain value as future hall of famers’ careers cement their legacies.

Lastly, rare promotional/insert sets and parallels have gained notoriety and worth. Inserts like Topps Opening Day Gold Medallion Refractors featuring stars can pull 4 figures. Promotional sets like 2009 Topps commemorating #700 HR Club members find collectors. 2011 Topps Update Buyback Autographs with current stars’ old cards sell for hundreds. 1998 Ultra Gold Medallion Refractors numbers to 10 yield big money as well. Condition is key, but rarity, inserts/promos containing future legends hold long-term worth.

While up-front costs may be higher than vintage, modern star player rookie cards, autograph rookies, rare Inserts/promos/parallels, and low-numbered serial variations are where some of the best money-making opportunities lie in the modern era of card collecting if acquired raw and potentially graded. Savvy collecting of the right young players before they develop and prosper can pay dividends for discerning investors in the future. With an eye on condition and scarcity/error factors, modern era cards from the 1990s onward offer chances for investment returns as interests remain high.

HOW TO TELL IF MY BASEBALL CARDS ARE WORTH ANYTHING

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The first thing you’ll want to do is take a good look at the condition of each individual card. The condition is usually the most important factor that determines the value. For baseball cards from the 1980s and prior, there is a widely used 1-10 grading scale where 10 is mint condition, 9 is near mint, 8 is very good, 7 is good, etc. Anything below a 5 is considered poor condition. Generally, the closer to a 10 the card is graded, the more valuable it will be. Take note of any creases, scuffs, corner bumps or whitening around the edges that could mark the condition down.

Next, you’ll want to consider the player featured on the card and when it was produced. Cards featuring star players from any era tend to retain more value over time compared to role players or average players. Within that, rookie cards or cards from a player’s early career hold special significance and demand a premium. You’ll also want to research when the card was produced to understand what sets and series it’s from. Flagship sets like Topps are usually more valuable than lesser known sets from the same year.

Look up the specific card on websites like eBay to get an idea of what recently sold copies in similar condition have gone for. Be sure to filter the search results to completed and sold listings only, not just what cards are actively listed for. This will give you a real idea of the market value. Also check price guide websites like PSA Card or Beckett to find the range of values listed for your card in various grades of condition. Keep in mind price guides are just estimates and the real sale price may differ.

Once you have researched background information and comped similar recently sold cards, it’s a good idea to have valuable inserts, autographs or especially rare finds professionally graded and authenticated. Third party grading gives buyers extra confidence in the card’s authenticity and grade, which can significantly increase its value. The leading companies are PSA, BGS and SGC. Know that grading will cost a sizable fee, usually a percentage of the estimated graded value, so it only makes financial sense for high-end cards.

As a bonus tip, if your collection contains older cards from the 1980s and back, it’s possible some keys could be worth thousands in top grades since the supplies from those early production runs are extremely limited today. Flags like Mickey Mantle, Ted Williams and other all-time greats from their rookie or early seasons could potentially be quite valuable. So always have hope even in older common cards.

With patience and research, you can get a solid handle on what, if anything, your baseball cards may be worth monetary. Always aim to sell to serious card collectors rather than general public to maximize prices. With some gems, you may choose to hold long-term and hope values continually appreciate over the decades as the hobby endures. I hope these tips help you in determining if you have any valuable baseball cards worth exploring further! Let me know if you need any clarification or have additional questions.

WHERE TO SELL BASEBALL CARDS IN DALLAS

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Sportscards Plus – This is one of the largest and most well-established card shops in the Dallas area. They have two locations, one in Plano and one in Addison. Sportscards Plus has buyers that are always looking to purchase vintage and modern baseball cards, as well as full or partial collections. They pay cash and will give you a fair price based on the current market value of your cards. They also buy other sports cards and memorabilia. If you have valuable rookie cards or autographed cards, be sure to call ahead or make an appointment to ensure the buyers are available to properly evaluate your high-end items.

