The global sports trading card market is valued at nearly $13 billion, according to recent estimates from Yahoo Finance. The market value is attributed to such top-performing segments as baseball, basketball, football, and hockey. Such collections may also be supplemented with additional valuables like signatures, vintage jerseys, photos, and authentic equipment like signed baseballs.
It’s crucial to understand this market inside and out if you intend to sell sports cards in the future. A large collection of authentic, valuable sports cards is an excellent investment when built strategically from the start. Collectors must buy from reputable sources that can prove authenticity.
There are several more factors to consider when selling a sports card collection. Learn more in the following guide!
Think About Valuable Sports Cards from the Start
If you want to sell your card collection for the highest price, you must build a collection with value in mind. However, this doesn’t mean you have to spend tens of thousands of dollars on a card. Start by doing your research to uncover unbeatable deals on cards poised to grow in value.
A few factors determine a card’s value:
- The sports star
- The year
- The condition of the card
- The maker of the card
- The card set
- The sports category (baseball, basketball, etc.)
Baseball cards still command the highest value on the market with some of the oldest trading cards representing such teams as the Brooklyn Atlantics. These vintage cards were produced as early as 1865!
You can learn more about the earliest baseball cards through the Library of Congress which has its own collection of 19th-century baseball cards. Since multiple copies were printed, some may be available to buy on auction sites, though rare. These cards were typically printed on the back of vintage advertising cards for chewing tobacco, and later, chewing gum.
The internet is full of educational content on sports card collecting. There are also collector’s forums where you can learn more about the market and where to buy rare sports cards. Take note of any collector’s conventions in the country.
Always keep card condition in mind. If rare cards are too expensive, invest in trading cards that are in excellent condition. You can buy these cards at a lower cost but sell them at higher prices with proper upkeep.
Invest In Sports Card Collection Supplies
Keeping collectible cards in pristine condition should be a priority of every sports card collector. Don’t keep your cards loose in a shoebox. Invest in sports card binders and plastic card holder sheets with pockets.
The above supplies protect cards from scratching, dust, folded corners, spills, and tears. You can also fit multiple cards on both sides of a plastic card collection sheet. This method makes the cards easier to view, especially when showing them to potential buyers.
Consider buying a separate bookcase for your card collection binders. Label the spines of these binders to make them easier to categorize and retrieve for future sales.
Card collection binders also come with zippable covers to avoid any damage to the plastic protectors themselves. Some cards are so rare and valuable that they require their own hard plastic protectors. Sellers who specialize in rare cards will often sell them with special protectors, including certificates of authentication.
Store your card collections in a cool, dry area without moisture buildup. Direct heat and sunlight can also damage card collections that are too exposed to the elements. Collectors with large, rare, or highly valuable collections may want to consider renting temperature-controlled storage units.
Keep a Database of Valuable Sports Cards
As your collection grows, you’ll need to keep a database of information. It’s important to take note of changing values, as well. You can use a simple database program like Excel or Google Sheets to organize your database.
Data columns to include:
- Name of the sports star (i.e., Babe Ruth)
- Sports team name
- Name of the card manufacturer
- The year the card was made
- Condition of the card
- Name of the collection set
- The card’s rarity level (common to extremely rare)
- Other information of note (i.e., additional memorabilia)
- A photo of the card
Any authentication information should be noted for each card, as well. You can scan and upload appraisal documents and link them to your database. It’s smart to have all the information on hand when a potential buyer inquires about your collection.
Take high-quality photos of your cards, including any protective supplies. Recording a video can also help potential buyers get a good look at the condition of the collection.
Invest in professional grading and appraisal services. Cards with this proof command higher prices. Career collectors look for these data points when buying cards for their own collections.
Sell Sports Cards Individually vs. Collections
There are different ways to collect and sell sports cards. Many collectors find it easier to sell entire collections for one lump sum. In these cases, the individual cards themselves may carry a lower value, but the collection itself is so large (and in excellent condition) that it commands a much higher price.
The above collecting (and selling) strategy speaks to the importance of buying cards in excellent condition and keeping those cards in pristine condition. The individual cards may also increase in value over the years.
Seasoned collectors follow the market and can estimate when particular cards are poised to increase in value.
Look for cards that memorialize iconic moments in sports. These cards can grow in value and may be of interest to collectors who specialize in history. You can also buy cards in bulk, resulting in a much lower price per card, selling each card for a higher markup, generating a decent profit.
Sell Your Cards the Right Way
If you want to sell sports cards, start with a plan. This process begins with research. Think about various buyer markets, some may be interested in iconic moments, specific decades, or players. Invest in supplies to keep your collections in excellent condition.
There’s so much to discover in this market. American Legends knows the sports trading card world inside and out, specializing in baseball, hockey, basketball, football, and other sports memorabilia of note. Our owners are avid card collection veterans who started amassing their own collections by the 1970s.
Contact us today to sell your collection or learn more about our appraisal service.
