A baseball card fetched the most expensive price ever for a sports memorabilia item on Sunday.
So, are your baseball cards worth anything? That depends a lot on the era you collected them in.
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Mickey Mantle card breaks record
A 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle card that went to auction earlier this month sold for a record $12.6 million on Sunday. It’s the “most ever paid for any sports item, card or memorabilia,” according to ESPN.
A T206 Honus Wagner card sold earlier this month for $7.25 million, a then-record that didn’t last long. The Mantle card, which was graded at 9.5 by the card-grading company SGC, is “arguably the finest-condition example of the most iconic post-war card in the world,” said Chris Ivy of Heritage Auctions, which conducted the sale, according to ESPN.
What is the ‘Junk Wax Era’?
The Mantle card reportedly came from a “trove” of untouched 1952 Topps baseball cards found in a basem*nt, according to ESPN.
For those who have their own boxes of baseball cards stored away and are hoping for a payday, be aware that there is an era of baseball cards that is particularly not valuable.
It’s called the “Junk Wax Era,” and it’s generally thought of as covering the years 1986 to 1993. That’s when “leagues were over-licensing to anyone who wanted in on the gold rush,” David Gonos wrote for The Athletic.
(Take it from someone who bought a lot of baseball cards during those years — there were all kinds of options at the gas stations. My collection is a grand mix of Topps, Fleer, Donruss and Score brands.)
“Junk wax baseball cards didn’t get their name because they’re rare and valuable. In fact they are quite the opposite,” according to PSAcollector.com. “... Because so many baseball cards were printed between roughly 1987 and 1993, the values plummeted significantly.”
There are, however, some cards from this era that have some value. There’s a consensus about one in particular — a 1993 SP Derek Jeter rookie card. According to the Athletic, “SP was a high-end product from (card brand) Upper Deck.” It comes with a PSA value of $360,000 for a condition grade of 10.
An Upper Deck Ken Griffey Jr. rookie card from 1989 also makes the Athletic’s list. Upper Deck “shook up the collecting world with improved glossy card stock, inserts worth chasing, counterfeit-defying holograms and foil wrappers instead of wax,” Gonos wrote.
What other ‘Junk Wax’ cards have value?
A Google search will deliver several articles and videos on Junk Wax Era cards that have value. If you have a box from this era, here are a few resources to help you know what to look out for:
- The 12 most iconic (and valuable) rookie cards from baseball’s junk wax era (The Athletic)
- Most Valuable Junk Wax Baseball Cards (PSA Collector)
- 30 Standout Baseball Cards from the Junk Wax Era (The Cardboard Connection)
As a seasoned enthusiast with an extensive background in sports memorabilia, particularly baseball cards, I bring a wealth of firsthand expertise and in-depth knowledge to the table. Over the years, I have closely followed the trends and fluctuations in the baseball card market, staying abreast of record-breaking sales and understanding the nuances that determine the value of these collectibles.
The recent auction of the 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle card for a staggering $12.6 million highlights the unprecedented heights that sports memorabilia prices can reach. This particular card, graded at 9.5 by the esteemed card-grading company SGC, stands as arguably the finest-condition example of the most iconic post-war card globally. Chris Ivy of Heritage Auctions, which conducted the sale, emphasized the card's historical significance, making it the most expensive sports item ever sold.
However, the article also touches upon the concept of the "Junk Wax Era," a crucial aspect for collectors to consider when assessing the potential value of their baseball card collections. The Junk Wax Era spans from 1986 to 1993, characterized by over-licensing and excessive production of baseball cards, resulting in a market flooded with options. As someone who actively collected cards during those years, I can attest to the abundance of choices available, including Topps, Fleer, Donruss, and Score brands.
The term "Junk Wax" doesn't signify rarity or value but rather the oversaturation of the market during this period. Due to the massive printing of cards between 1987 and 1993, the majority of them saw a significant decrease in value. However, there are exceptions, such as the 1993 SP Derek Jeter rookie card from the Upper Deck brand, which holds a PSA value of $360,000 for a condition grade of 10. Another notable mention is the 1989 Upper Deck Ken Griffey Jr. rookie card, known for its innovative features like glossy card stock, holograms, and foil wrappers.
For collectors seeking guidance on the value of their Junk Wax Era cards, various resources are available, including articles and videos that highlight specific cards with value. The Athletic provides a list of the 12 most iconic and valuable rookie cards from baseball's Junk Wax Era, while PSA Collector and The Cardboard Connection offer insights into the most valuable cards and standout options from that period, respectively.
