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IS THERE AN APP TO SCAN BASEBALL CARDS FOR VALUE

One of the most popular apps for scanning and valuing baseball cards is the Collectr app. This free app allows users to scan the barcode on the back of baseball cards to pull up details on the specific card such as the year, player, team, set and any special print variations. The app then provides a estimated value range for the card based on sales data from the collectibles market. Users can also manually enter details for cards that don’t have a barcode. Additional features of the Collectr app include the ability to build a virtual card collection by scanning cards directly into the app, get notified of upcoming card shows and sales in your area, and read baseball card news and articles. Many users praise the Collectr app for its easy to use interface and providing a quick estimated value without having to search websites.

Another highly rated app similar to Collectr is the PriceGuide app. This free app also allows you to scan baseball cards to autopopulate details and get an estimated value range. Where it differs is that PriceGuide taps into a larger database with over 400 million card listings to value cards. The app additionally provides recent sold prices and current active listings for cards to give users a better idea of the real-time collectibles market. Advanced features in PriceGuide include the option to manually add cards that don’t scan, set customized notification filters for cards you want updates on, and access to full history charts showing how individual card values have changed over time. both casual and serious card collectors cite PriceGuide as one of the most accurate free apps for baseball card valuation.

For a more in-depth evaluation of baseball cards, some collectors prefer using a paid app subscription like the Blowout Cards app. With a yearly $50 fee, this app not only provides estimated values from completed sales but also includes professional card grader estimates and population data from the major third party grading companies like PSA, BGS and SGC. Users can pull up population reports showing exactly how many examples of a certain card have received each numerical grade. The deeper analysis tools in Blowout Cards are well-suited for high-end and investment-grade cards. Reviewers note that while not essential for most hobbyists, the additional grading insights may help serious collectors maximize card values for resale.

Another premium option is the Beckett Video app with a $100 annual subscription. Just like the printed Beckett guides, this app allows you to look up baseball cards by year, set, player and scan barcode or manually enter details. Estimated values are from Beckett’s own seasoned experts instead of automated market data. The key perk is that nearly every listing includes a professionally captured video scan of the card front and back for ultra-close examination of autographs, surfaces and print quality variations that impact rarity and demand. This level of high-resolution visual inspection makes Beckett Video popular amongst experts and authenticators seeking to evaluate vintage and high-dollar cards. For basic scanning needs the free Collectr and PriceGuide apps offer strong functionality without a recurring fee.

In terms of factors to consider when choosing a baseball card scanning and valuation app, the most important are ease of use, database size/accuracy determining estimated values, and desired features like collection building, alerts or grading population reports. Apps like Collectr and PriceGuide perform well as free options by scanning cards quickly and tapping into sizable recent sales data. For pro-level analysis of investment holdings, the added tools in paid subscription apps Blowout Cards and Beckett Video can provide deeper market insight. Regardless of which app you use, cross-checking estimated values against recent eBay or auction prices is always recommended for a more realistic valuation of your baseball card collection.

IS THERE AN APP TO SCAN BASEBALL CARDS FOR WORTH

Hero Collector Baseball Cards – This is one of the most full-featured and accurate scanning apps for baseball cards. After downloading the app, you can scan any card by holding it up to the camera on your phone. The app will then search its extensive database and try to autofind the card. It looks at things like the player photo, team logo/colors, year, card design elements and more to attempt a match. If it finds the card, it will display all relevant details like the brand, set name, rarity, player stats and most importantly – the estimated current market value.

The value is based on recent sales data from major auction sites like eBay. It tracks thousands of auction results daily to derive a reasonable average of what that particular card in similar condition has been selling for. You can then click through for more history and stats. If it doesn’t find an autmatch, you can manually search by player name, year, set etc. to hopefully find it. The database contains millions of vintage and modern cards going back decades.

Collector’s App Baseball Card Price Guide – Similar to the Hero Collector app, this allows you to scan a card and it will attempt to automatically identify it in its integrated database. If a match is found, you’ll see relevant details and an estimated dollar value range based on the observed conditions and recent sales. Where it differs is the price guide isn’t quite as robust or up-to-date since it only checks eBay once per month. But the interface is very easy to use and still works well for ballparking common card values.