Park Cities Comics – Located in Dallas, Park Cities Comics is a multifaceted retailer that buys and sells comics, trading cards, and other collectibles. They have over 30 years of experience in the secondary market. For baseball cards, they are focused on buying duplicates, commons, and vintage cards from the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s. Be sure to have your cards properly organized by sport, team, set, etc. so the buyers can efficiently assess your collection. Park Cities Comics pays in cash or store credit.

Raffles – Raffles is a local chain with multiple shops across the Metroplex that focuses on buying and selling sports memorabilia, cards, coins and other collectibles. The Raffles location in Plano at 15th Street and Preston Road is one of the best in the area for selling baseball cards. They have very experienced buyers who can handle either individual cards, boxes of duplicates, or entire collections. Raffles pays top dollar and offers payment through cash, check or store credit that can be used towards future purchases.

Dallas Card Show – While not a permanent shop, the Dallas Card Show is a large monthly event that happens every fourth Sunday at the Richardson Civic Center. It brings together dozens of professional card dealers from across Texas and surrounding states who are buying collections. This is a great option if you want maximum exposure to sell your baseball cards to many buyers at once. You’ll need to bring inventory sheets with your cards organized and make appointments with dealers beforehand if selling valuable items. Payment will be cash though some dealers may offer credit towards purchases at their own shops.

Baseball Card Exchange – Operating out of Carrollton, Baseball Card Exchange regularly attends local shows and events to purchase collections. While they don’t have a brick and mortar location, they are very responsive to inquiries about buying cards and will be happy to meet you in person in the Dallas area. They specialize in vintage baseball from the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s. BCEX pays cash and asks that collectors have their items organized and priced beforehand to speed up transactions at meets.

Those are some of the top options for selling baseball cards in the Dallas metroplex. All of these establishments have long histories in the business and will treat you fairly. With the current high popularity of sports cards, now is a great time to sell if you have been holding onto a collection. Just be sure cards are in good shape and have them organized in a sellable manner. Proper research of current market values is also advised before settling on a final price.

WHO BUYS VINTAGE BASEBALL CARDS NEAR ME

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Your local card shops and memorabilia stores are often the best places to start when looking to sell vintage baseball cards near you. Most larger cities will have at least one or two dedicated card shops that buy, sell, and appraise collections of sports and non-sports cards. These shops employ experienced buyers who know the vintage baseball card market extremely well and can offer fair cash offers or in-store credit for worthy collections. Even smaller towns may have a local game or collectibles shop that takes in vintage cards from time to time. Stopping by in person gives you a chance to meet the buyers, show your cards, and get an on-the-spot price evaluation.

Beyond local card shops, you’ll also want to research independent dealers and local collectors in your area who buy collections directly. Many spend time attending card shows, working with auction houses, and developing networks of customers both locally and nationwide. They stay knowledgeable about the constantly changing values and demand levels for different players, sets, and years. Reputable individual dealers are generally very receptive to appointments to look at notable vintage collections and make competitive cash offers, especially if you can provide organization and documentation of what you have.

You can find these independent dealers and serious collectors in a few different ways. Check online auction sites like eBay to see which buyers near you regularly win bids on higher-end vintage baseball cards and contact them about selling outside of the site. Search platforms like Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, or local online classifieds for listing from people explicitly seeking to buy collections. Attend card shows in your area, both to possibly do business directly and get referrals from dealers about who locally is always looking to buy. Ask at your friendly local card shop if they have recommendations of go-to buyers they’ve worked with previously. Word of mouth is a great way to identify trusted parties.

When trying to sell your vintage baseball cards online, be cautious of unverified buyers contacting you out of the blue asking to purchase sight-unseen via PayPal or wire transfer. Well-reviewed buyers on platforms like eBay, COMC, or through reputable third-party grading services can be great options if you don’t mind paying shipping costs and are willing to accept payment via their selling channels. You can also list individual high-value vintage cards yourself on those sites to take advantage of a wider buyer pool and let the open bidding process determine fair market value. Just be sure to research recent sold prices for comparable cards to set realistic minimum bids or “buy it now” pricing.

