Like numismatics and philately, collecting baseball cards is a popular hobby. Nowadays, fans go crazy on auctions hoping to get precious cards like T206 White Border Honus Wagner. But did you know that the first baseball cards in 1880 were handed out as freebies in cigarette packets? Now it has become a million-dollar market.
So if you own some rare cards or you want to purchase more, you must appraise them before buying or selling. Rare cards are expensive, and you can easily sell them for a decent profit.
Card appraising is a process where a certified individual goes through a card to determine its value in the market. These professionals often offer certificates that identify the card and state its worth.
This guide will discuss everything you need to know about appraising baseball cards. We have also discussed important factors to consider while determining a card’s value.
Factors Affecting Your Baseball Card Value
Before diving into the appraisal process, let us discuss the factors that impact the card value.
You can appraise baseball cards depending on several criteria, like the condition of the card, its rarity, etc. These factors determine the price and valuation of a card.
Now let us discuss each of these criteria in detail.
- Condition Of The Card
The card’s condition is a crucial factor you must consider when assessing its worth. If your card is in top-notch condition, it will definitely be worth more than a damaged one. The condition of your baseball cards will be determined after carefully examining the edges, corners, and surface for damages.
The centering of the image also plays a big role while determining the condition of the cards.
- Surface
Most baseball cards have a glossy or metallic finish, so you can quickly identify any damage on the surface. So if your card has cracks, scratches, or stains, it will affect its value.
- Corners
The corners of your card should be sharp and well-defined. Cards with torn or rounded corners will be considered to be in poor condition and lose their value.
- Edges
You can check for any damage to the edges of a card by looking at it sideways. Common types of edge damage include dents. Many vintage cards have untidy edges due to poor printing methods.
- Centering
The centering of a card refers to the position of the image on the card. Good quality cards are expected to have a centered image of the player, and the borders should also be the same width.
However, some vintage cards have significant issues with centering due to a lack of technology during that time. Simply put, if the image is not centered and there are uneven borders, it negatively impacts the card’s value.
- The Rarity Of The Card
Before the 1980s, the production of baseball cards was limited. So the trading cards from the early 1900s are much more valuable due to their scarcity. Also, if you own a “High-number” Card printed during the baseball season ending, it will be worth more than any other card.
- Player’s Popularity And Performance
1952 Topps #311
Do you have a Babe Ruth card or the 1952 Topps #311? If you do, you are lucky, as these are some of the rare cards and are pretty expensive. Some other highly valued players are Jackie Robinson and Mickey Mantle.
So, if the athlete on the card was famous or well known for their performance during their era, then the card is of much higher value. The popularity of the card can be defined based on the player’s achievement on the field and the card’s design. For example, the 1952 Topps #311 card is worth more due to its up-close portrait and vivid colors.
- Set Type And Date Of Release
The set sequence is another critical factor that determines the value of a card. This is due to the printing and handling process. The first card in any baseball card set is at the top left-hand side corner. So this card is prone to damage and wear and tear as it is more exposed compared to other cards in the set.
For example, finding the 1953 Topps #1 Andy Pafko card in mint condition is almost impossible, and if you own such a card in mint condition, it will be much more valuable.
Another essential factor to be taken into consideration is the date of release. If something extraordinary happened, like a big baseball match or a huge victory where the player made a significant contribution on the date of release of his baseball card, then the card would be considered of much higher value.
Related: How to Organize and Store Your Sports Card Collection
How To Examine the Condition Of Your Card
To determine the condition of a baseball card, card appraisers find out the level of imperfections that the card has. Imperfections or defects can include anything ranging from manufacturing defects to typo errors or any damage.
Baseball Card with Significant Damage
So all cards can be classified based on the number of imperfections and damage they have. This is similar to the grading system used by PSA, where they rank cards based on the amount of damage. So we have classified cards into five categories:
- Near-mint condition cards
They have the least damage. You can identify them by the crisp corners, scratchless surface, and un-damaged edges.
- A lightly played card
These cards can have some border or corner damage and scratches. However, the damage or the scratch should not be too severe.
- Moderately played cards
These cards may have a corner or border damage, scratches, or a combination of these defects. This can be due to mishandling or poor storage.
- Heavily played cards
Heavily played cards showcase a significant amount of wear and tear with bends, scratches, and cracks.
