Are 1980s and 90s cards worth anything?
Cards from roughly 1987–1994 — the 'junk wax era' — were printed in enormous quantities and are worth very little regardless of who is on them. Value concentrates sharply before 1980 and in modern rookies and inserts. Condition decides almost everything.
What decides the value
- ·Year and set — pre-1980 is where most real value sits
- ·Rookie cards of significant players, which carry a large premium over their later cards
- ·Corners, edges, centring and surface: the four things graders score
- ·Whether it is a base card or a short-printed insert, parallel or autograph
- ·Sealed and unopened original packaging
Are 1980s and 90s cards worth anything?+
Cards from roughly 1987–1994 — the 'junk wax era' — were printed in enormous quantities and are worth very little regardless of who is on them. Value concentrates sharply before 1980 and in modern rookies and inserts. Condition decides almost everything.
What should I not do with 1987–1994 cards?+
Do not laminate, tape, trim or write on cards. Ever. Any of these makes a card unsellable at grade. Trimming in particular is treated as fraud by the grading services.
How do I find out what mine are worth?+
Photograph them. Five photographs are free; a full report is $39. We never buy or sell, so there is no reason for us to undervalue anything.