CardMavin – With CardMavin, you don’t actually scan cards with your phone’s camera. Instead, this acts more as an online price guide and collection organizer. You can manually search for cards by name/set and add them to a digital collection. It then shows a dollar value range based on analyzing recent eBay, COMC and auction data. What’s unique about CardMavin is you can also physically scan the barcode on many modern cards and it will populate all the details, saving data entry time. And later, if values change, it updates automatically without you having to rescan.

While these apps provide convenient on-the-go estimates, it’s important to note card values can vary widely based on exact sub-grade condition factors they can’t assess. For a more accurate appraisal if you have valuable vintage cards to sell, you may want to consult with an expert grader at a reputable company like PSA, BGS or SGC who can physically examine the card. But These apps are excellent free tools for ballpark estimates on virtually any baseball card to help determine collection worth and identify diamonds in the rough. Just factor in a margin of error since condition isn’t 100% accounted for.

Some other factors that can impact the accuracy of these apps include unusual variances, inserts, parallel, memorabilia or autograph cards which may not exist in the database. Also, newly discovered or extremely rare vintage pieces could potentially be missed. But for common modern sports cards and most vintage commons/uncommons, the autofind and search functions tend to work very reliably. And as their databases continue growing, the identification and pricing becomes more refined over time too. So in summary – yes there are absolutely effective baseball card scanning apps available that can give a solid baseline valuation for any card quickly and easily right from your phone. Just don’t consider their quotes definitive if you have truly high-value vintage rarities to sell.

ARE THERE ANY 1980s BASEBALL CARDS WORTH MONEY

There are definitely several 1980s baseball cards that can be worth significant money today, depending on the condition and player featured on the card. The 1980s saw some legendary players break into the major leagues and produce Hall of Fame careers, so their rookie cards from that era are usually the most valuable. Some keys cards and players to look out for from the 1980s include:

Mike Schmidt (1980 Topps) – Schmidt is considered one of the greatest third basemen of all time. His 1980 Topps rookie card in near-mint to mint condition could fetch $1,000 or more today. In gem mint 10 grade, it has sold for over $5,000.

Ozzie Smith (1978-1981 rookie cards) – Nicknamed “The Wizard” for his glove work at shortstop, Smith had memorable runs with the Padres and Cardinals. His rookies are quite sought after. A 1978 Topps in gem mint could sell for $3,000-$4,000.

Cal Ripken Jr. (1981 Topps & Fleer) – Known for setting the MLB record for consecutive games played at 2,632, Ripken was a surefire Hall of Famer. His 1981 Topps and Fleer rookies in top grades can reach $1,500-$2,000 each.

Dwight Gooden (1984 Topps & Fleer) – As a rookie, “Doc” Gooden won both the Cy Young Award and Rookie of the Year honors while leading the Mets to a World Series. In pristine condition, his 1984 Topps rookie has sold for $6,000. The Fleer is also very valuable.

Don Mattingly (1981 Topps) – An All-Star first baseman for the Yankees, Mattingly’s smooth left-handed swing made him a fan favorite. In mint condition, his rookie tops $1,000. Higher grades have reached $3,000-$4,000.

Wade Boggs (1982 Topps) – The “Boston Strangler” finished his career with a .328 batting average, third all-time. His rookie in near-mint to mint condition sells for $400-$600.

Roger Clemens (1984 Topps) – The Rocket struck out 20 batters in his record-setting 1986 season. His ’84 rookie has changed hands for $900-$1,200 near-mint to mint.

Kirby Puckett (1984 Donruss) – A key member of World Series champion Twins teams, Puckett could hit for power and average. His ’84 Donruss rookie has topped $2,000 in top condition.

Barry Bonds (1984 Topps, Fleer & Donruss) – Before controversy, Bonds was smashing home runs. His rookies attract interest from collectors still. Near-mint to mint grades see $400-$600 each.

Mark McGwire (1984 Topps) – Big Mac shattered the single-season home run record in 1998 that stood for 37 years. Fans love reliving his start. In mint condition, his rookie could earn $500-$700.

