Collecting basketball cards can be a thrilling hobby. However, differentiating between a standard card and a valuable, highly sought-after collectible isn’t always straightforward. How do you know if a basketball card is a collectible? This is a common query amongst many novices and even some experienced collectors as not every old card you stumble upon is necessarily a collectible. Various factors determine the value of a basketball card including its rarity, the player it represents, as well as the card’s condition.
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1. Collecting basketball cards can be an exciting hobby but identifying valuable collectibles isn’t always simple.
2. Whether a basketball card is a collectible is determined by factors such as its rarity, the player it represents, and the card’s condition.
3. A common misconception is that the value of a card solely relies on its age, while older cards tend to have a higher value due to their rarity, it’s not always the case.
4. The player represented on the card can significantly influence its value; for example, a rookie card of a legendary player like Michael Jordan can be extremely valuable.
5. The condition of the card plays a crucial role in determining its value – a poorly preserved old card can be worth less than a well-maintained recent card.
1. “Some new collectors prioritize a player’s rookie season over others. They’ll pay more for first-year cards because of the perceived rarity of that card. But be warned: Not all rookie cards are rare, especially those produced in the 1980s and 1990s. And not all players have rookie cards. Some, like Michael Jordan and Magic Johnson, entered the NBA before trading cards became popular.” – Money Crashers
Source: https://www.moneycrashers.com/basketball-card-collecting-hobby-guide/
2. “In the world of sports card collecting, the condition, or grades of antique sports cards is perhaps of the utmost importance to collectors. This is due to the impact that card grades have on the value of a card. The higher the grade of a card, the more valuable it is.” – Vintage Sports Cards
Source: https://www.vintagesportscards.com/single-post/2018/07/17/The-Importance-of-Condition-in-Sports-Card-Collecting
3. “The age of a card has little to do with its value. The ’80s and early ’90s is known as the “Junk Wax” era in the hobby… and despite being 30+ years old, most cards from this era of overproduction are typically worth less than a popular fast food meal combo.” – Card Mavin
Source: https://cardmavin.com/how-to/how-do-i-know-if-my-sports-card-is-valuable
In 2020, a mint condition Michael Jordan rookie card was sold for a record $216,000 at an auction.
Many collectors initially fall into the trap of assuming the value of a card is solely determined by its age. While older cards tend to have a higher value due to their rarity, this is not always the case. The player represented on the card also significantly affects the value – a rookie card of a legendary player like Michael Jordan is bound to be a valuable collectible. Moreover, the condition of the card plays a crucial role, a badly preserved old card can be worth significantly less than a well-maintained recent card.
