PSA Magazine: 2023 January #013

Editor's Note

I usually use the Editor’s Note as a place to comment on current happenings with PSA or the hobby in general. It is a good place for those types of subjects and I enjoy the opportunity to share information with our readers.

This installment will be a bit different though, because our January issue of PSA Magazine contains an article about the person responsible for designing many of my favorite trading cards. Wonder Years: Co-Creating the Best Hits of the ‘90s features an interview with Jean Arena, who along with her late husband, Earl, designed a long list of iconic sets while working for Fleer in the 1990s.

I don’t want to sound like a gushing fan boy here, but their work has played a significant role in my own hobby life. I began collecting cards as a kid and focused on contemporary baseball cards. I soon switched to basketball cards, after seeing the innovative and futuristic designs featured largely by Fleer SkyBox. These are the cards I now enjoy the most and the majority of what I am actively acquiring to this day, late 1990s to early 2000s basketball inserts and parallels. SkyBox Rubies, Flair Legacy Collection, Autographics, E-X Credentials, and the Jambalaya sets that were issued in multiple product lines are all now among the most attractive and desirable basketball inserts of the era.

Of all the cards that the Arenas designed over the years, the 1997 Precious Metal Gems (PMG) are my favorite. This 123-card set was a parallel inserted into packs of 1997 SkyBox Metal Universe basketball cards. There

were 100 of each card produced; the first 10 have a green background resembling an emerald (hence the “precious metal gems” moniker) and the remaining 90 are red resembling a ruby. I remember first setting eyes on them when I pulled a green Kerry Kittles out of a pack way back when at my local card shop, The Dugout. It was many years after that before I began collecting this set in earnest, but I can say in all honesty that they have been a major focus of mine for several years.

Over the last decade that I have been building my Precious Metal Gems collection, I’ve been fortunate to meet collectors and acquire cards from all over the world and it’s been fascinating to see how these cards have dispersed over the years. I enjoy the fact that people from different countries and backgrounds can all come together because of their collective pursuit of trading cards.

I hope you enjoy the article on Jean Arena. From my perspective, her contributions to the hobby cannot be understated. I am proud that PSA Magazine is able to share her story with our readers.

Best,

Nader “Naz” Nubani was born in Chicago and remains a lifelong Chicago Bulls fan with the cards — and scars — to prove it.

And now, after a long treasure hunt, he owns a complete set of the historic 1997 SkyBox Metal Universe Red Precious Metal Gems (PMG), one of just a few known finished sets in the collecting universe.

His was a pursuit borne out of passion, the lasting nostalgia that comes along with Bulls fandom as a teenager in the 1990s, when the Michael Jordan-, Scottie Pippen-, Toni Kukoc- and Dennis Rodman-led Bulls won six championships in eight years, just as the sports card industry was producing some of the most exciting basketball cards in history.

Chief among them, Nubani believes, is the original numbered PMG set, which debuted a year after the 1996 Precious Metals set.

“What hits me in the heart, besides the rarity, are the graphics and the design,” he said.

“If you compare them to current cards, you don’t see the poses they used back then, the art. It’s a work of art to me. It’s Picasso. You can’t duplicate it. It was so ahead of its time. This set is the hallmark of the 1990s. It’s the king. There is no other set that compares. This redefined what 1990s basketball cards were.”

And it still does, nearly three decades later.

Nubani has learned several lasting lessons from his collecting journey; most importantly, that it can pay off to be unselfish. He has been taught and retaught that several times, through connecting the dots for his fellow collectors.

“I take pleasure in helping people secure these cards,” he said. “If I’m able to help someone who is going to put it in a set and never sell that card, that card goes away. You get these newbies, these other guys. Can you just sell me one of those? I don’t want to sell them.”

It’s not always about the money for Nubani. It’s rarely about the money, in fact.

“Monetary value is not the most important thing for some people,” he said. “These cards are sentimental. You can convince someone more with a card they’re interested in than money. That’s what I’ve learned.”

Nubani was taught the value of a dollar early in life, when he and his brother Sam were little and their father, Fouad Nubani, opened a candy wholesaling company in 1985. The elder Nubani would fill up the van with candy, pile his kids in the back and go store-to-store in innercity Chicago and its surrounding suburbs.

He vividly recalls his eighth-grade graduation party, or, at least, what would’ve been his eighth-grade graduation party. While all his friends went to Six Flags Great America, he was in the back of a candy truck at 7:00 a.m.

But there were some perks from the early mornings. Fouad Nubani would also take his kids to trade shows, where card distributors would have extra cases laying around that weren’t worth bringing back home or shipping.

He eventually built an impressive collection, one that was worth quite a bit by the early 2010s. At some point, and he can’t quite pinpoint when, the cards disappeared. They were either stolen, he fears, or simply lost in a move. Either way, they were gone. Nubani says his old collection was worth “nothing crazy, maybe a few hundred grand, but it was my childhood and it was priceless to me. It was devastating. And cards weren’t fun anymore.”

It was like a piece of his childhood was lost forever. Cards were simply haunting reminders of bygone times.

His older brother, Sam, reeled him back in. Known as “the Candyman” among Instagram fans who follow his prodigious box breaks, Sam pulled Naz back in one pull at a time.

“He’d go rip packs every couple of months and say come with me, and I’d just say, ‘I’m not going, I don’t want to be near this stuff,’” Naz said. “He’s popping all these cards and he’s saying it’s never too late, and it finally kicked in. It is never too late.”

Nubani caught the bug again, and, he said, “One thing led to another, and it became a manifestation. You love it, and you’re trying to conquer every feat and find what’s impossible to find. Chasing the cards is half the fun. It became such an adventure for me.”

He found an old magazine listing Jordan’s top 20 cards — 1998 Hoops High Voltage, 1998 SkyBox Premium Intimidation Nation — and he started piling up the ones he lusted over as a teenager in the mid-’90s. One at a time, then doubles, then triples.

He was never much of a social media guy, but he realized that people were not just buying and trading on platforms like Instagram, but they were growing real friendships based around collective — and collectible — goals. After starting an Instagram account to highlight his cards, he began connecting with collectors from all over the globe: India, China, the Philippines, Singapore, all over Europe. He realized and came to appreciate the fact that there are Bulls fans across the universe, Metal or otherwise, and some as passionate as he was.