Roberto Alomar (1988 Donruss) – A 12-time All-Star and 10-time Gold Glove winner, Alomar was a tremendous talent. His ’88 Donruss RC has sold for over $1,500 in top shape.

Some key factors in a 1980s baseball card’s value are the player featured, the year, the card manufacturer (Topps & Donruss usually most desirable), and of course the condition or grade. With so many legends breaking in during the 1980s, their rookie cards represent an excellent long-term investment opportunity for collectors, especially if conserved pristinely. With the right player and strong preservation, $1,000+ returns are certainly achievable for key 1980s rookie cards. Condition is king, so taking care to prevent damage will serve collectors well financially down the line as values steadily rise. Countless 1980s rookies and stars offer lucrative profit potential for savvy sports card investors.

ARE THERE ANY VALUABLE BASEBALL CARDS FROM THE 80s

The 1980s saw tremendous growth in the hobby of baseball card collecting. As interest increased, so did the production and demand for certain star players’ cards. This led to many iconic 80s cards appreciating greatly in value over the decades. Some of the most valuable baseball cards from the 1980s include:

1985 Fleer Michael Jordan RC (#57): Widely considered the Holy Grail of sports cards, Jordan’s rookie basketball card is arguably the most coveted card ever produced. In gem mint condition, examples have sold for well over $100,000. Although a basketball rather than baseball card, it shows just how much star potential and success can drive a card’s worth.

1988 Topps Ken Griffey Jr. (#1): Junior’s iconic smiling rookie card is a must-have for any 80s collection. Even well-centered near mint copies trade hands for $1,000-2,000 now. Pristine gems in the BGS/PSA 9-10 range have exceeded $10,000 at auction. Griffey went on to have a Hall of Fame career and remains one of the most influential players ever.

1991 Upper Deck Ken Griffey Jr. (#1): The chase card of the early 90s, this was the first Upper Deck baseball issue. It set records by being pulled from packs at a rate of around 1 in 10 boxes. Copies grade 9+ can net over $3,000 in today’s marketplace. The rarity factor, combined with Griffey’s star power, makes this one of the most valuable modern rookie cards ever produced.

1991 Stadium Club Kirby Puckett (#361): Puckett was already a multi-time All-Star when this rare parallel card came out in limited numbers. Numbered to only 250 copies, examples change hands for $10,000-$15,000 for mint specimens. Puckett’s on-field excellence and the parallel’s scarcity make this one of the premier 80s Twins cards to own.

1989 Upper Deck Nolan Ryan (#107): Ryan was still actively dominating hitters late in the decade when Upper Deck debuted. Their photography and production quality blew away the competition. Near flawless 9.5+ examples have sold as high as $20,000 for arguably the most iconic UD baseball card ever produced.

1985 Donruss Wade Boggs (#340): Boggs’ 1984 batting title and 1985 World Series win made him one of the game’s premier stars of the 1980s. Pristine mint specimens can command $3,000 and up. His accomplishments and iconic Donruss design make this one of the top Red Sox cards from that decade.

1986 Fleer Update Tony Gwynn (#U-98): Gwynn’s Update rookie card was scarce in packs and is now one of the most coveted 80s Padres issues. Top-graded copies have sold for over $5,000. Gwynn’s Hall of Fame career and the general rarity of Fleer Updates make this a valuable modern-era rookie for collectors.

1987 Topps Traded Rocky Marciano (#T-80): Not a baseball card per se, but the nostalgia surrounding “The Rock” makes this one of the rarest and most sought-after 80s trading cards in existence. Reportedly fewer than 10 packs were ever produced, making any example worth at least $5,000 today for collectors.

1983 Donruss Kenny Rogers (#381): Rogers’ perfect game and leadership on Detroit’s 1984 champions made him stand out among 80s pitchers. Centering issues plague most examples, but pristine copies can reach $2,000 now. His accomplishment and the classic Donruss design still appeal to collectors decades later.

1986 Topps Mark McGwire (#444): McGwire was just breaking in during the late 80s steroid era, little did anyone know what accomplishments lay ahead. His rookie card remains a fan favorite from the decade. Near-mint copies can be found for under $100 still, but gem mint specimens have exceeded $1,000 showing his enduring popularity and Hall of Fame career.

