Best Football Cards To Buy
As an avid football card collector, you comprehend the intricate value of each card in your collection. With the vast array of football cards available in the market, making judicious purchases could prove to be a significant challenge. Within this article, “Best Football Cards To Buy”, the focus is on unveiling the most valuable football cards that you could consider adding to your collection, providing you with in-depth analysis of each card’s unique attributes and potential for growth in value over time.
Understanding Football Cards
Football cards, often small bi-fold pieces of cardboard, encapsulate much more than just a standard alphanumeric character set and a picture; they are chronological keepsakes of momentous games, significant players, and milestone events in the thrilling game of football.
Definition and Purpose of Football Cards
Football cards are designed with the purpose of building a connection between fans and the sport they admire and support. Each card encapsulates the stats, information, and details of individual players, their teams, and football history. It encapsulates an era, a sensation and palpably reflects the passion that both the sport and its myriad enthusiasts share. However, their purpose is not just limited to sentiment and nostalgia, but they also serve as serious trading materials, with their value increasing over the years.
Collecting vs. Investing in Football Cards
Football card collection surely harks back to an innocent and simple era of personal pleasures, yet when seen under the economic lens, it is also viewed as an astute form of investment. Collecting is generally driven by pure interest and passion for the sport, a player, or a team. Overall, collecting is a hobby where the bulk of the joy lies in the accumulation. Investing, however, relies heavily on the potential return of investment. Should you aim to be an investor, the desire is to acquire cards with the potential for their value to increase over time, turning a tidy profit when re-sold.
Important Factors When Buying Football Cards
As a collector or investor in football cards, it is sensible to consider certain factors when acquiring a new card.
Player Performance and Potential
A significant factor that influences the value of a football card is the performance and potential of the player it represents. Successful and promising players tend to have highly valued cards due to their popularity, achievements, and future prospects.
Card Condition and Grading
The condition of a football card plays a crucial role in determining its worth. Cards in pristine or near-pristine condition are likely to fetch higher prices than cards with visible signs of wear or damage. The grading of the card, done by reputable agencies, delineates the card’s condition on a scale, often from 1 to 10, with 10 being the best.
Rarity and Demand of the Card
The rarity and demand of a card also significantly contribute to its value. Limited edition cards or cards of popular players and teams tend to be rare and highly sought after in the market.
Team and Era Represented by the Card
The team and era that a card represents can also impact its value. Cards representing successful teams or a particular memorable era in football can be particularly valuable to collectors and investors.
Best Football Rookie Cards
There are certain rookie cards that are sought after due to their high potential value.
Joe Burrow 2020 Panini Prizm
The 2020 Panini Prizm card of Joe Burrow, the promising quarterback rookie, has shone brightly in the card market. This card aesthetically showcases Joe Burrow in action, coupled with Prizm’s consistent quality.
Tua Tagovailoa 2020 Panini Mosaic
Tua Tagovailoa’s performance has not disappointed, and thus, his 2020 Panini Mosaic card is frequently sought after.
Justin Herbert 2020 Donruss Football
Justin Herbert, another prominent quarterback player, is captured in the 2020 Donruss football card. This card is striking, and it encapsulates the player’s remarkable potential in physical form.
Best Vintage Football Cards
Vintage football cards provide an exquisite glimpse into the memories of past football legends, making these vintage cards desirable.
1958 Topps Jim Brown
The Jim Brown Rookie card is iconic. Released by Topps in 1958, this card shows the legendary fullback in his number 32 jersey and is highly coveted by collectors and fans.
1981 Topps Joe Montana
This vintage card featuring Joe Montana in his prime is still a favorite among collectors due to Montana’s remarkable career and contribution to the sport.
1984 Topps USFL Steve Young
This card holds a special place due to Steve Young’s remarkable career in football. Portraying Young in his USFL days, this card is an emblem of his notable journey through the sport.
1976 Topps Walter Payton
Walter Payton’s rookie card, released in 1976 by Topps, is universally regarded due to Payton’s rich legacy in football. This card mirrors his dynamic ability and impressionable career.
