Do you know how to value your cards?

The value of a trading card depends on a combination of the subject's popularity, the scarcity of the card, and the card's condition. In some cases, especially with older cards that preceded the advent of card collecting as a widespread hobby, they have become collectors' items of considerable value. In recent years, many sports cards have not necessarily been appreciated as much in value due to mass production, although some manufacturers have used limited editions and smaller print runs to boost value. There are services that will "Grade" your trading cards on a 1-10 scale with the higher the grade, higher the value format. Many companies offer grading services but the most reputable are Beckett and PSA. Here are the Steps to determining your collections value:


Mint condition - A perfect card; no printing imperfections or damage whatsoever.
Near Mint/Pack Fresh/Factory Fresh – Numerous terms which refer to, with slight variation, the same thing: a collector's grade card. There may be a minor production imperfection or very slight damage from handling or storage, but you have to look carefully to notice. These terms refer to cards in, more or less, the same condition they were in when they left the factory.
Mint/Near Mint - At least near mint. A shorthand for collectors and sellers that do not single out their mint cards but simply deal in anything that is at least near mint.
Excellent – A nearly perfect card, with a bent corner or other minor imperfection.
Fine/Very Good – An otherwise good card with inconspicuous errors which are not easily visible, but can be seen on close inspection.
Good – A card with small amounts of writing on it, poor centering, a mild crease, or worn (but present) corners.
Fair – A damaged card, with damage such as bad creases or completely worn-off corners.
Poor – A seriously damaged card with little value, except if it is extremely rare or limited-edition.


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