The 1980s saw the emergence of future all-time great players like Griffey, Gwynn, Boggs, and McGwire. Iconic rookie cards, rare parallels and specialty issues featuring stars of the day like Puckett, Ryan and Rogers have stood the test of time. Strong on-field performances, scarce print runs, and the nostalgia of classic 1980s designs all contribute to specific cards retaining or gaining value many years later. The decade laid important foundations for the enormous growth still to come in the modern collecting era.

IS THERE A FREE APP TO SCAN BASEBALL CARDS FOR VALUE

The MLB Ballpark app is one of the more popular free apps for scanning baseball cards. Developed by the MLB, it has a large database of cards that can be scanned using your phone’s camera. When you scan a card, the app will automatically recognize the player, year, brand, and other identifying details. It will then provide you with estimated market values for the card in different grades from poor to mint condition. The database is constantly updated as card values change. One drawback is that its focus is mainly on modern cards from the past few decades, so older vintage cards may not always be recognized.

Another good free app is the Collectable app developed by Collectable.com, a large online marketplace for trading cards, coins, and other collectibles. Like the MLB app, you can scan any card using your camera and it will attempt to identify it. Once identified, you’ll see recent estimated sales data for that particular card in different condition grades sourced from Collectable’s marketplace. The database includes cards from the entire history of baseball going back over 100 years. One limitation is that without a subscription, you only get basic sales data and not extended details on card population reports, trends over time, etc. But for quick value checks on individual cards, it’s very useful.

CardMavin is another free scanning app option worth considering. When you scan a card, it uses artificial intelligence to recognize the image and provide identification details. It then displays estimated values for Good, Very Good, Excellent and Mint condition based on sales it has tracked. One advantage over the other apps is that it sometimes recognizes obscure or rare vintage cards that may be missed elsewhere since it doesn’t rely on predefined databases. The downside is that the estimates tend to be more general since there is less direct sales data behind them compared to Collectable. Like Collectable, more detailed reports require an optional subscription.

For all of these scanning apps, it’s important to keep in mind that the estimated values provided should only be considered guides, not definitive appraisals. Factors like the exact centering, corners and edges of a card will impact its grade and value, and estimates make assumptions without a physical inspection. Also, rare and high-end cards may not show up in the results since they are not frequently sold. For getting a general sense of the potential value of a run-of-the-mill common card, these free scanning apps are very useful. With large and frequently updated databases, they allow you to quickly check thousands of baseball cards without having to search online databases manually. For home collectors and casual fans just wanting basic value information, one of these apps is definitely the way to go.

The MLB Ballpark app, Collectable app, and CardMavin are all solid free options for scanning baseball cards on your phone and getting estimated value data. While the results shouldn’t be treated as official appraisals, they provide a very convenient means of checking the potential worth of a card collection without needing expensive grading or subscription services. With large databases of cards and regular updates, these scanning apps are great tools for any baseball card enthusiast looking to better understand the value of their collection.

ARE THERE ANY VALUABLE 1987 DONRUSS BASEBALL CARDS

The 1987 Donruss baseball set is considered one of the most iconic and collectible issues in the entire sports card industry. While it may not contain cards that rival the extreme values of the 1972 and 1986 Topps sets, there are still several 1987 Donruss rookies and stars that can carry substantial monetary worth depending on the grade and condition of the individual card. Let’s take a deeper look at some of the top cards collectors are seeking from the 1987 Donruss release.

Perhaps the most desirable rookie card in the entire set is that of Toronto Blue Jays superstar Joe Carter. As the American League MVP in 1989 and World Series hero with his walk-off home run for the Blue Jays in 1993, Carter went on to have a stellar career. His rookie card from the 1987 Donruss set is among the key chase cards for any vintage collector. High grade examples of the Carter rookie in near-mint to mint condition can often sell for $100-200, but elite pristine or gem mint 10s have been known to command upwards of $500 or more in auction.

Another highly valuable rookie from 1987 Donruss is that of “Nails” David Cone. The former Cy Young Award winner and 20-game winner had a long, successful career pitching for several contending ballclubs. His rookie is clearly overshadowed by bigger star rookies from the late 80s, but it remains a key piece for any Donruss or Yankees collection. Expect to pay $50-100 for a nice near-mint Carter, with the best specimens over $150.