And he started to realize that for other collectors, much like himself, these iconic cards were not going to pop up much in the future. Once they found forever homes, they were going to stay there. That in itself created more value in the cards, and Nubani now had multiples of some of the great Jordan cards of the ‘90s. In other words, trade bait.

It was about time to start fishing in a whole new pond.

For collectors of the 1997 SkyBox Metal Universe Precious Metal Gems Red set, much of the fun is in reconnecting with some of the forgotten stars of the 1990s. For every Kobe and MJ and Iverson, there’s a Tim Hardaway or a Mitch Richmond or a Chris Mullin, and there’s as much TLC given to Run TMC as there is to some of the more well-known Hall of Famers in the set.

“Today, an Antoine Walker is selling and so is a Mookie Blaylock,” he said. “But Penny Hardaway? Toni Kukoc? Those guys don’t come up. Chris Mullin, Glenn Robinson. Some of those collectors are just not willing to let go. It’s like pulling teeth to find out who has what. Half of these guys are just not going to sell.”

The hardest ones to get, he said, are Hardaway and Richmond. Nubani pointed out that he’s not just battling the rare set collector but individual player collectors who span the planet.

He recalls his biggest acquisition, other than the Jordan, and it happened right in his backyard. Two years

ago, at the Chicago Sports Spectacular, he snagged a Hardaway PSA 6, an Iverson PSA 6 and a Dennis Rodman PSA 6 in one deal. He forked over a pretty penny for the pretty Penny, but it was worth it.

“Sometimes you have to overpay,” he said. “We’ve all been there before. I got the best deal for $50 a card. Those stories are great. But I’ve been okay with overpaying, too.”

A few years ago, he was among just a few collectors known to be chasing the ultra-rare set. Now he has his whole set slabbed in PSA holders of various grades. He actually remembers bidding on the Jordan Green PMG from the set but capping out around $600,000, while the card eventually sold for $900,000. He has several green PMGs from the set but can’t imagine chasing the full set, especially with the value of some of the best cards in the set.

“I try to be realistic,” he said. “I have to have an end goal. I can’t be five or six short and live with it the rest of my life.”

That’s led Nubani to be less-than-picky about the condition of some of his pick-ups.

One of the things that is notable about Nubani is his excitement level for slabs of any grade. Recently another collector messaged him about a Vin Baker 1997 SkyBox Metal Championship Preview PMG that had a big chip in the corner. Nubani was fired up. He’ll take a PSA 1, he said.

“That’s the life of the card,” he said. “That’s what the card went through to where it ended up. It makes it more beautiful for me. Would I love the highestgraded one? Of course, I would. But I’m content with filling the set and being able to play with it. Beggars can’t be choosers.”

“The main thing I am above all else is a Jordan collector,” he said. “Born on the northwest side of Chicago, I was 13 when he won his first championship. Your teenage years are your best — I was jumping and doing cartwheels when he did that layup.”

He means the switch layup from the famous 1991 NBA Finals, between the Bulls and Los Angeles Lakers. Jordan got the ball just outside the free-throw line,

drove into the lane, jumped with the ball in his right hand but switched it to his left midair, converting the basket.

He got a little too excited.

“I jumped up, I got so excited, right on a glass table and broke the glass,” he said. “My dad started chasing me around the house. I had to go to the hospital. I still have the scars.”

More than three decades later, Nubani is just as passionate about reconnecting with the emotions from his youth.

“My passion and love for these ‘90s cards, it’s not something that was created overnight,” he said. “It’s something I have loved my whole life. My advice is just to collect what you love. That’s advice I’ve given myself.”

Nubani has built one of the greatest ‘90s basketball card collections the hobby has ever seen and he’s posted it for all to enjoy on the PSA Set Registry. Check out his mind-blowing 1997 SkyBox Metal Universe Precious Metal Gems Red complete set, as well as Jordan gems, killer Kobes, and the best of the rest of 1990s basketball.

Fast Five

WHAT IS YOUR TITLE AND WHAT EXACTLY DO YOU DO AT COLLECTORS?

I'm a Senior Product Manager. My main focus is creating tools and protocols for detecting counterfeit cards.

WHAT DO YOU ENJOY MOST ABOUT WORKING AT COLLECTORS?

I'm so fortunate to be surrounded by people with a shared passion for the hobby. I feel like I'm always learning something new and broadening my horizons as a collector.

WHAT'S YOUR BACKGROUND AS A COLLECTOR?

I've been into cards for as long as I can remember. My dad grew up collecting and passed the hobby down to me. I still remember the day he took me to the local hobby shop for the first time and told me I could pick

out any card I wanted. For some reason I passed over all the Mark McGwire rookies and landed on a 1933 Goudey Lafayette Thompson. I had a weird taste then and I have a weird taste now.

WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE ITEM IN YOUR ENTIRE PERSONAL COLLECTION?

My dad's 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle #311 that he bought in 1970. I drove it down to PSA about 15 years ago and sat in the waiting room while it was graded. If you told me I'd be working here someday I wouldn't have believed you.

WHAT WOULD BE THE "GRAIL" COLLECTIBLE THAT YOU HOPE TO OWN ONE DAY?

The 1999 Metal Universe Ken Griffey Gem Master 1/1. As far as I know, it's never surfaced. I like to think that it's in one of the many sealed boxes I have sitting inside my credenza.

Now entering the small town of Donruss, where football rules and Sunday mornings still carry the haze of Friday night lights. Radios crackle as the coach is thrown under the bus, players eat free at the local burger joint, and at any given moment some jock shouts “we’re gonna win State!”

Around here, one type of perennial player is collected and recruited above the rest: the Rated Rookie. Debuting on the baseball diamond in 1984 and making its first football appearance in 2000, the Rated Rookie logo is the hobby stamp of potential stardom. It designates the class of the draft class; it’s the sign of the signing bonus. Truthfully though, collectors have likely binged enough small-town sports dramas to know that these guys had cities on their backs long before they were climbing draft boards and commanding break-room bounties.

To really throw it back to the turf of hometown heroes, flip through the Rated Rookie reels of 2018 Donruss and Donruss Optic Football. It’s like Panini crashed team picture day somewhere in West Texas; nothing but wispy blue skies, stadium lights, and unbridled hopes for the future.

Athletes — especially football players — are generally captured playing the game, but here they play to the camera. It’s an on-again, off-again Rated Rookie trademark that really composed itself as Donruss debuted its chromium counterpart Optic in 2016, and while the ball is a prop across various product years and sports, the set design of ‘18 football just feels miles away from the combine.

