Over the past two years, sports cards have increased in value. Celebrities like Logan Paul & Chad Breznick documented making seven figures trading their sports cards.
However, was all of it just a trend? You’ll be happy to know that the short answer to this question is no.
Sports cards have been around for over a century now, and some baseball cards from the early 1900s still hold value.
Factors such as nostalgia and sentimental value have significantly increased the demand for certain sports cards, driving up secondary market prices.
A handful of early adopters and fanatics maximized these fluctuations successfully. But with the sudden hype for sports cards stagnating, you can expect prices to normalize.
Consider selling some of your sports cards before that happens. Otherwise, you’ll miss out on massive profits once they return to their primary market prices.
To make the valuation process quicker, follow this guide for appraising the secondary market prices of sports cards.
Your card’s manufacturer can normally be identified by the markings on the back of your cards.
For the publication date, it’s usually the year following the card’s last year of recorded stats.
Try doing a Google search of the player & manufacturer of your card until you find an exact match.
The condition of your card can affect your card's value anywhere from a few bucks to several grand.
You should be looking out for:
- Surface wear - Corners - Image to Border Alignment - Texture - Printing Quality
Once you know your cards manufacturer & publication date, look for exact listings online.
For instance, you can input your card number and manufacturer, then filter the results to “Recently Sold” on eBay.
After generating multiple options, look for ones that match your card’s physical condition. Compare the prices of ongoing and sold listings.
Don’t base your final appraisal on just 1 or 2 results. Instead, log all recently sold listings you find.
Don’t stop until you find an accurate result matching your card’s condition. Take into account the PSA grading and physical condition similar to yours as well.
One of the primary drivers of secondary market prices is sentimental value.
If the demand for a specific card suddenly spikes, its fair market value also increases accordingly.
However, staying updated on the latest updates and news in the sports card industry gives you a higher chance of being an early adopter.
Now that you’ve appraised your cards, it’s time to choose how you want to sell your cards.