Beyond the rookie cards, collectors are also seeking 1987 Donruss examples starring some of the game’s biggest stars of the late 80s era. Dodgers ace Orel Hershiser, who won a record 59 consecutive scoreless innings in 1988 en route to a Cy Young and World Series MVP, has a very desirable flagship card from the set. High grades in the 6-9 range can be $20-40+ while true gem mint 10s have cleared $100 auction prices. Another Dodger, the young and talented pitcher Fernando Valenzuela, also has a very collectible regular issue card due to his popularity from his early career dominance and Rookie of the Year season. Near-mint and better “Fernandomania” cards frequently sell in the $15-30 range.

Moving across town, the 1987 Donruss set featured standout cards chronicling the careers of some of the most iconic Los Angeles Angels of that period as well. Bo Jackson’s third year card, highlighting his exploits as a two-sport star, has steadily increased in demand in recent years. Near-mint 7s are attainable for $15-30 while 8s and above can clear $50 or more. Pitching ace Chuck Finley, a key part of the Angels rotations throughout the late 80s and 90s, also has a highly collectible issue from his breakout 1987 campaign that often sells for $10-25 each.

Staying in the American League West, collectors seek out the flagship cards in the 1987 Donruss set starring some of the biggest names on the formidable Minnesota Twins teams of that era as well. Hall of Famer Kirby Puckett, in just his third major league season but already establishing himself as an All-Star caliber player, has an extremely recognizable and desirable regular issue card. Well-preserved examples in the 7-9 grading scale routinely sell in the $25-50 range, with 10s reaching triple digit prices. Similarly, fellow Twin all-star pitcher Frank Viola, the 1987 AL Cy Young winner, has a popular card that is consistently a $15-30 acquisition for most grade levels.

Moving east, collectors love obtaining high quality copies of the 1987 Donruss set highlighting sluggers like Red Sox star Jim Rice, fellow Bosox slugger Mike Greenwell in his rookie season, and Baltimore Orioles first baseman Eddie Murray, among others. Each of these star cards can achieved prices of $10-30 depending on condition, with Jim Rice’s all-time great signature card potentially reaching over $50 for pristine specimens. Over in NYC, Mets nemeses like Darryl Strawberry, Dwight Gooden and Gary Carter each possess must-own cards that accumulate strong fan followings as well.

While the 1987 Donruss set may not achieve the same acclaim as the holy grail releases of the early 70s, it still contains a treasure trove of rookie and star cards that hold significant nostalgic and intrinsic collectible value for dedicated hobbyists and investors. Keys like the Joe Carter, David Cone and Bo Jackson rookies alongside signatures of Hershiser, Jackson, Puckett and others make this vintage baseball issue a cornerstone for any collection. With patience and a discerning eye, astute collectors can still uncover reasonably priced gems from the 1987 Donruss archives to appreciate for years to come.

HOW MANY BASEBALL WILD CARDS ARE THERE

The wild card was introduced to Major League Baseball playoffs in 1995 in an effort to add more teams and games to the postseason while still maintaining the traditional division winner format. Originally there was just one wild card team from each league that would play a single-game playoff to determine who would meet one of the division winners in the next round.

In 2012, MLB expanded the wild card format to include two teams from each league. This was done to both add more excitement with an extra layer of playoff games while also attempting to satisfy more fan bases by giving an additional city a chance at postseason baseball each year. Under the current system, the two wild card teams in each league face off in a newly created Wild Card Round that consists of a best-of-three series to determine who advances.

The top two division winners in each league receive byes directly to the Division Series round. In the American League, this means the East and West division champions avoid the single-elimination Wild Card Round. In the National League, the East and Central division winners receive byes. This geographical split was instituted when MLB re-aligned their divisions prior to the 2013 season.

At the conclusion of the 162-game regular season, the team with the best record in each division, by definition, is guaranteed to win that division and qualify for the postseason. The other teams in those four divisions, along with the other teams in the non-division winning leagues, are still battling for the wild card spots.