Come for the usual on-card autos and stick around for the poise; these players are caught in a daydream. Saquon Barkley with a hopeful riff on the Heisman. Nick Chubb with a valiant TD-run freeze-frame. DJ Moore cosplaying a catch from a competent quarterback. Right on cue, here’s Lamar Jackson checking downfield, and a towering Josh Allen envisioning more than a state championship run.

Forget the real-world on-field drama and take these cards behind the scenes of a favorite high school movie or series. Scan the setlist and imagine the usual cameos: the hotshot running back counting future endorsements on two hands; the starting QB with letters of intent who goes down in the first game; the unknown backup suddenly thrust into the spotlight; the linebacker who leads the locker room rallying cry; or the player dying to leave this whole town in the rearview and really be something.

Did we know these guys? Do we remember these titans?

Some dreams pan out, others burn out, and revisiting a product always comes with baggage. That said, like cracking open an old yearbook, there’s already a “where are they now” quality to the QB-heavy roster of 2018’s Rated Rookies. Even in the age of ultra-modern, legends never die.

Every so often, a sports card collector reaches out to Jean Arena, and she is transported to another time.

A time of evolving tastes and trends with technology that would finally allow those two to collide. A time when hip-hop and skateboarding and MTV and Nickelodeon all came of age, when colors burst like never before, and when sports stars transcended cardboard and became our superheroes.

A time when Arena’s designs defined a generation for kids and card collectors alike.

Now, nearly three decades later, one-half of the design team that gave us Precious Metal Gems — and so many classic insert sets of the 1990s — recalls to PSA Magazine some of the secrets of the sets that have remained some of the most sought-after in the hobby.

in 1990, it was producing just six total card sets, as well as numerous candy brands.

Cards from most manufacturers couldn’t have looked blander.

Arena’s task was to design packaging for candy products: Razzles, Double Bubble gum and more. But when the company leadership saw her Razzles box design, they were blown away. They asked her to design a set of cards, a super-premium brand that would be introduced at the then-unheard-of price of $5 per pack.

“When I designed the Razzles package, I’d see it in the trash can, but you never saw a card in a trash can,” she said. “What else can you design that people love so much and are going to hold onto forever? It was perfect for me.”

“When we first did Metal, not everybody loved it, especially traditional collectors,” Arena said. “We were putting them in backgrounds where a bee was chasing them. People thought it was a space thing. But just the Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant examples were spacethemed, and those were the ones people looked at.”

She’s talking about the vaunted 1997 SkyBox Metal Universe set, but when Arena joined the Fleer company

She worked on some 1991 and 1992 products, but, she says, the first set she really remembers being “engrossed in” was the original Flair product, 1993 Fleer Flair Baseball. You remember, don’t you? A package inside a box? Wave of the Future? That was her. It was a smash. Rivaling Upper Deck’s SP line, Fleer Flair brought sophistication and elegance to a hobby that was lacking it.

Along with her husband and business partner, Earl Arena,

a freelance graphic designer who Fleer had brought on at her suggestion, Jean was given the latitude to experiment. And that they did.

They were able to stay current, one, maybe two steps ahead of pop culture even. Computer technology had progressed to the point that designers were able to manipulate type like never before with new filters and new fonts. Even more importantly, new card stocks, new foils and new machinery could cater to all of the Arena’s whims.

“It was a great time to be a designer,” she said.

They were more than just given a first-hand look.

They were moved.

These days, Jean Arena loves talking about those days.

She loves talking about this time in her life, and especially about Earl, just a few months after he succumbed to cancer. They’d previously worked together designing marketing materials for Atlantic City casinos, then started dating. They married and formed a design company, until Jean was offered the chance to lead Fleer’s design team and Earl was offered a gig designing magazines. Not too long after Jean joined

And not just in the card industry.

Magazines, newspapers and other publications; packaging and products; television and movies and music — the world of design had been opened up across the spectrum. People were taking each other’s ideas and running with them. Innovative ideas begat innovative designs.

Inspiration came from all over, but eventually, it came closer to home. In 1992, Marvel purchased Fleer for more than $500 million, and the Arenas got a first-hand look at some of the great superhero card sets in history.

the Fleer team asked her if she knew any other good designers, and she recommended Earl as an outside contractor. Together they guided the production of the greatest sets of the ‘90s.

Jean says Earl so loved his work. They both did.

“We loved design,” she said, “we lived design.”

They so loved design together, and the ideas that they created out of thin air and thick cardboard. They’d scour design books and attend design conferences together.

A fun Friday night would be spent at Borders, finding new ideas. Earl was particularly inspired by comics, and the concept of taking the athletes and making them the hero.

He wanted to put them on backgrounds that made them appear larger than life. Taking them off the field of play, he reasoned, made you look at them a different way.

“I still think the player is the hero,” Jean said.

Never was their vision realized better than with the 1997 SkyBox Metal Universe set. It is simply iconic. Jean saw a CD cover made of metal and was inspired to take it to cardboard.

Originally, the Metal sets were not the smash hits they are today. It was a completely foreign concept then. The 1995 basketball and hockey Metal sets did well, but they are afterthoughts now. The 1996 set, which features rookie cards of Kobe and Allen Iverson, among others, performed better, but still hasn’t held up like the ensuing years.

“As a collector, they don’t know what they want until they see it,” Arena said. “‘I don’t want gold foil,’ but then as soon as you give them gold foil, they want it. Holofoil, they’re gonna want that. It's good to know what they like, but I don’t want to think that’s what we're gonna give them. I want to give them what they want tomorrow, not today.”

Arena shares a perfect anecdote to illustrate her story.

“Someone asked Henry Ford about what the customer wanted once,” she said. “‘If I'd asked them, they would have said they want a faster horse,’ he said. And so he gave them the Model T.”

That’s how it was with the Metal sets, particularly the iconic PMGs, which featured bright red, bold fronts and futuristic backs.

“I wanted you to have something, as soon as you opened it, that was special,” Arena said of the Precious Metal Gems sets. “But I love the base metal cards, even more than the PMGs. All the time that was put into the illustrations that you don't see in the PMGs.”

Forged Metal logo from the personal archives of Jean Arena.