Another possibility is to contact respected auction houses in your region that specialize in selling sports collectibles and memorabilia through live and internet bidding options. Places like Heritage Auctions, SCP Auctions, or Robert Edwards Auctions may be willing to include your entire vintage baseball card collection in an upcoming auction catalog, sparing you the hassle of individually listing items and accepting/transferring payments yourself. But be aware they will charge buyers’ premium fees and your net proceeds may be less than dealing directly with a local buyer or collector.

It’s also a good idea to touch base with any local coin or collectibles shows and conventions happening within driving distance in case they have dealers on-site who buy whole collections. And don’t forget about large card shows that tour different cities, like the National Sports Collectors Convention, as vendors there may be willing to make arrangements in advance to look at your cards and cut a check at the show itself if interested. With some searching and networking, you should be able to find a fair local buyer for your vintage baseball cards without having to ship them elsewhere or go through multiple transactions. With the right research and outreach, “near me” doesn’t have to mean just around the corner.

WHAT DOES IT COST TO GET BASEBALL CARDS GRADED

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There are several professional grading services that baseball card collectors can use to get their cards professionally graded, including PSA, BGS, SGC, and HGA. The costs for grading can vary depending on the specific company, type of grade, turnaround time, and number of cards being submitted.

One of the largest and most established companies is Professional Sports Authenticator (PSA). Their standard grading service has four tiered pricing structures based on turnaround times: economy ($12-$15 per card depending on volume), value ($20-$25 per card), standard ($30-$35 per card), and express ($50-$100 per card). For a single card submitted in the economy queue, the cost would be $15. If submitting 50 cards at once, the cost drops to $12 per card for economy. Submitting a card in the express queue for the fastest possible turnaround would cost $100 or more.

In addition to standard service grades, PSA also offers special designations like autographed cards, rookie autograph cards, and special “gem mint” grades of 10 that have extra fees. For example, an autographed card submitted for a standard grade would cost an additional $20, bringing the total cost to around $50-$55 for a typical submission. Cards receiving the rare and valuable PSA Gem Mint 10 grade also have an extra $20 authentication fee on top of regular grading costs.

Beckett Grading Services (BGS) charges similar pricing structures to PSA. For a single card submitted in their value tier, which promises a 30 day turnaround, costs $20 per card. If submitting 25 cards or more in value tier, the cost drops to $17 per card. BGS also has an Express tier for 5 day turnaround costing $50 per card for singles or $40 per card if submitting 10 or more. Like PSA, they add additional charges for autographs, rookie autographs, and special designations like BGS 9.5 or 10 Gem Mint grades.

SGC is generally considered the more budget-friendly option compared to PSA or BGS. Their standard service tier for a 30 day turnaround costs just $10 per card regardless of submission quantity. They also have a $25 express 7 day tier and bulk submission discounts for larger volumes. Special designations for autographs or gem mint grades add $15 each on top of regular fees.

The newest major grading company is HGA (Hobby Genius Authentic). Their fees fall somewhere in between PSA/BGS and SGC pricing. A standard grade is $15 per card with volume breaks, while an Express 5 day turnaround is $30 per card. Special designations like autographs or gem mint grades carry $10 surcharges each.

In total, when factoring in submission costs, insurance, and shipping fees, expect to pay a minimum of $10-15 per card for standard service through SGC, $15-20 per card through PSA/BGS value tiers, and $30-50 per card or more if using express options or special designations. For large bulk submissions of 100 cards or more, average costs per card continue dropping. Proper packaging and insurance during shipping is also critical to protect valuable investments.