In each league, the three teams that did not win their respective divisions are considered for the two wild card slots. The team with the best record among the non-division winners automatically claims one of the wild card spots. If two teams are tied for the best non-division winning record, standard MLB tiebreaker rules are used to determine possession of that top wild card spot.

The other wild card spot goes to whichever non-division winner can claim the second-best record when compared to the other also-ran clubs. So in essence, whichever two teams playing outside of the divisions can boast having the absolute two best overall records, regardless of what division they play in, are awarded the league’s wild card slots.

Once the regular season concludes and the four division winners and two wild card teams per league are determined, the one-game Wild Card Round commences. In a new twist, MLB decided prior to the 2022 season that the top wild card team would host the second wild card club for their best-of-three series, thereby giving a slight advantage to the club with the stronger regular season record.

Historically, many have argued that a one-game wild card playoff was too high-pressure and subjected a team’s season to just one game of outcomes after a six-month regular season. Expanding it to a best-of-three format helped address those concerns by allowing the wild card teams to feel as if they have more control over their postseason fate rather than placing so much emphasis on a single game.

Not only does the wild card round create dramatic new games and exciting new matchups for fans to enjoy, it also has indirect financial and competitive benefits for MLB as a business. Cities and fanbases who may have been frustrated at their team missing the playoffs by a few games can still have postseason baseball to watch locally thanks to the wild card slots.

With the addition of more October games plus the promise of wild and unpredictable one-game and series-clinching scenarios in the wild card round, interest levels are higher. More interest translates to increased gate and ticket sales, along with TV viewership, sponsorship and merchandise value opportunities for all involved franchises and the league itself. Financially, the expansion and re-formatting of MLB’s wild card playoff structure has largely been viewed as a success.

Competitively, the wild card round gives more teams and cities a realistic chance to make a postseason run and avoid going home after 162 games. It creates new rivals and grudge matches, exciting beginnings and dramatic finishes that can spark interest for the rest of October. While not quite to the level of March Madness or other single-elimination tournaments, it does add a new do-or-die element to the early stages of MLB’s playoffs.

The current two wild card per league, three-game series format seems to have found a nice compromise between maintaining the divisional structure with byes for the top seeds while also extending the potential playoff field to reward more regular season success. It makes for must-see early action in October and allows situations where a Wild Card winner can ride momentum on a hot streak, upsetting division winners to reach later rounds. And after nearly a decade, the system remains popular with both fans and the sport’s business decision-makers as well.

In the future, some have proposed expanding to three wild cards or perhaps re-seeding teams after the Wild Card Round based on regular season record instead of sticking to an ALDS/NLDS bracket. But for now, the two wild card teams create just enough drama, excitement and reward for both deserving clubs and the league as a whole. As long as competitive balance and fan interest remain strong, Major League Baseball seems content with their current wild card playoff format.

IS THERE AN APP FOR SCANNING BASEBALL CARDS

MLB Showdown Baseball Card Scanner:

MLB Showdown is one of the most full-featured and popular card scanning apps. When you scan a card, it recognizes the player, year, team and other key details to populate the record. It can pull player stats and information from online databases to include with each scanned card. You can organize your collection by sets, year, team and more for easy reference. It also provides a suggested market value for each card so you can track the estimated worth of your collection. Where this app really excels is its community features. You can join group challenges with other users, trade cards digitally, and participate in a robust online marketplace. The app is free to use but has optional premium upgrades.

CardNexus Baseball Card Scanner:

While not as robust as MLB Showdown, CardNexus is still a solid option for basic scanning and cataloging. Like the others, it identifies key details of each scanned card and lets you search, sort and organize your growing collection. Where it stands out is image quality – it takes high resolution photos of each card front and back for sharp, clear digital records. Those images can then be shared socially or used for trading virtually. The app interface is clean and intuitive too. A drawback is that it relies solely on the internal database for card details rather than tapping external sources, so information may not be as in-depth as other options. But for basic scanning without frills, it’s a reliable choice.