An uncut sheet of the full 15-card That’s Jam insert set was sold at auction in September 2022 throug Goldin for $1,560. The powerhouse checklist includes Shaquille O'Neal, Grant Hill, Kevin Garnett, Kobe Bryant, Tim Duncan, Scottie Pippen, and Allen Iverson. Additional featured basketball stars include Shareef Abdur-Rahim, Anfernee Hardaway, Ron Mercer, Antawn Jamison, Keith Van Horn, Antoine Walker, Stephon Marbury and Damon Stoudamire.

Over the years, as some of their favorite designs grew in popularity and value — particularly the ’97 PMG sets, both red and green — Earl was tickled. The resurgence of some of the other great inserts of the ‘90s, including Net Assets, Essential Credentials, Flair Legacy and That’s Jam, only legitimizes their efforts, which weren’t always met with glee.

But they always tried to reimagine what cards could look like and feel like, and most importantly, how they could make people feel.

“When I got the idea of That’s Jam, they weren’t thinking of jam like I was thinking of jam,” she said. “I was thinking of jam. But it’s fun! My first boss said, 'Take the unfamiliar and make it familiar.'”

The Arenas were not card collectors, but they did understand the psychology of them.

“We were collectors in general,” she said. “We do understand that mentality. We went to auctions and flea markets; Earl collected toys from his childhood, and my father is a carpenter, and I collect a lot of old tools. And mixing bowls. I probably have 100.”

She must admit, though. She’s blown away by the prices. Cards hitting seven figures? She really can’t fathom it.

“It's mind-boggling to me,” she said. “I also paint, and I'd love to be in fine art. I look at some artists — they’re really famous, and their stuff isn’t going for what our designs are. I do understand it. Why would someone buy a painting for millions? It’s the same thing. It's just something you look at. But you have a connection not just to the way it looks, but to a player or a team. And a connection to how it makes you feel.

“I never thought of the permanence of the card, or the value,” she added. “I just wanted to put out a card that I loved, that I would like to get. If it turned out the way I envisioned it, I assumed everyone would like it. Luckily, they did.”

Nearly 25 years after the debut of Precious Metal Gems, Arena was in charge of a brand-new design: Upper Deck, which bought the rights to the Fleer catalog in 2005, hired Arena Design to spearhead the recently released 2021 Upper Deck SkyBox Metal Universe Champions set.

The 1980s Star basketball cards have a long and complicated history that to this point has kept them from receiving the kind of attention from collectors they would otherwise deserve. The cards were originally distributed as team sets and packaged in polybags that were offered for sale via mail order from catalogs and authorized dealers, rather than in boxes and packs like standard card issues. There have also been questions about the legitimacy of cards that surfaced after the manufacturer lost its license prior to the 1986-87 season, and started liquidating assets. Star eventually became involved in legal issues that further soured collectors on these cards.

As a result of growing confusion between firstrun and what would later be called Type II Star basketball cards, PSA made the decision to stop grading Star basketball cards in the early 1990s. It was a stance the company maintained for nearly 30 years. Recently, after exhaustive study and now with a thorough understanding of the issue, PSA began grading Star basketball again, starting with only the 1984 set. The intention is to grade the later sets as well once similar knowledge and comfort with the issues has been achieved.

Regardless of any controversy surrounding the brand, Star basketball cards were produced at a time when no other major NBA sets were issued. As a result they contain the first officially licensed cards of many of the game’s greatest players: Michael Jordan, Hakeem Olajuwon, Charles Barkley, John Stockton and many more have their first trading cards in Star sets. The incredible star power in these sets coupled with the challenge in determining authenticity presented a unique dilemma to collectors for the better part of 30 years.

Michael Cabrera is one collector who has a longheld fascination with Star basketball cards. A high school student when he first learned about them, Cabrera was captivated by the perceived rarity of the cards and the idea that another Michael Jordan rookie issue predated his beloved 1986 Fleer #57. But Cabrera’s dream of owning one of the Jordan #101 cards remained just that, a dream, for many years.

However, Cabrera eventually got his Jordan #101, and his dedication to the study of these

cards made him one of the hobby’s most knowledgeable collectors of Star releases. When PSA began an intensive study in preparation for beginning to grade Star cards after a nearly 30-year hiatus, Cabrera was asked to share his knowledge with the company. In fact, Cabrera’s Michael Jordan #101 was the first Star card officially graded by PSA when the company reintroduced Star grading in July.

Cabrera recently sat down to share the story of his hobby experience and fascination with Star basketball.

PSA - WHAT IS YOUR COLLECTING EXPERIENCE? HOW DID YOU GET INTO THE HOBBY?

MICHAEL CABRERA - I was in high school when the first Beckett Basketball magazine came out in 1990. I had Michael Jordan’s 1986 Fleer card at the time, and was very proud of it. But I read that magazine and was surprised to learn that Jordan had other cards that came out before the Fleer. That was the moment I became intrigued with the Michael Jordan Star basketball cards. They had almost a mystical quality about them and I never saw them for sale. This was just a unicorn card for me. I never saw one, but I always wanted one.

Around 2009, I had a co-worker named Larry who told me that he had a complete set of 1984 Star basketball cards. At first I didn’t believe him. I told him I had never even seen one, though I had been collecting basketball cards since about 1990. He was an older gentleman and told me how people had to buy these cards through mail-order advertisements in trade magazines. I had heard that before, so I realized he knew what he was talking about. He eventually brought the set in to work for me to see. It was in a dusty old binder with nine-pocket sheet pages. Sure enough, all three Michael Jordan cards were there, the 101, the 195 and the 288, as well as the rest of the set. I tried taking pictures of it just to say that I had finally seen the cards, but I had a Blackberry back then and of course the photos weren’t very good.

I moved around within the company, but later came back to work at that same location. I was talking with another co-worker one day and he suggested that I offer Larry $500 for the set. At the time the book value was roughly $2,800.

So kind of as a joke, I emailed him and offered him $500 for the set. Larry was usually pretty responsive via email, but that day he didn’t reply to me. I thought I had made him mad. But the following morning he replied and apologized for not getting back to me sooner. He said $500 was a bit low, but if I were to give him $1,000, he would sell me the set. I went straight to the bank! I was upfront with him when we met and I asked him if he really knew what the set was worth. He said that he did, but he also knew that I had been fascinated with the cards for a long time and it would be great if a passionate collector became the new owner. Also, he wanted to show his wife that he wasn’t wasting his time for 35 years by collecting cards! That is how I got my first Michael Jordan #101.

