Should I Throw Away My Baseball Cards?
Have a box of old baseball cards tucked away in your attic or basement collecting dust? If so, you may be wondering if they are worth keeping or if it’s better to just throw them out. The answer is not always straightforward, as the value of baseball cards can vary greatly depending on the specific cards, their condition, and the current popularity of the players featured. In this in-depth article, we will explore factors to consider when deciding whether to hold onto your baseball card collection or declutter by getting rid of them.
Sentimental Value vs. Monetary Value
The first thing to consider is why you have held onto your baseball cards for so long. Do they provide you with nostalgic memories from your childhood? Were you an avid collector as a kid who enjoyed learning about the players and sports statistics? If the cards hold sentimental value for you due to memories and nostalgia, keeping them may be worthwhile even if they aren’t monetarily valuable. If you only kept them assuming they could be worth money someday but don’t have a real personal attachment, it’s worth evaluating their true financial value.
Evaluating Condition and Potential Value
To determine a baseball card’s monetary value, you need to carefully examine its condition. The two main factors that influence value are centering/corners and surface. Cards that are perfectly centered within the rectangle of the front and have sharp corners in good shape are more desirable to collectors. Cards with bends, creases, fading, staining or other damage are less valuable. Grading services like PSA and Beckett offer a numerical system to rate a card’s condition on a scale, with a “gem mint” 10 being the highest and most valuable. Have knowledgeable friends or a local card shop evaluate any star cards in your collection to see if their condition merits keeping them.
It’s also important to research recently sold prices online for each player featured to get a realistic sense of monetary value. Stars from the pre-1970s like Babe Ruth, Honus Wagner and Mickey Mantle can still fetch huge sums, while mid-range stars of the 1980s might sell for $50-100 in top condition. But common late 1990s rookie cards usually aren’t worth more than $1-5 even in mint shape. Take the time to look up recently sold auctions on platforms like eBay to gauge market interest in each name.
Considering the Future Potential
When deciding whether to keep or dispose of your baseball cards, it’s worth thinking about future potential changes in value driven by the collector market. For modern era cards from the 1990s onward, new Hall of Fame inductees and career milestones can cause renewed interest that boosts prices. For example, cards for players who just hit career home run milestones like 3,000 hits sell for more after the achievement. The same is true of active superstars as they near retirement – cards for current greats like Mike Trout have room for future appreciation as he closes his exceptional career. Vintage star cards from the 1930s-1970s seem to have retained collectible value that holds steady over time as well. So cards for all-time greats and modern superstars approaching retirement have the highest likelihood of future increased worth.
Organizing, Cataloging and Protection from Damage
If after researching condition and estimated values you decide any cards in your collection are worth holding onto long-term, proper storage and protection is important. Organize cards by sport, era and player to make your collection easy to reference. Document specifics about each notable card like the player, year, outfit, and condition in a spreadsheet for future reference. Then store cards in acid-free plastic sleeves and boxes to protect from dust, sunlight damage, and accidental bending or creasing. Keep stored in a cool, dry place away from attic heat that can warp cards over time. Proper preservation will help maximize potential future value down the road.
The Verdict – Hold, Sell or Donate?
Armed with information about condition, value, organization and preservation, you should now have a good idea of whether your baseball cards are worth keeping long-term or not. Cards for all-time star players from the early decades as well as modern superstars near retirement have solid long-term collectible potential. Mid-range stars, rookies and recent inserts usually aren’t going to significantly increase in value enough on their own to merit storage. In that case, consider selling valuable individual cards through a reputable third-party seller like eBay or setting up a Group Lot Auction including multiples to appeal to collectors. You could also donate your collection to a local sports museum, library or youth sports league as a charitable tax write-off rather collect dust. Taking the time to properly evaluate your collection is key to determining if you should throw away or keep your baseball cards.
