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How to Find Out How Much Your Rookie Cards Are Worth

Rookie cards are some of the most popular̵2;and valuable̵2;sports cards. Like the teams that draft the player, sports card collectors hope the player will become a star and the value of their cards will increase. A rookie card must be a regular, issued card printed by one of the major card companies. It cannot be a limited edition card inserted into a set. Players can have more than one rookie card. Derek Jeter of the New York Yankees has eight, according to Beckett, which is considered one of the leading sports card price guides.

Things You'll Need

Sports card price guide
Magnifying glass

Instructions

- 1
  Buy a price guide for the card's sport. Beckett and Tuff Stuff are monthly price guide magazines and can be purchased at bookstores. Beckett also produces a subscription online price guide.
- 2
  Determine the card's year, manufacturer and number. You can find the year and manufacturer by looking at the trademark on the back of the card. The card number is usually found on the back of the card near the top.
- 3
  Determine the condition of the card̵7;s corners. Use a magnifying glass to determine whether the corners are sharp, slightly worn but still distinct, fuzzy (beginning to fray) or rounded (can see layers of cardboard).
- 4
  Determine whether the card̵7;s image is centered.
- 5
  Determine whether the card has a crease or stain.
- 6
  Compare the card̵7;s condition to the price guide̵7;s grades. The price guide will list the characteristics of each. Common grades are mint, near mint, excellent-mint, excellent, very good, good, fair and poor.
- 7
  Look up the card̵7;s high price and low price. The card̵7;s value falls into the range.

Sports Cards Collecting