Unfortunately, at some point when Larry had shown off the set to different people, someone bent the Michael Jordan #101 card. The card had a hairline crease. I really wasn’t happy with the creased card, so a year later I bought a BGS 8.5. That is the one that I eventually submitted to PSA to cross over, and that is the first one that PSA graded in almost 30 years. It is also the one that Collectors CEO Nat Turner shared on social media when announcing that PSA was beginning to grade Star basketball again. The significance for me is that I remember being in high school when PSA first started as a company, and when they later announced that they would no longer grade Star cards. Then to come full circle and have my card be the first one they graded was significant to me.

PSA contacted me and asked if they could see my collection and share my knowledge about Star basketball cards. So I went to PSA and we spoke for about four hours. I told them everything I knew about the Star cards. It is funny because I am 46 years old and I feel a bit like I occasionally forget things, but the moment they got me talking about my passion, I turned into some kind of NASA scientist with all of the intricate details I recalled. I’m happy to know that the information I gave them contributed to PSA beginning to grade these cards again, and I’m now in the process of grading my entire 1984 Star set.

NOW HAVE YOUR INTRODUCTION TO STAR CARDS, BUT WHAT HAVE YOU DONE IN SUBSEQUENT YEARS?

MC - I was hooked after I bought that first 1984 set. I then started to collect every single Star basketball set from 1983 to 1986. My goal was to build an overall master set and have the key cards graded. In doing so I had to educate myself about the cards so that I could discern between the real cards and counterfeits. I got to know Steve Taft, who is pretty much the godfather of Star collecting. I first met him as a teenager because I would buy oddball basketball cards from him. So I have been a longtime customer of his and he has been very generous in sharing his knowledge of Star cards. There is another very knowledgeable collector named Jarret Kahn, and I have spent a lot of time picking his brain as well. Star cards became something that I studied in depth, and I used all of that knowledge in building my collection. As I learned more, I tried to help educate other collectors as well.

I started a Star Buy/Sell/Trade group on Facebook in November 2020, and we recently celebrated getting our 2,000th member. It’s a passionate group and we help each other learn and grow our collections. The main reason I started the group was to help educate people because there is so much misinformation that surrounds these cards that it has resulted in prejudice against the brand. That is why I was so pleased when PSA began to grade Star cards again because it reintroduced legitimacy to the cards.

PSA - WHAT DOES YOUR COLLECTION LOOK LIKE NOW? HOW EXTENSIVE IS YOUR COLLECTION?

MC - I was able to acquire every Star basketball card produced from 1983 to 1986. That includes the three major sets and all of the major subsets such as the All-Star Team, Rookie of the Year, Celtics championship set, and others. There are a total of 27 different Michael Jordan Star cards, which includes things like checklists and variations. Most people consider the total to be 25 cards, but for example there is a Slam Dunk set where card #1 shows Jordan as part of a group photo on the checklist, so I count minor appearances like that. On our Facebook group we have a thing called Club 27, and that is for anyone

PSA - IF PSA IS COMING TO YOU FOR INFORMATION ON THIS SET, YOU MUST BE A VERY KNOWLEDGEABLE COLLECTOR. WE

who has collected all 27 of the Jordan Star cards. It is kind of a fun goal for people to achieve, and I have all 27 cards. I have a few sealed Star sets, as they were issued as team sets in poly bags. Right before the pandemic I was going to set out to replicate my entire Star collection, but this time acquire only sealed sets instead of single cards. But then the pandemic happened and prices skyrocketed and I had to readdress my goals.

PSA - IN TERMS OF YOUR COLLECTION AS A WHOLE, WHAT PERCENTAGE DOES STAR BASKETBALL ACCOUNT FOR? ARE YOU STRICTLY A STAR COLLECTOR OR DO YOU COLLECT OTHER CARDS AS WELL?

MC - Before the pandemic happened I was trying to collect every major sports set from 1980 to 1989. I am a huge fan of the 1980s, so I wanted every major baseball, basketball, football and hockey set from that decade. I was roughly 70% complete in baseball and had completed basketball and was still working on the others. I am also very passionate about the 1986 Fleer

basketball set because it is such an instrumental set in the sport. Basketball is the core of my collection, but I still want to complete my overall goal in all four of those sports.

PSA - STAR BASKETBALL IS AN INTERESTING SUBJECT BECAUSE THE CARDS PLAYED SECOND FIDDLE TO 1986 FLEER FOR A LONG TIME, BUT THEY ARE NOW RAPIDLY GAINING IN POPULARITY AND IMPORTANCE. HOW LONG DO YOU THINK IT WILL TAKE FOR THE STAR PUSH TO SETTLE, AND THEN WHICH WILL ULTIMATELY BE MORE POPULAR, STAR OR 1986 FLEER?

MC - I feel like the adoption of Star is already well underway. I am a member of several other collecting groups on Facebook, and we are seeing a lot of the diehard Fleer collectors who originally wanted nothing to do with Star are now showing interest because PSA is grading them again. I think that over time as more acceptance takes place, Star is going to increase in popularity. I really can’t overstate the importance of PSA

grading these cards. If that would not have happened we would be in the same place we were pre-pandemic, which was a lot of collectors with prejudice against the brand and thinking that no one could differentiate originals from counterfeits. The idea before was that if PSA couldn’t do it, nobody could.

I’m really excited because collectors are now opening up to the idea of adding the Star Jordan #101 to their collections when before they wouldn’t even consider it. Many people still think the Star card isn’t as attractive as the 1986 Fleer, but there is no doubting the card’s importance. It was actually made during Michael Jordan’s rookie year. People can argue all they want about the means of distribution, but that is simply an invented notion about the definition of rookie cards. You cannot deny the cards were licensed by the NBA Players Association, licensed by the NBA, and they have two stamps on the back to prove that they were licensed. It will just take continued education for collectors to accept these cards. I don’t know that these cards will overtake 1986 Fleer in terms of being the go-to Michael Jordan rookie card, but I feel very good about where things are headed.

PSA - DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA ABOUT HOW MANY JORDAN STAR CARDS WERE PRODUCED AND HOW THAT COMPARES TO THE NUMBER OF 1986 FLEER?

MC - The estimated production of the Jordan #101 is between 3,000 and 6,000. The owner of the company claimed that only 4,000 were produced and that a certain number were destroyed due to quality control issues, but whatever the final number, it is a fraction of the number of 1986 Fleer cards that were produced. I think it is important to note that part of the ultimate adoption of Star cards by collectors will eventually be the PSA population reports and how they compare to 1986 Fleer. Those numbers will make astute collectors really open their eyes and take notice of Star cards. I also believe as PSA

begins to grade the Star cards from other years, that will only add to the popularity of the brand.