HOW MANY WILD CARDS IN BASEBALL PLAYOFFS

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Major League Baseball playoffs currently include two wild card teams from each league that earn the right to compete in a sudden death wild card game to determine who advances to the League Division Series. The wild card format was introduced in MLB postseason play in 1995 as a way to add more excitement and expand the number of teams that qualify for the playoffs each year beyond just the division winners.

Prior to 1995, only the two league division champions from the American League East, AL West, National League East, and NL West would qualify for the postseason each year. This meant only 4 out of the 26 MLB teams at the time made the playoffs. Introducing wild card spots created more opportunities for teams to make the playoffs and added drama by giving more borderline clubs something to play for down the stretch.

Initially, there was only one wild card team per league. The wild card clubs would then face off in a single-game playoff with the winner advancing to play one of the league’s division champions in the best-of-five League Division Series round. This wild card format remained in place through 2011. As MLB expanded and more teams were added to each league, the number of wild card spots was increased to address competitive balance concerns.

Beginning in 2012, Major League Baseball added a second wild card club per league, expanding the wild card round to include two single-elimination games – one in each league. The teams with the best records among the non-division winning clubs in each league would host the one game playoffs against the clubs with the second best records. The winners then move on to the LDS, while the losers see their seasons end in a do-or-die winner-take-all contest.

This two wild card format allowed an additional two teams into the MLB postseason each year. It also created new excitement and relevance for more clubs down the stretch as they chased one of the top two wild card spots rather than just the single wild card berth. With more at stake late in the season, fan bases were given new hope and interest was maintained even for teams that fell out of divisional races.

The two wild card game format has remained in place through the 2021 MLB season. It gives a total of 10 teams (3 division winners and 2 wild cards from each league) a shot at winning the World Series in the current playoff setup. Having wild card rounds determined by single-game playoffs rather than series also intensifies the dramatic do-or-die aspect of just getting into the postseason for non-division winning teams.

While some fans and analysts have voiced concerns about the two wild card teams not having to face the one-game challenge in years their league has four strong clubs, most agree the extra spots have been a competitive and financial success for MLB. They have led to increased attendance and television viewership for wild card games. The uncertainty of single-elimination also raises the ante and suspense for both teams and fans compared to having a series cushion to rally in.

The introduction and expansion of wild card spots has without question been viewed as a hugely positive change for Major League Baseball. It has created more meaningful games down the stretch, gave additional franchises playoff chances, and substantially boosted the profile and excitement level of the entire postseason. Going forward, as the league considers future playoff changes or format tweaks, maintaining and potentially expanding wild card opportunities will surely remain a high priority given their resounding acceptance and success since 1995.

WHERE TO SELL BASEBALL CARDS ONLINE

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eBay – eBay is likely the largest online marketplace for selling individual baseball cards or entire collections. Some key aspects of selling on eBay:

Listing cards individually or in lots is an option. Taking high quality photos of the front and back of each card is important.

eBay takes a final value fee that is usually around 10% of the final sale price plus a small listing fee. Fees vary based on the category.

Payment is received through PayPal upon a buyer purchasing the item. Funds are usually available within a couple of days.

eBay has a large, established user base of buyers searching for cards. Getting cards listed with competitive prices and utilizing marketing tools like Best Offer can help drives sales.

Sellers need to package items securely for shipping and provide tracking to the buyer. eBay will mediate any disputes over item condition or delivery issues.

There is no monthly cost to sell on eBay, just the final value fees per transaction. Storage and shipping of orders is the responsibility of the seller.

Sportscard Forum – This is a popular message board community for sports collectors. Within the forums are classified sections where cards can be listed for sale:

Listings include a description, photo, price and condition details. Buyers then contact the seller directly to arrange payment and shipping.

No fees are charged by the site to list items for sale. Transactions are handled privately between buyers and sellers.

Sellers ship the item themselves and are responsible for resolving any post-sale issues. Product has already been vetted by the forum community.

Traffic and sales tend to be on a smaller scale than eBay. Best suited for moving higher priced individual cards or collections.

