Collecting NBA cards is a hobby well-known among basketball fans. The hobby has significantly grown in popularity over the last year or so. In April 2021, A LeBron James rookie card sold for a staggering £3.78 million in a private sale.
As a novice card collector, you could try to get your hands on cards like a Shaq rookie card, to begin with. However, if you are looking for valuable NBA cards, know it will require investment upfront. You must understand the different types of NBA cards available and how to know their value.
The article will look at the different types of NBA cards; how to care for them and various factors that affect their value.
Different Card Types Available
Panini America is one of the brands to know about in the NBA card community. Earlier, many brands were producing NBA trade cards. However, this changed when Panini got the exclusive rights to make these cards in 2009. Panini is the host company behind many small brands you will find in the market.
The common types of NBA cards available are:
Base Cards: If you are buying a standard set of packs or boxes, then the cards will be a mix of players from the 30 teams playing in the league. These base cards are valued according to the players’ significance. For example, the base cards of players with none to little experience will be valued low.
On the other hand, base cards of famous players and the rookie drafts for that year will be valued comparatively higher.
Rookie Cards: Rookie cards are the most valuable NBA cards every collector looks for. A card manufactured during a player’s rookie year is known as the rookie card—for example, a Shaq rookie card manufactured in 1992.
Parallels: These are base cards but with certain variations like a holographic finish. Parallels are usually marked by a serial number, which states the number of cards produced. For example, if the card has the number 1, it means it is the only type of card ever made.
Inserts: You will find random insert cards with different themes in the base card set, than what the other cards follow. These cards are usually set aside for the more celebrated players in the league.
Care for the Cards
Caring for your NBA cards is a must if you want your collection to retain its value over time. Your cards will fall in value if the corners are folded, there are scratches on the surface, or they are creased.
Thus, you must invest in supplies such as thin, transparent sleeves, top loaders, or magnetic cases, depending on the value of the cards. You could also invest in binders or boxes to keep your collection safe and intact in one place than have them scattered all over.
Factors Affecting the Value of the Cards
Year of Manufacture: As mentioned earlier, rookie cards are the most valuable NBA cards you can collect. The older the card, the more its value is. For example, a player’s first-year card will be valued higher than a second-year card and so on.
Graded Cards: Cards in mint condition are preferred over those in poor condition. There are companies out there that undertake these grading activities.
Player Performance or Legacy: If a player performs well, their cards will be in high demand. Similarly, if the player starts losing form, the value of the card could get negatively affected. Great players of the game will always be in good demand among collectors.
Collecting NBA cards is one of the fun and rewarding ways of keeping the passion of the game alive. You could start with base cards or decently priced cards if you are a novice getting started with the hobby. However, do invest in supplies to keep your cards safe and help protect their value.