PSA - NOW THAT YOU HAVE YOUR PSAGRADED 1984 STAR AND 1986 FLEER MICHAEL JORDAN ROOKIE CARDS, WHICH IS YOUR PERSONAL FAVORITE?

MC - By far the 1984 Star! I’ll tell you a funny story. Before I had the 1984 Star card, I would go on YouTube and watch videos of this guy reviewing his BGS-graded Star Jordan because I wanted to learn as much as I could about the cards. I watched this video every day; I was obsessed with it. The guy who made that video actually joined the Facebook group and ended up becoming a good friend of mine. He is now one of my moderators in the group. I told him that 80% of the views on his video probably came from me.

People will argue that the ‘86 Fleer looks so much better because of the image with Jordan sticking his tongue out and dunking. There are no questions about that; it is an iconic image and the ’86 Fleer is a far more attractive card. But I love the ‘84 Star because it has the red border that color matches Jordan’s jersey and it looks fantastic with the PSA label. I also love that the back of the ‘84 Star card only has Jordan’s collegiate statistics, where the ‘86 Fleer has two lines of professional stats because it was created in his third pro season. We have this play on words in the Facebook group. We call it a Starrari, like a Ferrari, because the card is red and the PSA label is red. So when PSA recently began grading the Star cards again, we started calling them the Starrari. In fact, the Facebook group still does not know that the #101 that Nat Turner posted belongs to me. This article will be the first time that it is publicly announced.

The whole thing is just so funny to me because in my mind I am still that high school sophomore, sitting in art class and daydreaming about Star basketball. I could never have envisioned that my card would be the first one to be graded by PSA after a nearly three-decade break.

If you’re a trading card collector and have been on Instagram during the past two years, chances are you’ve come across an energetic collector and TCG aficionado who goes by the handle @dondiegotrading. Her actual name is Laura Don Diego and her passion for Pokémon cards, in particular, runs deep.

A native of New Jersey, her interest in trading cards started at an early age when she attended local card shows in and around New Jersey with her father and brother. She initially hated the trips but grew to love the journey.

“My dad and brother would drag me to sports card shows and I absolutely dreaded it,” she recalled. “However, those moments became the building blocks for learning the business and without them, I don’t think I would be where I am today.”

Where she is today is in the driver’s seat when it comes to making big deals about small pieces of cardboard, preferably ones featuring Pokémon characters like Charizard, Pikachu and her favorite, Persian. She currently has more than 32,000 followers on Instagram and her account is barely two years old. She’s become a major player in the TCG space by virtue of being omnipresent at shows, sharing her knowledge of the TCGs and cards, and the captivating way she presents content — in person as well as on social media.

“Pokémon was something I gravitated toward as a kid,” she said. “I grew up in a household of collectors so it was inevitable that I would begin my own collecting journey. I started collecting Pokémon when I was young and would play with my friends after school all the time.

“I loved organizing my cards in binders and there was a social aspect to it as well. I think collecting and our passions stem from what we do naturally and what we feel nostalgic about as we get older. Pokémon is a deep collecting space with a rich history in not only cards, but video games, merchandise, stickers, etc.”

Interestingly, despite her following of fans, she doesn't consider herself a social influencer. Rather, she qualifies her pursuit as a media business that goes well beyond buying and selling.

“I now run Don Diego Trading on a full-time basis,” she continued. “Before I took up the hobby full time, I had just completed online schooling to become a software engineer. I did that while working

full-time. But I quickly realized my passion was in making educational content and learning more about rare and unique cards in Pokémon.”

A collector and businesswoman, Don Diego has entrenched herself in all aspects of the hobby. Her company, Don Diego Trading, is a trading cardobsessed business focused on Pokémon, sports cards, MTG, Weiss Schwarz and other TCGs. She travels across the country to attend shows, small and large. A cosplayer as well, she’ll often dress for the occasion by sporting costumes of her favorite characters including Lara Croft from Tomb Raider, Skull Ranger from Fortnight, and Spider-Gwen from Marvel lore, the latter which she appeared as at the recent New York Comic Con. She even emerged as a killer vampiress in October for the Crimson Anniversary at MTG 30 in Las Vegas.

She does not compete in any TCG tournaments. Instead, her goal of attending the shows is to make in-person deals and find big collections to purchase. “And, of course, I like to connect with the community and meet other people on similar journeys,” she said. “I love to give my followers a window into a day in the life at a card show. The cherry on top is when I can make a deal happen as well.

“I absolutely love The National. I want to bring more TCG and Pokémon influence to the event. This past year in Atlantic City, I hosted the first-ever TCG Trade Night, which I plan on repeating in Chicago in 2023.”

Her rise in the Pokémon realm has happened quickly. It’s not something she necessarily anticipated but is certainly a development she welcomes with open arms.

“Over the past two years. I’ve honed in on my own goals of building one of the biggest Pokémon businesses in the space,” she said. “I spend countless hours analyzing how to improve my content and connect with my viewers on a daily basis. It definitely wasn’t easy at times betting on myself, but having the support of my friends and family and even a simple ‘thanks for this info, didn’t know that’ comment, gives me the motivation to keep going.

“I am inspired by the Pokémon collectors who came before me and created great content and established the foundation for this hobby. I just hope to one day make a fraction of the impact they have through my own content.”

Toward that end, she’s constantly creating informative, entertaining reels on her Instagram account and hosts live pack breaks on her YouTube channel (@dondiegotrading) every Tuesday. And though she’s buying, selling and collecting Pokémon cards like there’s no tomorrow — there’s one score that goes unmatched.

In 2021, while attending a card show in Dallas, she encountered a fellow collector who had obtained all 12 of the 2010 Pokémon Design Contest prize cards, all graded by PSA. Although a casual fan may not have noticed them, this collection stopped her dead in her tracks. She had to have them, and in her words, “it was time to make a deal!”

The 2010 Pokémon Design Contest was an illustration contest conducted by Japanese publisher Shogakukan in which contestants submitted artwork for the Illusion’s Zorua and Zoroark cards based on premade templates. A total of 660 winners were selected based on their submissions, but only 10 received a grand prize of 200 physical cards featuring their own original illustrations. Additionally, two Zorua/Zoroark “Chosen Entry Prize” cards were awarded to the 660 winners, although it is believed far fewer are actually in circulation. The low quantities of these prize cards, and the fact that their existence in the wider marketplace hinges entirely on the winners’ decisions to distribute them, has surrounded these cards with an aura of intrigue and extreme value. Luckily, Don Diego was able to strike a deal and acquire all 12 for her personal collection.

