There are a lot of factors that determine the value of a sports card, from centering to the corners to the name of the player! With so much to keep track of, it can be tough to remember what is most important—that’s why we’re here! Read on to learn what to look for when buying vintage hockey cards.

Star Players

No one wants to collect cards of players who didn’t amount to anything. Well, maybe someone does, but you probably won’t get much money for those guys! Look for the hockey players with the most name recognition—those are the cards that will be the toughest to find but will sell for the most money.

Print Year

As a general rule, older cards are better. Especially since we’re talking specifically about vintage cards, you’ll want to find hockey cards prior to 1980 to fall into that “vintage” category. In addition, it’s good to look for star players’ rookie cards. Rookie cards kept in good condition sell for a lot because not everyone had the foresight to protect cards of players who hadn’t made a name for themselves yet.

Condition

Finally, and perhaps most importantly, card condition is essential. You don’t need to worry as much about that when you get cards from hockey card breaks, but it’s something to think about when you find a rare card at a garage sale. Check the corners to see if they’re still sharp, as well as the centering of the card. If the corners are in good condition and the borders around the card are all even, you’re in good shape!

Now that you know what to look for when buying vintage hockey cards, get out there with your magnifying glass and find cards that can make you a fortune…or just find the cards with your favorite players—both are viable ways to enjoy this hobby!