Best Autographed Football Cards
Autographed cards carry an additional value; the authentic signature of the player makes the card unique and exclusive.
2000 Playoff Contenders Championship Ticket Tom Brady Auto
This card is unique due to the authentic tangle of Tom Brady’s signature adorning this rookie championship ticket card. Coupled with Brady’s exceptional legacy, this card stands as a prime piece.
2018 Panini Contenders Optic Patrick Mahomes II Auto
Mahomes’s autograph card is symbolic of the high expectations he’s engendered in football and, thus, carries immense potential.
2012 Topps Chrome Russell Wilson Auto
The 2012 Topps Chrome card of Russell Wilson, signed by this applauded quarterback, is a card that carries significant potential for high returns.
Best Memorabilia Football Cards
These unique cards carry bits and pieces of player memorabilia, often team shirts or signed pieces, making these cards rare and incredibly valuable because of the integrated memorabilia.
2001 Playoff Preferred Materials LaDainian Tomlinson
This card carries a small piece of a game-worn jersey from LaDainian Tomlinson, the admired running back, providing an additional feature that contributes to its value.
2004 Topps Draft Picks & Prospects Eli Manning/Ben Roethlisberger Dual Jersey
This unique card not only features two contemporary quarterbacks but also carries swatches from both players’ jerseys.
2005 Leaf Rookies & Stars Longevity Target Ruby Tom Brady Jersey
This card is considered as one of the best due to the fact it carries a piece of Tom Brady’s jersey, which has been integrated into the card itself.
Best Upcoming Players Cards to Invest in
Despite the lure of legendary and established players, it’s also strategic to keep an eye on promising rookies who have shown potential for greatness.
2021 Trevor Lawrence Rookie Card
Trevor Lawrence is one of the highly anticipated rookies in recent times. His rookie card holds huge potential for growth given his promising performance.
2021 Justin Fields Rookie Card
Justin Fields, another promising quarterback, has a card that showcases his potential and is expected to accrue value as he carves out his career.
2021 Zach Wilson Rookie Card
Zach Wilson’s rookie card is another valuable asset for its expected high return as he moves ahead in his career.
High-End Football Cards
These are some of the high-end production lines that provide the most luxurious and value-dense cards in the market.
National Treasures
National Treasures is Panini America’s high-end product line containing the most promising rookies and veterans. It features autographs, memorabilia cards, and booklets, among other high-value items.
Flawless Collection
The Flawless Collection by Panini America is regarded for its exquisite design, stunning autographed cards, and embedded gemstones. It has a reputation for providing some of the most beautiful and valuable cards.
Immaculate Collection
The Immaculate Collection by Panini America offers cards that are visually appealing with high-quality imagery, as well as autographed cards.
Places to Buy Football Cards
The market for football cards is wide and varied, providing numerous platforms and venues for its purchase.
Local Sports Memorabilia Shops
Local sports memorabilia shops are a good starting point for finding football cards. They usually have a good range of varying cards and can provide on-the-spot expertise and advice.
Online Marketplaces
Digital platforms have revolutionized the way trading cards are bought and sold. Online marketplaces like eBay provide a global reach and a vast variety of cards from all eras.
Sports Card Traders and Collectors Shows
These are dedicated events where various sellers, buyers, and enthusiasts gather to trade cards. Trade shows provide a unique platform to discover exclusive and rare cards.
How to Protect Your Football Card Investment
It is fundamentally important to protect your football card investment to guarantee their longevity, and possibly, your future returns.
Proper Storage and Handling of Cards
Cards should be stored in a cool, dry place, protected from dust, and handled carefully to avoid any damage that could negatively impact their overall condition and worth.
Acquiring Card Insurance
Securing an insurance policy for your valuable cards can be a prudent move. While it may seem like an additional cost, the protection it provides could prove invaluable in case of accidental damage, theft, or loss.
Getting Cards Graded and Encased
Having your cards graded and encapsulated by professional services can both protect and enhance the value of your cards. The grade can effectively communicate the condition of the card to potential buyers or fellow collectors, possibly augmenting its appeal and worth.
