Factors Influencing Value

By John Buonaguidi & George Keniston

Condition: As is the case with most collectables, condition is the most important factor related to the value of an item. This is especially true in the case of cards. There are grading services that grade cards for a fee, and this is done by dealers and collectors to enhance their value.

Currently, high-grade cards are commanding premium prices over so-called "book value" versus low-grade cards which are being priced well below book prices. Conditions in cards range from "mint," which is just like new, to "poor," which is usually a very rough condition copy. The overall grading system for cards is as follows:

Mint - Just like new.
Excellent - Very strong copy, no creases, minimal edge wear.
Very good - Slightly rounded corners, minor creases, if any.
Good - Rounded corners, some creasing, but a decent copy.
Fair - Very rounded corners, serious creasing.
Poor - A rough card. Very thrashed.

Provenance: It is critical that items such as game-used equipment, stadium artefacts, and items such as these include appropriate proof of their actual history. This is absolutely vital to the worth of an item, especially for resell of the item later. Buying from reputable dealers and researching the background of an item can avoid unwelcome surprises.

Restoration: Generally it is better to find items in their original state. If an item has been restored, it greatly affects its value. In some cases, however, restoration is a better alternative. If a sports poster, for example, is in very poor condition, a professional restorer could greatly improve the piece, especially if you intend to display it.

Completeness: An incomplete piece will be worth much less than a complete item. This is true with most any item. Equipment, for example, will frequently have missing pieces and/or replaced parts. Be careful when seeking these items and examine them closely.

The preceding material was written by John Buonaguidi and George Keniston. These are the opinions of the author, not the opinions of eBay, and therefore eBay does not validate the accuracy of or endorse these opinions.