COMC (Cardboard Connection) – COMC is an online consignment marketplace specifically for trading cards, comics, memorabilia and other collectibles:

Items are shipped to COMC’s warehouse where they professionally photograph, grade if applicable, and list each item for sale online.

Sellers choose a percentage of the final sale price that goes to them, with the remainder kept as commission by COMC.

COMC handles customer service, payment processing, and shipping of all items. Funds are sent to sellers on a regular weekly or monthly schedule.

Large selection of cards available all in one storefront. Buyers often use to fill holes in sets without worrying about condition issues.

Storage and listing fees apply but no transaction fees. Good option for liquidating large collections over time.

Facebook Groups/Marketplace – There are many local and general trading card Facebook groups and the Facebook Marketplace lets users list items for sale:

No fees associated with listing items. Transactions handled solely through messaging between buyer and seller.

Limitations of no photo storage on Facebook and risk of scammers exist without buyer/seller protections like eBay.

More suited for moving individual high-value cards locally where people can meet in-person or verify condition before purchase.

Much smaller potential buyer pool versus online marketplaces but good for testing value of local collections.

There are also sport-specific auction sites like Lelands and Heritage Auctions suitable for rare, vintage cards that could fetch higher prices. EBay and COMC are likely the top choices overall for moving most baseball card collections online due to established buyer bases, fees, and seller protections.

WHERE TO TAKE BASEBALL CARDS TO GET APPRAISED

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One of the most reputable places to get baseball cards professionally appraised is at major card shows and conventions that feature authentication and grading services. Companies like PSA/DNA, BGS, and SGC routinely station authenticators and graders at these events to examine cards on-site. They’ll provide a detailed report on condition and estimate the cards’ market values based on recent auction comparisons. This option allows you to get appraisals from industry experts without having to send cards away. You’ll need to research upcoming card shows in your area as they are not daily occurrences.

If there are no upcoming shows locally, the next best option is to utilize the authentication/grading services’ standard submission process. You’ll first need to research costs, which vary based on turnaround times and level of service requested. Most bulk appraisal submissions cost between $10-20 per card. You’ll then need to carefully package your cards, following the companies’ directions, and ship them off for review. Within 1-6 months depending on volume, the cards will be returned with plastic holders displaying their numerical grades and estimated values. Going this route ensures a consistent and unbiased evaluation.

Beyond third-party companies, local independent dealers may offer appraisal services as well. Search online directories to find dealers in your area with strong reputations who are familiar with the vintage and players in your collection. Dealers can usually provide rough estimates onsite within a short window if you bring the cards to their shop. Dealers’ appraisals may potentially be less objective since their goal is also to potentially buy collections.

Serious collectors may also consider hiring accredited appraisers who specialize in sports memorabilia. Look for appraisers certified by recognized organizations like the American Society of Appraisers. Provide as much background detail about the cards as possible, then work with the appraiser to determine their fees and schedule an in-person review. Appraisals by qualified experts can be very thorough but also more expensive than other options.

Regardless of the option selected, be sure to carefully organize your cards by year, sport, player, and condition before the appraisal. Provide any relevant history on valuable cards. Photos of mint or unique items are also useful. Know that paper/card quality and centering issues are especially important factors considered in evaluations. Graded cards will receive precise condition and value assessments while raw cards involve more estimation. Be patient during the process and carefully review all documentation received. With preparation and by using trusted authorities, you can feel confident about the market value assigned to your collection.

Card shows, third-party grading services, local reputable dealers, and accredited appraisers are all viable options for getting baseball cards professionally appraised. Doing research ahead of time, carefully organizing your collection, following submission instructions, and being aware of factors considered in valuations will help lead to an accurate assessment that gives you important insight into your cards’ worth on today’s market. With a detailed appraisal from an expert source, you’ll have peace of mind knowing the true value of your beloved baseball cards.