Sports cards have always been a valuable commodity, and a particular favourite among collectors who have a passion for sport. But over the years, some types of cards have become more popular than others, and basketball cards have seen a huge resurgence over the last decade. In fact, some collectors believe that some basketball cards have become some of the most valuable on the market, meaning that there’s never been a better time to start collecting.
Starting from scratch can be intimidating, but with the right information, collecting basketball cards can be a rewarding and enjoyable activity.
-
Base Cards
These are the standard cards that are a part of a box or pack of cards. They will usually consist of most of the players from the 30 teams that are currently playing in the league. These are extremely low-priced cards and are generally sold as nothing more than a way for a collector to bulk out their collection while also having a solid range of various players. It’s a fantastic place to start for beginner collectors, however, and sometimes there can be famous NBA players that are a part of the box, which tend to fetch a higher price.
-
Rookies
Rookie cards are cards that are based on a specific player, specifically made during the year that the player was drafted into their team for the first time. These are extremely popular cards among collectors and are generally sold at a much higher price than non-rookie cards. As such, obtaining rookie cards is one of the first steps that a collector will want to take to start adding more value to their collection. This is also where it’s starts being important to learn to keep an eye out for sales and offers by other collectors.
-
Card Grading
Once a collection starts to get sufficiently big and a collector feels that they have an understanding of how and where to get more valuable cards, it’s time to start looking at grading. Fortunately, there are a lot of professional grading companies in the world, and a collector can take cards that they feel might be valuable to get them graded. Not only does this give the card a specific value, but it also helps the collector choose whether they want to keep it in their collection or to sell it off. And to have that grading certificate makes all the difference to the value of the card and how easy it can be to sell it to a different collector or to an auction, or to start saving up for a new card by working or betting on the Melbourne Cup race.
-
Card Protection
Of course, basketball cards are quite fragile, so it’s vital to take the necessary steps to protect them from damage. Plastic sleeves, magnetic cases, and top loaders are all worth the investment to ensure that the cards are safe from damage. Keeping cards in storage boxes can also keep them in great condition, especially if the boxes are sealed properly.