How to Estimate the Value of a Sports Card

Instead of sticking sports cards in the spokes of your bicycle wheels, you might be able to use them to make some extra cash. Follow these steps to determine the value of your cards.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Sports Cards Price Guides
• Internet Access
• Sports Cards

1. Read information on the back of each card, including the name of the player, year of the card, manufacturer of the card and the box set from which the card was collected.

2. Go to a sports cards dealer, bookstore or an Internet collectibles site.

3. View current price guides for the relevant sport.

4. Search for brand, year and box set of the card in each price guide.

5. Search for the player name, often accompanied by a card serial number matching the number on the back of the card.

6. Scan across the player name to the price listed.

7. Examine the card to determine its condition. Look for worn edges, printing inconsistencies and small imperfections.

8. Consult the price guide's definition of "mint condition" (typically listed at the beginning of the guide) to determine the value of the card.

Tips & Warnings

• Research multiple price guides, go to card shows and check with dealers to confirm value.
• Beckett, a well-established guide, lists prices in two columns - "mint condition" and "near-mint condition." Other price guides list HI (full retail selling price) and LO (lowest price on the market).
• Because guides reflect dealer prices, you might find it difficult to buy and sell at listed prices. Values vary.
• Be cautious of counterfeit cards and pack tampering.

[bama1965]

on 4/5/2009 rookiestars.com has a great and totally free online sports card price guide. It has 1000's of cards listed including baseball, basketball, football and hockey.

[vikegirl28]

on 1/19/2009 If you really want to find people who are interested in your cards, you should check out some online communities of card collectors like beta.zistle.com or other online forums. Zistle will actually match people who are interested in your cards based on your wantlist.

[theripper]

on 1/3/2009 i have over 350,000 sports cards in great shape
90 percent of them are in excellent shape.
over 100000 rookie cards .
only interested people reply ([e-mail])

[ELDRED17]

on 10/6/2008 I HAVE 456 BASEBALL CARDS AT LEAST ASSORTED TEAMS AND I ALSO HAVE ABOUT 200 FOOTBALL CARDS ASSORTED TEAMS. IF YOU ARE INTERESTED OR YOU KNOW SOMEBODY THAT IS PLEASE CONTACT ME AT THIS PHONE #[phone] OR THIS EMAIL ADDRESS [e-mail]