How To Sell Your Trading Cards
Do you have old trading cards stored in the attic of your home? Would you like to sell your sports cards but have no idea where to begin? If so, now is a great time to learn how to sell those cards and earn some extra cash. Depending on the type of sports cards you have, the era they’re from, who they feature, and their overall condition, you might be surprised to learn how much they are worth.
Selling your trading cards is not as difficult as you might think, especially with the help of online auction sites and websites like eBay, Craigslist, and Facebook. Keep reading to learn how to sell your trading cards.
What Is the Value of Your Trading Cards?
Before selling your trading cards, it’s helpful to learn all you can about them. Important information, such as the date of the cards in your collection and if they feature any famous baseball or basketball players, will affect their overall value. It will also influence how much you can sell the cards for. Ask yourself the following questions before listing your sports cards for sale.
What Trading Cards Are in Your Collection?
When researching the professional sports cards in your collection, note the statistics for each one. The most important information is the manufacturer and the copyright date. Many cards will already contain this information, but there are ways to discover these facts for yourself if they don’t.
If the copyright date is not on the card, look at the information included on the back of the trading card. The sports card was most likely manufactured during the year following the last year noted on the card. For instance, if the last year mentioned on the card is 1973, then it’s probably from 1974.
You can also use Google to search for information regarding any of your trading cards. Enter the player’s name and card number, along with some of the text on the card, in the search bar. Searching this same information under Google images might also help you discover more data about the particular card in question.
What Time Period Are Your Trading Cards from?
As with any collectible item, the period or era the trading card is from can make it more or less valuable. Sports cards dated before World War II, or 1941, are considered prewar. Those dated after World War II, or starting in late 1945, and 1980 are considered vintage. Trading cards manufactured after 1980 are modern. Prewar and vintage trading cards have much higher values than their modern counterparts if they are in good condition.
Are There Any Famous Players in Your Collection?
Not all trading cards are created equal, especially when it comes to the athlete they feature. Any famous or popular athletes displayed on a trading card will automatically make it highly valuable. Be sure to look through your collection and set aside trading cards that feature renowned sports players. If you’re not sure if a player was famous during a particular period, do an internet search for a list of the most valuable athletes of that time. Cross-reference your trading cards with that list. You might be surprised at what you find.
What Are the Condition of Your Cards?
Next, you need to determine the condition of your cards. Any blemishes or imperfections will influence their overall condition and value. Examples of imperfections include worn corners, creases, scuffs, and writing, unless the featured player autographed the card.
It’s also important to note that vintage or prewar cards that are new out of their pack are not necessarily worth their highest value. Many vintage cards were created with defects due to the printing process of that period. These flaws get factored into the overall value of your trading cards.
Once you’ve discovered which sports cards are the most valuable, we highly recommend you place them in a plastic sleeve or plastic sheets in binders or albums. This will help prevent damage or defects.
Where Can I Sell My Trading Cards?
Several websites allow you to sell your sports cards. A few of the most common places are eBay, Craigslist, and Facebook.
How To Sell on eBay
eBay is a popular online auction site for selling collectibles and memorabilia. It is often one of the first places people go to buy or sell uncommon valuables. When trying to decide if you should list your trading cards on eBay, check out the going rate for sports cards similar to yours. Typically, most professional trading cards sell for between $5 and $11 on eBay. Note that eBay does take a percent commission on all sales. If you choose this route, simply create a free account and fill in the required information for your listing.
How To Sell on Craigslist
Craigslist is another popular online locale for selling all kinds of items, including trading cards. It is a classified advertisement website with several categories for selling or buying items. Using Craigslist is free and easy. You can create a posting and choose the collectible category. Next, fill out all the information, and provide clear, quality images.
How To Sell on Facebook
Facebook groups are another common method for selling all types of goods and services. You can even find formal groups dedicated to buying, selling, or trading sports cards. You can advertise your trading cards within a local group or join a national or global sports card group. The easiest way to find a group is to search for terms such as “sell sports cards” and “sell trading cards.”
Americash Coin & Jewelry Buyers Inc. buys trading cards and many other types of sports memorabilia, such as baseball cards, basketball cards, sporting equipment with autographs, championship trophies and rings, sportsbooks, magazines, and more. We are more than happy to review your collection and get you the best price possible for your valuable trading cards so you don’t have to struggle with trying to sell online. Contact us today, or stop by our Westmont, Illinois, showroom to discuss your memorabilia in person.
Image via Flickr by The Library of Congress
Tags: Baseball Cards, Trading Cards