- Damaged cards
Most damaged cards have defects and imperfections beyond the standard, including tears, burns, folds, and other types of damage.
Related: Sports Card Value Scanner App
Tips For Evaluating The Condition Of A Card:
To evaluate the condition of your baseball card, you can check for the following issues:
- Check for scratches
If the card has not been appropriately stored or roughly handled, you can easily identify it by the number of scratches on the surface.
- Whitening
Collectors often use bleaching agents and chemicals to clean or whiten a card. This is done to increase the value of a card. You can try a smell test or pass it through black light to identify any unauthorized use of chemicals.
- Border alignment issues
Many baseball cards might have border alignment issues, a classic example of a manufacturing defect. So you must check the card and identify any issues like these.
- The corner is damaged or peeling
Due to rough use and old age, many cards might have a corner damaged. The foil may start peeling off in some cases due to extensive use. So you have to take care of these things too.
- Bends and cracks
Trading cards are traded between fellow collectors and friends; not everyone is careful with these cards. So many trading cards might have bends or cracks on the surface and at the back.
- Water damage
If collectors are not careful and the card gets in contact with water, it can be severely damaged, leading to stains and marks on the card. This will have a significant impact on the value of a card, even if it is rare.
Related: What’s the Point of Baseball Cards? Do They Matter?
Determining The Rarity Of The Card
There are hundreds and thousands of baseball trading cards circulating in the market. However, some cards are priced at $1, and some expensive ones, like the 2009 Mike Trout Bowman Chrome Draft Red Refractor Autograph /5, can cost you $922,500. So why are some cards more valuable than others?
2009 Mike Trout Bowman Chrome Draft Red Refractor Autograph /5
To answer this question, you must understand the concept of rarity. If a card has a certain history attached to it or it is one of the few pieces available in the market, then such a card is known as a rare card. The rarity of a card can also be determined by its year of production and the uniqueness of its design. So these cards are much fewer in number, are unique, and therefore, are much more expensive than other cards.
The rarity of a baseball trading card has a huge impact on its value. The rarer the baseball trading card is, the more expensive it becomes. To determine the rarity of your baseball trading card, you can consider the following factors:
- Print Run
Usually, when trying to find out the rarity of a specific baseball card, the first information you need is when the card was printed and how many of them were printed.
For example, common cards released in 1910 are more expensive due to the limited supply and because most of them either got lost or damaged over time.
- Distribution In The Market
Another good way to determine the rarity is to check the secondary market. Rare and valuable cards will not be available on public marketplaces like eBay.
Still, you can search eBay and other websites to see the latest listings and finished auctions. If the card is not listed, it indicates that you have a valuable piece in your possession.
In addition, several grading companies offer a population report that tracks the approximate number of cards they have graded. The numbers might not be accurate, but you can also use them to determine the card’s rarity.
Player Popularity And Performance
Another big factor that impacts the worth or value of a baseball card is the player. The more popular the player or the team is, the more likely it is that the card is valuable.
National Baseball Hall Of Fame cards
Most of the National Baseball Hall Of Fame cards (players who have won Triple Crown, Gold Glove Awards, or American League winners) are expensive compared to some of the common cards available in the market. However, some common cards can also be expensive due to emotional reasons. But in most cases, baseball cards having the star or best players of that era are much more expensive and valuable than others.
Apart from these cards, some rookie cards of popular players in their first year as a professional are also worth more.
To check the player stats and the popularity of a certain baseball card, you can always go through the multiple marketplaces where baseball cards are sold. You can also contact professional appraisers to get an idea of a certain baseball card.
What Are Some Of The Most Valuable Players To Look Out For?
Valuable Baseball Cards
- 1932 U.S. Caramel Babe Ruth
- 1948 Leaf Satchel Paige
- 1915 Cracker Jack Ty Cobb
- 1952 Topps Willie Mays
- 1955 Topps Roberto Clemente
- 1909 T206 Ty Cobb (Bat Off Shoulder)
- 1914 Baltimore News Babe Ruth
Set Type And Date Of Release
Set building is a favorite hobby and is considered extremely important by cartophiles. Most passionate baseball card collectors spend hours and days completing a certain set. The process can be quite tricky and frustrating; however, the rewards are worth the effort.
Some card sets are considered more valuable than others due to the key features, the popularity of the players, the rarity of the cards, the composition, uniqueness, design, etc.