Collector Deck Baseball Card Scanner:

Collector Deck is very similar in functionality to CardNexus, with clear scanning, automatic data population and organizational tools. Where it has a leg up is third party integration. In addition to tracking your personal collection, you can also keep tabs on cards listed for sale on platforms like eBay to get a sense of current market values. You can even set up alerts if a card you want drops to a certain price. While the community is smaller than MLB Showdown, Collector Deck does let you share want lists, trade ideas and sell digitally with other users. The free version covers basic needs but a premium subscription unlocks extra inventory reports and tools.

Sports Card Universe Baseball Card Scanner:

As the name suggests, Sports Card Universe casts a wider net beyond just baseball to include all major sports card types like basketball, football, soccer and more. That means one central hub to manage collections across multiple sports. Scanning, cataloging and organizational tools are on par with the baseball-only apps mentioned above. Where this one differentiates is with augmented reality features. Using AR, you can hold cards up to your camera and trigger animations, player highlights, stats and more to further bring each to life. It’s a fun touch not found elsewhere. The app interface feels a little dated and the community/social tools are less robust than competitors. Still, it’s versatile for multi-sport enthusiasts.

While these represent some of the top scanning apps specifically made for baseball cards, there are also general scanning and cataloging tools like Evernote, Scanner Pro and Inventery that could do the job in a pinch with some manual data entry required. The baseball focused apps have an edge thanks to automatic player recognition and direct integration of sports details and statistics. Between options like MLB Showdown, CardNexus and Collector Deck – all free to try – mobile device owners have solid choices for scanning, digitizing and virtually organizing their baseball card collections. With community support and market analytics some provide as well, they open up new ways to enjoy and potentially profit from the cards beyond traditional binders and boxes.

ARE THERE ANY VALUABLE 1991 SCORE BASEBALL CARDS

The 1991 Score baseball card set featured several young stars and rookies that have gone on to have Hall of Fame careers. While the set itself is not one of the highest regarded of the early 1990s, there are indeed some valuable cards collectors seek after from that year. Let’s take a closer look at some of the top notable 1991 Score baseball cards that have held or increased in value over the decades.

One of the most valuable 1991 Score rookie cards is that of Gregg Jefferies. Jefferies was a highly-touted prospect coming up through the Mets farm system and his rookie card captured him at the beginning of what some thought would be a star career. While injuries hampered Jefferies, his card remains a key rookie card from the set. PSA 10 Gem Mint examples have sold for over $1000 in recent years. Another rookie to command high prices is Bobby Witt Jr. While still in the early stages of his career, Witt turned heads in his rookie season of 2021 and his 1991 Score RC has appreciating alongside his rising star status. PSA 10s trade hands for $500-600.

Two veterans whose 1991 Score cards remain sought after are Nolan Ryan and Ozzie Smith. Ryan was in his age 44 season but still striking out plenty as a member of the Rangers. His 1991 card seems to settle in the $50-70 range graded PSA/BGS 10. Considered one of the greatest defensive shortstops ever, Ozzie Smith’s smooth fielding made him a fan favorite. His 1991 Score card has found new admiration and seems to be increasing some in value, with PSA 10s reaching up to $75-100. Both Ryan and Smith had long, successful careers that maintain collector interest in their early 90s cardboard.

Staying in St. Louis, the 1991 Score rookie card of Ray Lankford is another that increased in magnitude over the years. Lankford went on to have a productive 15-year career, mostly with the Cardinals, and was a key part of their pennant-winning teams in the mid-90s. With a PSA 10 bringing close to $250 today, his rookie card shows how a good career can uplift even a seemingly average prospect card in value. Speaking of the Cardinals, their superstar first baseman, Mark McGwire, also has a valuable 1991 Score issue. Graded mint examples settled in the $150 area, as Big Mac’s monster home run seasons retain collectors’ focus despite controversies later in his career.

Shifting gears to the American League, the rookie cards of payroll All-Stars like Cecil Fielder,ruben sierra, and Spike Owen have held respectable value considering they were once commons. Fielder smashed 51 home runs in his ROY season of 1990 and his 1991 Score RC in PSA 10 condition can be had for around $50-75. Sierra was a feared slugger for many seasons and his pristine rookie cards trade between $30-50. Owen was a speedy outfielder for Toronto and Texas – his RC seems steady at $15-25 graded mint. Both Fielder and Sierra maintained long, productive careers that preserved interest in their early baseball cards long after their playing days concluded.

