WHAT FACTORS DETERMINE THE VALUE OF A BASEBALL CARD?
There are several factors that can determine the value of a baseball or sports card, such as the rarity, age, condition, and popularity of the athlete. Here are some steps to take in order to determine if your cards are worth anything:
CONDITION IS KING
Check the condition: The condition of the card is crucial in determining its value. Cards that are in good condition with minimal wear and tear will generally be worth more than those in poor condition.
PROPERLY IDENTIFY THE CARD
Identify the card: Look for the player's name, year, and brand of the card. This information will help you determine the rarity and age of the card, which can affect its value.
Also understand the proper size of the card, many times, cards get trimmed in order to make the edges look sharper, measure the card against other cards from the same set or product.
IS IT REALLY RARE?
Check for rarity: Look to see if you have numbered cards (numbered XXX out of YYY), special edition or limited edition cards. These are often more valuable than standard issue cards. But not all cards are rare (for that matter, not all Michael Jordan or Tom Brady cards are rare) so understand what makes your cards "rare".
RESEARCH PRICES BASED ON PREVIOUS SALES
Research prices: Once you have identified the card, do some research to find out what similar cards have sold for. Check online marketplaces or consult with a professional card appraiser to get an accurate value estimate.
Don't confuse graded cards with non-graded cards when establishing value. Graded cards can with high grades can sell for much more than "raw" cards and "raw" cards values should not be determined by graded card sales. Values for raw cards should not be based on what a card "might" grade and value should be based on raw card prices. PSA 10 grades are EXTREMELY HARD TO GET that's why PSA 10 graded cards demand top dollar.
IS IT A REPRINT OR FAKE?
Consider authentication: If you have a rare or valuable card, consider getting it authenticated by a reputable third-party grading service. An authenticated card will generally sell for more than an unauthenticated one.
Reprints and counterfeit cards are out there; it's the more valuable cards and players that get counterfited the most. Again, do your research to understand what real cards from that set or era really look like and what their sizes are.
ENLIST AN EXPERT TO HELP
It's difficult to determine if a card is valuable so enlisting an expert to help you understand the value of your card can help you get the most money for sale. Experts can help you establish a realistic value for your card and help you understand the reasoning for the value. They can even help you find the right buyer or the right auction house to use to get the most for your cards.
What's My Baseball Card Worth? What does the market say?
RESOURCES
Grading Resources
Professional Grading Services