The hobby of collecting sports cards is as much an institution as the games they celebrate. Some people collect cards to own physical artifacts of their favorite players; others invest in a chance to strike it rich with a rare card of a big-name athlete, often getting the card appraised to cement its status as a high-quality, must-have prize.
There’s no shortage of reasons to take up sports collectables as a hobby. Some participate in the pastime because they’re fans of an athlete or professional sports team, while others enjoy the social aspect of trading with fellow collectors to build impressive sets.
Feel like you’ve been watching the exploding sports card market from the sidelines long enough, and it’s finally time to jump in? Welcome. You’re about to join a fast-moving, fascinating, and — yes — occasionally overwhelming world, but thankfully you’re already in the right place. This guide will show you how to sell sports cards, as well as how to buy them, whether you’re online, on social media, or prefer the old standby of trawling stores and conventions.
What are the most valuable sports cards on the market? Collectors and appraisers consider several factors to determine which sports cards hold the most value. Whether you’re interested in baseball cards, basketball cards, or collectible cards for other sports, clearly defined criteria determine which are the most valuable for each category. Keep reading to learn what goes into the appraisal process — as well as our list of the top 100 most valuable sports cards that may make you wonder “how much are my sports cards worth?”
Sales of sports cards are booming. In 2020, eBay reported that sports card sales increased on their site by 142 percent over 2019 levels. By 2021, eBay said the number of sports card buyers had doubled, with much of the growth coming from “collectors, flippers and those who are turning to trading cards as another avenue of investment to diversify their portfolios.”
Welcome back to Fractionaut Spotlight, where we highlight collectors from our Discord community and ask them five questions about their collecting experience. The next collector we are highlighting is parrotdave#4941.
Is it time? Are you finally ready? That shelf full of binders is packed with treasure, and you could use some cash. Sports cards are still a precious commodity with a large and active community of traders, collectors, and fanatics. If you’ve been sitting on a few mint condition rookie cards, now might be the perfect time to start selling your sports cards online.
It could be a lucky find, a recent inheritance, or unearthing an old box from your childhood in your attic. Whatever the case, you’ve likely found yourself possessing a handful of vintage sports cards. You’ve seen the headlines boasting huge payouts, and you’re thinking to yourself, “Is there anyone who buys sports cards near me?”
Welcome to Fractionaut Spotlight, where we feature collectors from our Discord community, ask them about their collecting experience and highlight their PCs. ICYMI, “Fractionauts” are what we call collectors on Dibbs, the members of our community.
Sports card enthusiasts don’t go through the effort of collecting solely in the hopes of an eventual payday: They are often driven by a genuine love of sports history, the cards, and the hunt.