She cited the lyrics of Drake’s song “Trophies” as a personal mantra for her collecting goals. “The point of the song isn’t about winning trophies or championships, but doing the best you can,” she said, “because that’s how you make the most of your opportunities — and those are the real trophies in life and in this hobby.” While her sentiment is about the journey rather than the destination, there is no denying that these Design Contest cards, and other prize cards like them, are proverbial trophies that grant instant bragging rights to their owners.

Prize cards have been a staple in the Pokémon TCG since 1997, the first of which were given out to winners of Pokémon’s first official tournament in Japan. To this day, these bronze, silver, and gold Trophy Pikachu cards occupy the most elite level of collecting, and have set the standard for prize cards for years to come.

Prize cards cannot be found in standard hobby packs as they are typically reserved for tournaments and contests. Some of the most legendary pieces from this elite group include the 1998 Japanese Kangaskhan Family Event Trophy Card and the 1998 Japanese University Magikarp Tamamushi University Prize Card. The Kangaskhan was given to parent/child teams who won a certain number of rounds in a Japanese tournament in 1998, while the Magikarp was awarded to people who passed a series of mail-in exams printed across six issues of Shogakukan magazines. These limited-time events were not only obscure, but they demanded a high level of commitment to even become eligible to receive prizes. Because of this, it is believed that less than 100 copies may exist of the Kangaskhan (current total PSA Pop: 53) and 1,000 or less copies exist of the Magikarp (current total PSA Pop: 102). It goes without saying that PSA-graded examples of these cards sit near the summit of secondary market Pokémon card value.

The Zorua/Zoroark prize cards that Don Diego triumphantly acquired are part of a long tradition of artwork-based contests organized by Pokémon. These events began in 1997, starting with a contest in which readers of Corocoro Comics submitted original artwork of their favorite Pokémon. Three winners were given 20 copies of cards featuring their original illustrations, as well as the Pikachu Illustrator card, which now reigns as the most valuable Pokémon card of all time.

Subsequent Corocoro contests were held in 1998 and 1999, including one that posed a unique twist on the format, in which participants submitted photos they had taken in the Pokémon Snap N64 video game. Wizards of the Coast held another contest in 2002, followed by the Kids’ WB! Poké Card Creator Contest in 2004 and the 2009 Card Design Contest organized by Shogakukan. An international Art Academy competition was also held between 2014 and 2015, featuring specific themes for the entries, such as “Dress-Up Pikachu.”

The most recent contests are the multiple Illustration Grand Prix events held between 2018 and 2020. These events also incorporated themed categories — like “Pokémon Landscapes” — both of which produced stunning submissions. Although these contests have changed and expanded over the years, the premise of fans submitting artwork in the hopes of seeing it featured on actual physical cards has remained at their core. Rightfully

so, the winning artists’ names are credited on their respective cards, just like professional Pokémon artists. While some winning art becomes mass produced, like the 2020 Charizard Illustrator Grand Prix card, most are relegated to a handful of personal prize cards. The rarity of these cards makes these contests a thrill for not just artists looking to showcase their beautiful work, but collectors seeking out the rarest items in the hobby.

After acquiring her set of 12 Design Contest prize cards, Don Diego said: “I bought these cards as an entry point to the elite tier of Pokémon collecting. While the price points have gotten intimidating, it’s important for all Pokémon collectors to learn about the history of [these] cards because they tell the story of the hobby, the competitors, and the key moments that have taken place over the years.”

With a collective estimated value between $50,000 and $75,000, it would be hard for anyone to not make this set the centerpiece of their collection.

PSA Grading Standards

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

NUMERICAL GRADES FOR TRADING CARDS

GEM-MT 10: GEM MINT

A PSA Gem Mint 10 card is a virtually perfect card. Attributes include four perfectly sharp corners, sharp focus and full original gloss. A PSA Gem Mint 10 card must be free of staining of any kind, but an allowance may be made for a slight printing imperfection, if it doesn’t impair the overall appeal of the card. The image must be centered on the card within a tolerance not to exceed approximately 55/45 to 60/40 percent on the front, and 75/25 percent on the reverse.

MINT 9: MINT

A PSA Mint 9 is a superb condition card that exhibits only one of the following minor flaws: a very slight wax stain on reverse, a minor printing imperfection or slightly off-white borders. Centering must be approximately 60/40 to 65/35 or better on the front and 90/10 or better on the reverse.

NM-MT 8: NEAR MINT-MINT

A PSA NM-MT 8 is a super high-end card that appears Mint 9 at first glance, but upon closer inspection, the card can exhibit the following: a very slight wax stain on reverse, slightest fraying at one or two corners, a minor printing imperfection, and/or slightly off-white borders. Centering must be approximately 65/35 to 70/30 or better on the front and 90/10 or better on the reverse.

NM 7: NEAR MINT

A PSA NM 7 is a card with just a slight surface wear visible upon close inspection. There may be slight fraying on some corners. Picture focus may be slightly out-of-register. A minor printing blemish is acceptable. Slight wax staining is acceptable on the back of the card only. Most of the original gloss is retained. Centering must be approximately 70/30 to 75/25 or better on the front and 90/10 or better on the back.

EX-MT 6: EXCELLENT-MINT

A PSA EX-MT 6 card may have visible surface wear or a printing defect which does not detract from its overall appeal. A very light scratch may be detected only upon close inspection. Corners may have slightly graduated fraying. Picture focus may be slightly out-of-register. Card may show some loss of original gloss, may have minor wax stain on reverse, may exhibit very slight notching on edges and may also show some offwhiteness on borders. Centering must be 80/20 or better on the front and 90/10 or better on the reverse.

EX 5: EXCELLENT

On PSA EX-5 cards, very minor rounding of the corners is becoming evident. Surface wear or printing defects are more visible. There may be minor chipping on edges. Loss of original gloss will be more apparent. Focus of picture may be slightly out-of-register. Several light scratches may be visible

upon close inspection, but do not detract from the appeal of the card. Card may show some off-whiteness of borders. Centering must be 85/15 or better on the front and 90/10 or better on the back.