Two star pitchers who also have valuable 1991 Score cards are Tom Glavine and Roger Clemens. Glavine was already establishing himself as an Atlanta Braves ace and his card in PSA/BGS 10 condition goes between $75-100. Clemens was in his age 30 season with the Red Sox but was coming off back-to-back CY Young Awards. His 1991 Score appears to be holding its value best around the $125 price point in top grade. Both hurlers would have Hall of Fame careers and remain easily recognizable to modern collectors, sustaining high demand for their vintage cardboard.

While the 1991 Score baseball set may not be the most acclaimed issue of its time, there are still several star rookie and veteran cards that hold or have increased in significant value for collectors over the decades. Young stars like Jefferies and Witt, as well as veterans Ryan, Smith, Glavine and Clemens, are the most expensive 1991 Score issues when graded pristinely. But solid careers were also able to uplift once-average cards such as Lankford, Fielder and Sierra to valuable status today. For collectors looking to add premium pieces from the early 90s to their collections, 1991 Score offers notable options like these that have proven to retain longevity in the hobby.

HOW MANY HONUS WAGNER BASEBALL CARDS ARE THERE

The Honus Wagner baseball card is one of the most famous and valuable collectibles in the world. Produced between 1909-1911 by the American Tobacco Company as part of their infamous T206 baseball card set, it is estimated that only 50-200 genuine Honus Wagner cards still exist today in various conditions. Because so few of these historic cards were printed over a century ago and have survived in different states of preservation since then, determining an exact number is impossible but most experts believe the amount of authentic Honus Wagner T206 cards left ranges between 60-100.

The story behind why so few of these cards were printed begins with Honus Wagner himself. As one of the greatest shortstops in baseball history who played for both the Louisville Colonels and Pittsburgh Pirates at the turn of the 20th century, Wagner was featured as one of the 512 total players in the monumental T206 set. Unbeknownst to the American Tobacco Company at the time, Wagner had strong objections to having his image used to promote tobacco products due to his anti-smoking and chewing stance. Once discovering his likeness was being used on baseball cards to market sweet cigarettes and chewing tobacco to children, it’s said Wagner demanded his card’s production be halted. As a result, far less Honus Wagner cards made it to market compared to the other players in the set.

It’s also possible other factors led to the card’s low numbers, such as quality control issues disqualifying defective prints or the cards simply not selling well and being destroyed. No definitive records exist of exactly how many sheets of cardboard containing the Wagner card image were printed by the American Tobacco Company in the early 1900s before production ceased. Over the decades since, natural disasters, fires, floods, wear and tear have destroyed untold numbers of any Wagner cards that may have originally been out there.

So in the over 100 years since the cards were new, the combination of their limited initial production coupled with the inevitable losses of time, has left experts estimating that somewhere between 50-200 authentic examples could still be in collections or yet to be discovered. Finding an intact Honus Wagner has become exponentially more difficult as the card population decreases with each passing year. The last known census of Wagner cards conducted by the Sporting News in 1999 determined there were only 57 known at that point, compared to over 100 estimated to have originally been printed.

In terms of their individual conditions, the degrees and states that the surviving Honus Wagner cards are in varies greatly as well. Some are merely fragments while others remain in completely intact near mint condition protected by holders and storage over a century. The highest graded example that was once part of the famed Mile High Collection sold in 2016 is a PSA 8, just two points away from gem mint. Other less well preserved specimens may have issues like creases, stains or fading and grade considerably lower. Condition is absolutely critical to a card’s potential worth considering their great age.

As the rarest and most coveted of all trading cards, an unprecedented public mania surrounded one of these classic Honus Wagner portraits when it became the most expensive collectible ever sold at auction. The now infamous “Grette Card” that was part of the legendary 1957 find fetched $2.8 million USD in an August 2007 online sale. Other prized examples that come to market sell in the multi-million range as well depending on condition. With so few believed left in the world and the hysteria that ensues whenever one surfaces, the collectibles market may never know for certain how many of these precious relics from the early days of American pastime truly still exist in private hands or waiting to be revealed after over a century since their creation.