What Are Some Of The Most Valuable Sets To Look Out For?
1941 Play Ball
- 1909-11 T206: Well-known for 76 Hall of Fame cards.
- 1915 Cracker Jack: Known for the Unique, bold, and red background.
- 1933 Goudey: Contains top Hall of Fame cards like Jimmie Foxx and Carl Hubbell.
- 1941 Play Ball: First-ever Play Ball set to use color for designing.
- 1952 Topps: Major attraction is #1 card, Andy Afko, and ends with Hall of Fame rookie card #407, Eddie Mathews.
Appraisal Process
Appraising a baseball card is the process where a third-party professional or company reviews your baseball card or the collection and assigns a value to it based on its rarity, condition, and design. The appraisal process is essential to determine the exact value of a rare card that you own.
Step-By-Step Guide On How To Appraise A Baseball Card
Now if you are willing to get an estimate worth of the baseball cards you own, then you must know how the appraisal process works. So here is a step-by-step guide on how the appraisal process of a baseball card works.
- Preparing For The Process
Before getting your cards appraised, you must make specific preparations depending on the appraisal process you choose (either online or offline). You must take good-quality pictures of the cards you plan to sell and prepare an inventory.
- Type Of Appraisal Process
- You can submit photos of your baseball card online to well-known appraising services like Just Collect and All Vintage Cards. The expert will thoroughly go through it and then offer the value.
- You can also submit a list of cards that you own if you are uncomfortable sharing pictures of your prized possessions.
- You can bring your cards for an appraisal if you visit a local card shop.
- You can visit card shows or events to buy and sell valuable baseball cards for your collection. Here you will find experts who also offer appraisal services.
- You can even contact an appraiser and arrange a home visit to verify your cards.
- If you trust a particular card appraiser, you can also send your valuable cards over mail for validation.
- Final Result And Grading
Once you send the cards to the professional, they will go through them carefully. They will go through the edges and corners, examine the damages, research the history of the card, and then finally tell you whether it is valuable.
Some appraisal services also offer grading services where they provide a certificate of authentication, which is necessary if you are planning to sell your card.
You can click here to get more details about the process.
Use Of Price Guides And Online Resources
You can always use eBay and other marketplaces to determine the price of your card. However, not every card is available on public websites. Here you can use some professional tools from Beckett Media and F+W Media.
Many professionals also visit the Collector’s Universe. This website updates the monthly price for every valuable card. The data is taken from authenticated websites, stores, auctions, card shows, etc.
Importance Of Getting A Professional Card Appraisal
There is a massive difference between self-evaluating your baseball card collection and getting a professional card appraisal service. It is not mandatory to get your card appraised. However, if you believe that you own a high-value card, then you must get it examined by an expert before selling it.
The expert can also grade your card, adding to its value. Did you know that serious card collectors only buy a valuable baseball card if it has been professionally graded? So during the appraisal, the expert will evaluate the cut and finish of the card, verify its rarity and then determine its worth. So a professional appraisal service protects both the buyer and seller.
Appraising Baseball Cards FAQs
- How much does it cost to get baseball cards appraised?
A basic card appraisal service can cost somewhere between $200 to $2000. Some other card appraisers can charge you based on the value of the cards you are appraising, like $1000 for a valuation of $100,000.
- How do I check the value of my baseball cards?
To check the value of your baseball cards, you can always refer to eBay or other baseball card collector’s community websites or pages. You need to contact a professional card appraiser to get an exact value.
- Is there an app to appraise baseball cards?
CollX is a popular trading card scanning application that lets users scan any sports trading card, like baseball, basketball, hockey, soccer, etc. The app can immediately identify the card and offer an estimated market value.
- How do I get my cards appraised?
You can get in touch with your local card shop, which can help you with card appraisal services. You can also contact an appraiser online, send them a scanned image of your card, and get an estimated value. The PSA dealer directory also has a huge list of some of the well-known wholesale, retail, and appraisal companies.
Conclusion
For decades, sports fans have enjoyed collecting cards of their favorite champions and trading them with their friends and fellow collectors. If you want to buy a rare card, you must be aware of the appraisal process so you are not duped. You can get your cards appraised by a local professional or an online appraisal service like PSA.
If you are an avid baseball card collector, you can buy cards from authorized auctions like Pristine Auctions or PWCC Marketplace.