Beginner trying to find value/worth in existing collection

schassenj · November 16, 2021 10:49AM

I apologize for what I am sure is a repetitive question asked here. In trying to skim through the forums I don't really see a quick beginners guide or references on how to start out.
I have consolidated my families and mines collection of baseball cards that we gathered in my younger years and have no idea where to start in trying to value them for insurance or even to sell. I don't know if these full sets of cards are worth anything or just some of the key players or short run cards that are in them. I have a broad collection and haven't paid attention to this hobby in over 2 decades. I have some key name players like Mickey Mantle, Bob Uecker, Ernie Banks, Bo Jackson, Michael Jordon, even a John Elway rookie card; to un open packs like the looney toon cards. I have full sets including the foil cards for that year and even an un opened set of the 1989 Topps complete set.
Any help in pointing me down the right path in starting to validate the value would be appreciated as I am assuming this will take some time and diligence to figure out what I have and what is worth anything.

schassenj · November 16, 2021 10:58AM

Forgot to include this one.
[img]https://i.ibb.co/d47Tgk6/20211115-120422.jpg[/img]

RufussCkingston · November 16, 2021 11:26AM

All about the puzzle pieces!! Ungraded, I'm not sure if there is $2k in value here?

Ahmanfan · November 16, 2021 11:29AM

The 87-1991 stuff you have (even full sets) has very little value. I'd try and get $5-10 a set for those.

The older stuff you have has value, along with key names in Basketball and Football.

Best place to go to answer this question is if there is someone local to you with knowledge of sportscards that is where I would start.

schassenj · November 16, 2021 1:28PM

@Ahmanfan said:
The 87-1991 stuff you have (even full sets) has very little value. I'd try and get $5-10 a set for those.

The older stuff you have has value, along with key names in Basketball and Football.

Best place to go to answer this question is if there is someone local to you with knowledge of sportscards that is where I would start.

Thank you, most don't want to take the time. I also have a card that as far as I can tell is a one of a kind that no one can figure out if it is worth a penny or worth a million according to my local guy, It is a 1989 Upperdeck baseball card of Paul O'Neill and Bobby Bonilla on the same card. It has the two of the faces of each card and not the back. I am assuming this was a printing error at Upper Deck that probably should have been destroyed but wasn't. Below is the link to the card. I am more interested if these are worth adding to our home insurance or not.

https://youtu.be/M450SK8du7Q

vols1 · November 16, 2021 2:10PM

I doubt you would get more than a couple hundred for the lot. 1980’s cards are common and Cardboard is heavy, it would cost more to ship than it’s worth.

AANV · November 16, 2021 3:47PM

I am more interested if these are worth adding to our home insurance or not.

No

miwlvrn · November 16, 2021 4:22PM

The one item I noticed that caught my eye as far as value among the bunch is in your last link. If you were to sub the 1989 Upper Deck Griffey w/ Auto and it came back in high grade with the autograph being deemed authentic, then you'd have a nice piece with that one. Same thing goes for the 1989 Bowman Griffey Jr. + Sr. that has an Auto on it as well (sitting next to the 1989 UD Griffey card in your photo).

GilR · November 16, 2021 4:57PM

Regarding that Paul O'Neill card, if you search eBay for "george brett mother of all errors" you'll find something similar being offered for more than $6000, which is one of the crazier listings I've recently seen. Though I can't prove it's NOT worth $6000.

robert67 · November 16, 2021 6:04PM

If it were me, I would pull the Hall of Famers and old favorite players/teams out of those boxes.

If the condition is nice put them in penny sleeves and top loaders. Plus, I think it’s a lot of fun to go through boxes like this. Never know what you may find hidden away.

As stated above, the older stuff may require some time and research to figure out value.

Most of the 80’s commons are cards you may want to donate unless they have sentimental value which appears to not be the case.

Or, you could list the 80’s stuff on Facebook or another online place and sell as a bulk lot. However, many lots like this sell for less than $50-100.

Good luck.

vols1 · November 16, 2021 6:05PM

@schassenj said:

@Ahmanfan said:
The 87-1991 stuff you have (even full sets) has very little value. I'd try and get $5-10 a set for those.

The older stuff you have has value, along with key names in Basketball and Football.

Best place to go to answer this question is if there is someone local to you with knowledge of sportscards that is where I would start.

Thank you, most don't want to take the time. I also have a card that as far as I can tell is a one of a kind that no one can figure out if it is worth a penny or worth a million according to my local guy, It is a 1989 Upperdeck baseball card of Paul O'Neill and Bobby Bonilla on the same card. It has the two of the faces of each card and not the back. I am assuming this was a printing error at Upper Deck that probably should have been destroyed but wasn't. Below is the link to the card. I am more interested if these are worth adding to our home insurance or not.

Unfortunately PSA does not grade misprinted cards. It might be worth $25 to an Upper Deck collector as a novelty item. A similar card is listed for $100...https://ebay.com/itm/284433182298?hash=item423989ee5a:g:~VEAAOSwkrhhLTw5

basketballcollector · November 16, 2021 7:37PM

Give the cards to one of the lower end auction houses and they will figure out how to sell them. Try

Wheatland Auctions
Love of the Game Auctions
Andy Sandler All Sports Auctions
Sterling Auctions
etc,... etc,... etc,...

swish54 · November 17, 2021 6:29AM

Like others have said, the late 80's/90's stuff isn't really worth anything. The 89 UD Griffey auto would be pretty valuable if authenticated. That could be $500+ and in really nice condition could be 4 figures. The Jordans would be worth pulling out.
The vintage HOF stuff (pre 80) would be where your $ is at. Looks like they are in pretty nice condition as well. If you're looking to maximize resale value, those HOFers need to be graded, plus the other key RC's (Sandberg, Griffey, 91 UD Jordan etc). For example, the 61 Mantle in a mid grade PSA 4 is a $500 card and goes up from there. The 56 Banks could be a $200-$600 card as well in mid grade. I even saw some 40's stuff...41 Play Ball maybe? If those aren't reprints, even commons could be $20 raw...HOFers would be a lot more. I could see 5K in that stuff and if they are mid-high grades (too hard to tell the difference between a PSA 4 and a PSA 7 by those pics which would be a big jump in $) I could see that doubled, especially if there's more of that kind us stuff not pictured.

AANV · November 17, 2021 12:26PM

@basketballcollector said:
Give the cards to one of the lower end auction houses and they will figure out how to sell them. Try

Wheatland Auctions
Love of the Game Auctions
Andy Sandler All Sports Auctions
Sterling Auctions
etc,... etc,... etc,...

This collection seems like way too much work for any established auction house.

Beginner trying to find value/worth in existing collection

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