A few questions about early 1990s wax. Hope somebody that had a shop or knowledge can help.

1980scollector

I always loved the 1991 Donruss elite cards I pulled the Henderson and Brett out of packs as a kid.

A few questions about this product.

Is it true that elite cards can only be pulled from wax packs? Is it true that dealers could find the cards with a metal detector?

I probably busted 100 boxes of that stuff in my life and just can't seem to pull one in adulthood.

With that said what was the odds on pulling one? I understand they never stated odds but hoping for some thoughts on it.

I have had more success with 1992 Donruss but would also like to know how tough it was to pull one. I understand they doubled the elite set size in 1992 so that has to be part of it.


My other question is with Upper Deck. Did anybody know what the odds were to pull a baseball heroes auto of Reggie, Hank etc?

I never pulled one and was always curious.

vols1

"One of the truly landmark sets, these special cards were randomly inserted in the 1991 Donruss first and second series wax packs. These cards marked the beginning of an eight-year run of Elite inserts. Production was limited to a maximum of 10,000 serial-numbered cards for each card in the Elite series, and lesser production for the Ryne Sandberg Signature (5000) and Nolan Ryan Legend (7500) cards. This was the first time that mainstream insert cards were ever serial-numbered allowing for verifiable proof of print runs. Although the exact pack insertion odds were never publicly revealed, it has been estimated that the odds of finding an Elite card were about 1:75/boxes."

"For the second straight year, Donruss created a limited (for 1992) series of serial-numbered insert cards. With the exception of the Rickey Henderson "Legend" card (with is serial-numbered to 7500 copies), each card is numbered to 10,000 copies, and is sequentially numbered as an extension of the 1991 set. Although the odds were not fully disclosed it has been estimated that the chances of pulling an Elite insert were approximately 1:55 waxboxes."

giantsfan20

Not sure about odds but pulled a Reggie Jackson UD and its the top card of the pack and the hologram is different than the regular series ones.

byronscott4ever

I read the same thing about the 1991s and using a metal detector. I seem to recall a hobby magazine publishing a letter about someone who did that. But with the odds of finding one, it would take a lot of work to actually find one. It also seems that the amount of metal used in the card would be pretty minimal so could a regular detector pick it up?

UnwoundSage

Yes they were inserted in wax packs and yes they could be detected with metal detector. I know of a few local card shops at the time that would go to wholesale suppliers that sold boxes of cards and use a small metal detector to go through each box on the pallet. Very profitable endeavor since the player collectors were at the time paying $500-1000 for the Elite cards.

jeffcbay

I find it odd that a metal detector would work since the packs are made of foil. More metal than what's used in an Elite card.

Southsider

<< <i>I find it odd that a metal detector would work since the packs are made of foil. More metal than what's used in an Elite card. >>



I remember them being made of wax, not foil.

jeffcbay

<< <i>

<< <i>I find it odd that a metal detector would work since the packs are made of foil. More metal than what's used in an Elite card. >>



I remember them being made of wax, not foil.

>>



Sorry, I was referring to the 1992 Donruss.

Southsider

Ahh, I see. I do remember those 92 packs, too.

Back in the day I pulled a Tony Gwynn Elite from a pack of 91 Donruss. I thought I had found the holy grail.