Sports cards are one of the new hot commodities, and some people simply love to collect them, while others want to grab them up to make a profit. However, unlike the general state of the economy, the factors influencing the value of your sports cards over time are somewhat predictable. A few specific variables can make sports cards appreciate in value and similarly depreciate. If you’re a collector looking to make some money, it’s important that you know what these variables are so you can figure out the best times to buy and the best times to sell.

Supply and Demand

Supply and demand are one of the main variables that will influence the price of any good, including sports cards. The rarity of a card will make its value skyrocket, while common cards are precisely that; common. There are plenty of Michael Jordan cards that don’t have much monetary value, but other Jordan cards are incredibly rare, like his 1997-1998 Upper Deck All-Star Game Used Jersey Card.

This card is part of the Upper Deck collection, and it comes with a piece of Jordan’s jersey from the 1997 NBA All-Star Game. The rarity and history of this card have given it such prestige that the last time it got sold, the buyer spent $2.7 million for it. The rarer a card is, the more valuable it will become. The value would quickly plummet if someone suddenly unearthed a box with thousands of cards like this.

A Player’s Career

When most people trade sports cards as collectors, they’re not often trading cards of players currently in the game. Instead, they’re figures from the game’s past, people that have cemented their legacy already. Meanwhile, other players like LeBron James, Steph Curry, and Giannis Antetokounmpo are only continuing to bolster their careers, making them more valuable players. If Steph Curry continued to play and never won a championship again, his card would still be valuable. If he took the Warriors on a threepeat like Jordan did for the Bulls, his more valuable cards would only go up from there.

A Player’s Life

In addition to their career, other life factors could significantly impact a card’s value. For example, after O.J. Simpson’s arrest and acquittal, he was still tainted in the public eye, and his cards never appreciated in the same way as other notable figures like him. Jose Altuve, a baseball player for the Houston Astros, was a top player, and his cards were valuable. However, after the Astros came under scrutiny for cheating in 2017 by stealing signs of their opposing team, demand declined significantly, and Altuve’s cards have not been the same. Conversely, if a player became a major humanitarian and negotiated world peace, their card would surely increase in value.

Figuring out what makes sports cards appreciate in value is an important step in making money by selling these cards. Still, even if you just like to collect them, you may want to know what variables can make a card you’re looking at skyrocket in price or sink lower than ever before.

If you’re in the market for some specific cards and think the time is right, consider giving one of our card breaks a chance. Here at JRI Cards, we’ll help you get the cards you want and get them to you quickly and safely!