Sports Card/Collectible Values

Sports cards and sport card memorabilia perceived values are mainly dependent upon supply and demand. This applies to Baseball card values, Basketball card values, Football card values etc. However, supply is a big variable. For example, at the beginning of a product’s release period, there is limited supply as very little product is opened and prices may be high for a "hot" player. Normally, as an increase in quantity gets in to the marketplace, the price will stabilize. If the number of sellers exceeds the number of buyers, the result is card values may decline. However, if the player continues to do well, even as the supply increases, the prices rise. A recent example is LaDanian Tomlinson.  Future card values of Rookies is impacted by selection to the Hall of Fame.  Secondary market value is affected by rookie-card (RC) content!  Also, since Graded Cards are much more limited (lower supply), their value is usually higher.

Beckett's Monday Morning Collector:NFL-is a must NFL Rookie Card read!!!!!   Every Monday Morning throughout the NFL season, Beckett will pick a rookie, veteran and breakout player of the week.

Beckett's World Series Collectible's Price Guide-If you collect World Series memorabilia or are curious about what some specific Fall Classic items are worth, then you might want to check it out.

Over time, publications such as Beckett Digital Magazine Hobby Insider & Buyers Guide and Tuff Stuff (Baseball card prices, Basketball card Prices, Football card prices, Hockey card prices, Entertainment card prices and, Figurine prices and Collectible prices) identify e.g.,  "Beckett Hot Lists" which may recommend  "buy", "hold" and "sell" actions and prices.  Ultimately, competition or demand in the marketplace is what determines the value of the sports cards sale and/or purchase.  Both companies publish price guides and Beckett has a sports card guide online.  Also, see the Card Pricer, and Vintage Card Prices .

Due to President-elect Barack Obama’s historic election to the White House, interest in his trading cards and autographs has spiked dramatically.

Sometimes, even a Disney movie like "Invincible", which stars Mark Wahlberg as Vince Papale, (Philadelphia Eagles), can cause a once obscure (common) card: 1977 Topps #397 Vince Papale RC to increase by 10,000%. Yes, that is correct!!!!  "Invincible" is a film that is based upon the real-life story of Vince Papale.  He tried out for the Philadelphia Eagles in 1976 and made the team at the age of 30, becoming the oldest rookie in NFL history. He was a bartender and substitute teacher who never played college football.

Depending on the player, production quantities and perceived value, cards may be submitted for Grading to an independent "third" party. The higher the grade, the more valuable the card.
For example, a key rookie card #1 for Ken Griffey Jr. is his 1989 Upper Deck card.  A key rookie card #138 of Kobe Bryant is his 1996-97 Topps Chrome card.   According to the latest Beckett Monthly Baseball and Basketball Magazines below are prices listed, (except BGS 10 for Kobe Bryant):

Note: The above presentation is not a recommendation to buy, sell or hold any cards for investment. It is provided to assist readers in understanding the card market dynamics.  

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