How do you know if a collectible card is valuable? It can be tough for anyone who’s just getting into the hobby, especially if you don’t know where to look to get an idea of prices. After all, if you list it up for a low price, it’ll be snapped up and resold straight away. If you price the card too high, there’s likely to be no interest unless it’s extremely rare.
The smallest details can make for massive differences in values, so we’ll take you through everything you need to know to find out just how much your cards are worth.
How do you know what a valuable card is worth?
How do you know what a valuable card is worth? More importantly, how do you know if it’s worth anything in the first place? First, it’s best to identify the card you’re looking at. Which year was it released in, and who is the subject? This is more simple for famous sets and players, and most modern cards.
Check for any logos on the front or the reverse, or use an app like Google Lens, which allows you to search what you see. Once you’ve identified the subject and the set, it’ll be easier to find out just how much (or little) the card is worth. (The same goes for stickers, or any other collectible.)
You’ll need to consider the overall condition. If the card isn’t slabbed, it might be best to send it off to a professional grading service to increase the value. It might seem obvious, but collectors will pay a significant premium if the card is pristine.
Methods to check the value of cards:
Here are some of the easiest methods to check the value of your rarest cards.
eBay
Quick, and easy, you can log in to eBay to see if there are any recent sales for the card you own. This will give you a better idea of the potential value, as well as the overall interest. To do so, you may have to switch from a local search to a worldwide search. This ensures that you’ll see all eBay card sales, rather than the ones that were sold in your region.
Here’s how to search for cards values via eBay:
- Open eBay, and click the search bar.
- Enter the year of release, the brand, and the player or subject.
- For example, “2002 Neo Destiny Shining Charizard” will bring up the Pokemon card.
- Click Sold, on the dropdown bar on the left.
- You’ll now see recent sales for the card you’re looking for.
- You can add more criteria, such as the card number, a grade, or the buying format. Auctions are best for checking popular cards.
If your card is ungraded, stick to other raw versions unless you’re sure that it’s in pristine condition. For example, a 1986 Fleer Michael Jordan RC is worth far more if it’s graded by a company like PSA, BGS, or SGC.
eBay is used worldwide, and it’s hard to beat due to the sheer number of sellers and buyers found on the platform.
130 Point
130 Point is a great resource to learn more about various sports cards. You’ll be able to search sales data for accurate pricing. They say:
“The idea for this website originated when I first got hold of a couple of redemptions and wanted to know if they had already been fulfilled or not. I did a web search looking for a database or something only to find that there wasn’t one and the idea of searching through every Panini redemption update did not appeal to me. So coupling that idea with an interest in learning web design I set about developing a database for the redemptions that could easily be searched with a suitable web based front end to access the database.
“Once I finally managed to get that to work, a friend pointed out that I might need more content to make the site relevant to collectors. This is when I decided to add the Checklists and Set Info pages.”
Here’s how to search recent sales with 130 Point:
- Open the website. (https://130point.com/cards/)
- Type the card info into the search bar.
- You can choose between Sold Items and Items for Sale. You can also sort them by Highest Price, or the Most Recent Sales.
- Hit the orange Submit button.
- You’ll now see relevant recent sales for the card selected.
It uses eBay, the PWCC Marketplace, MySlabs, and Pristine Auction to source data.
The Internet
If all else fails, ask the internet for help.
Enter the card information into Google, and see if anything pops up. For example, many older cards have sold through auction houses, often for large sums. (Some collectors don’t trust eBay, and would prefer to stick with a more reputable online seller.)
In any case, it shouldn’t be hard to find out more about what a card is worth, at the very least. You can also reach out in forums, to see if anyone is able to give an idea of rough values.
What is my card worth: FAQs
Here are some of the more frequently asked questions surrounding finding out how much a card is worth.
What if I can’t find my card online?
It’s not unheard of to own a card that isn’t found anywhere online. If that’s the case, try to find other cards from the set, or anything similar. As we’ve mentioned above, you can try posting to groups, or you can list it up for a high price, as long as you’re open to offers. (At least you’ll get an idea of what other people think it’s worth.)
My card parallel isn’t listed?
Let’s say you’ve packed a /10 parallel. This means that the card is numbered to 10 copies. If you can find a /20 sale, it’ll give you a better idea of what it’s valued at. (Obviously, a /10 parallel will be worth more than a /20 version if they’re in the same condition.)
The same is true for a /5 version of the same card. If it’s a one-of-one, consider how much other parallels have sold for. You should be able to list it up for a lot more, given the unique nature of the collectible.
I’ve just packed a card from a new set. What can I do to check prices?
The easiest option is to wait, and see if anyone else lists a card up on a site like eBay. However, some card prices drop quickly, while others rise rapidly. Once again, it’s down to you to price a one-of-one, or a card that can’t be found on sites like eBay or PWCC.
How can I sell my collectible cards?
Sites like eBay, Beckett, PWCC, COMC, StockX, Blowout Forums, Reddit, Facebook, etc. Remember, graded copies sell for a premium as they guarantee the overall condition of the card, as well as being the real deal.
Is it worth it to sell collectible cards?
You can make major money selling cards to a range of collectors found worldwide. We think it’s worth it, but only for the best options. Let’s face it. Nobody wants obscure base cards that were printed in their millions. However, it’s easier to be tempted by a rare numbered parallel, or a signed RPA.
How do you know what a valuable card is worth: Summary
There are lots of places to check if you’re unsure of how much your card is worth. For most collectibles, there’s a good chance that it’s been bought and sold online repeatedly in the past.
The likes of eBay and 130 Point are great for getting accurate sales data, while you can also look to the community to get a better idea of potential values.