VG-EX 4: VERY GOOD-EXCELLENT

A PSA VG-EX 4 card’s corners may be slightly rounded. Surface wear is noticeable but modest. The card may have light scuffing or light scratches. Some original gloss will be retained. Borders may be slightly off-white. A light crease may be visible. Centering must be 85/15 or better on the front and 90/10 or better on the back.

VG 3: VERY GOOD

A PSA VG 3 card reveals some rounding of the corners, though not extreme. Some surface wear will be apparent, along with possible light scuffing or light scratches. Focus may be somewhat off-register and edges may exhibit noticeable wear. Much, but not all, of the card’s original gloss will be lost. Borders may be somewhat yellowed and/or discolored. A crease may be visible. Printing defects are possible. Slight stain may show on obverse and wax staining on reverse may be more prominent. Centering must be 90/10 or better on the front and back.

GOOD 2: GOOD

A PSA Good 2 card’s corners show accelerated rounding and surface wear is starting to become obvious. A good card may have scratching, scuffing, light staining, or chipping of enamel on obverse. There may be several creases. Original gloss may be completely absent. Card may show considerable discoloration. Centering must be 90/10 or better on the front and back.

FR 1.5: FAIR

A PSA Fair 1.5 card’s corners will show extreme wear, possibly affecting framing of the picture. The surface of the card will show advanced stages of wear, including scuffing, scratching, pitting, chipping and staining. The picture will possibly be quite out-of-register and the borders may have become brown and dirty. The card may have one or more heavy creases. In order to achieve a Fair grade, a card must be fully intact. Even though the card may be heavily worn, it cannot achieve this grade if it is missing solid pieces of the card as a result of a major tear, etc. This would include damage such as the removal of the back layer of the card or an entire corner. The centering must be approximately 90/10 or better on the front and back.

PR 1: POOR

A PSA Poor 1 will exhibit many of the same qualities of a PSA Fair 1.5 but the defects may have advanced to such a serious stage that the eye appeal of the card has nearly vanished in its entirety. A Poor card may be missing one or two small pieces, exhibit major creasing that nearly breaks through all the layers of cardboard or it may contain extreme discoloration or dirtiness throughout that may make it difficult to identify the issue or content of the card on either the front or back. A card of this nature may also show noticeable warping or another type of destructive defect.

HALF POINT GRADES

Cards that exhibit high-end qualities within each particular grade, between PSA Good 2 and PSA Mint 9, may achieve a half-point increase. While PSA graders will evaluate all of the attributes possessed by a card in order to determine if the card may be eligible, there will be a clear focus on centering.

Generally speaking, a card must exhibit centering that is 5-10% better, at minimum, than the lowest % allowed within a particular grade. It is important to note that there may be cases where the overall strength of the card, such as the quality of the corners and print, will give the card the edge it needs despite the fact that it may exhibit only marginal centering for

the grade. This is especially true for cards that find themselves within the bottom half of the PSA 1-10 scale.

Finally, keep in mind that qualifiers will not apply to grades that achieve the half-point increase since, by definition, these cards have to exhibit high-end qualities within the grade in order to warrant consideration. For example, there will not be cards graded PSA NM-MT-Plus 8.5 OC or PSA EX-MT-Plus 6.5 PD since the half-point is reserved for high-end cards within each grade.

At this time, only cards qualify for half-point grades. Coins, pins, tickets and packs will not receive half-point grades.

QUALIFIERS

PSA will grade nearly every card submitted. Cards having significant flaws will receive “qualified” grades as follows:

OC (OFF CENTER):

When the centering of the card falls below the minimum standard for that grade will be designated “OC.” PSA determines centering by comparing the measurements of the borders from left to right and top to bottom. The centering is designated as the percent of difference at the most off-center part of the card. A 5% leeway is given to the front centering minimum standards for cards which grade NM 7 or better. For example, a card that meets all of the other requirements for PSA MINT 9 and measures 60/40 off-center on the front automatically meets the PSA front centering standards for MINT 9. If a card meets all of the other requirements for PSA MINT 9 and measures 65/35 off-center on the front, it may be deemed to meet the PSA front centering standards for MINT 9 if the eye appeal of the card is good.

ST (STAINING):

Cards with staining below the minimum standards for the grade will be designated “ST.”

PD (PRINT DEFECT):

Cards with significant printing defects will be designated “PD.”

OF (OUT OF FOCUS):

Cards with focus below the minimum standards for the grade will be designated “OF.”

MK (MARKS):

Cards with writing, ink marks, pencil marks, etc. or evidence of the impression left from the act of writing will be designated “MK.”

MC (MISCUT):

Cards that exhibit an atypical cut for the issue or ones that contain partial portions of more than one card will be designated “MC.”

UNGRADEABLE CARDS:

PSA will not grade cards that bear evidence of trimming, recoloring, restoration, or any other forms of tampering, or are of questionable authenticity. In addition, PSA does not grade autographed cards dated earlier than 1998.

THE GRADING OF HAND CUT CARDS

PSA will grade virtually any card that has been hand-cut off of a panel, box, etc. (Post Cereal, Hostess, Bazooka, Strip cards, etc.) keeping the following information in mind. This service does not include traditional sheet-cut cards. PSA will not grade cards cut from sheets that can be obtained in a normal fashion. For example, PSA will not grade a 1979 O-Pee-Chee Wayne Gretzky card cut from a sheet because that card was issued in non-sheet form. On the other hand, PSA will grade a 1959 Bazooka or 1961 Post Cereal Mickey Mantle because those cards could only be obtained in one fashion - removed by hand from a box or panel.

In order for PSA to actually assign a grade to any of the cards that possess visible/defined borders on all four sides, evidence of that border must be present. If the cut exceeds the visible

border for the card in question, PSA will encapsulate the card as “Authentic” only. If the card is severely undersized and suffers in overall eye appeal, the graders may deem the card not suitable for authentication or reject the card as minimumsized altogether.

Keep in mind that, for cards that do not possess visible/ defined borders, the cards must still fall within a certain size requirement for that particular issue in order to qualify for an actual grade. In other words, the borders must be virtually full in order for a grade to be rendered. Otherwise, as stated above, a label of “Authentic” will be assigned or, in some cases, the cards may fall short of the size requirement altogether. This is not an exact science. PSA will do its best to provide consistent guidelines for these types of cards.

In addition, PSA will allow cards that have had a coupon or tab removed from the original card to be submitted under this service. For example, if a 1952 Red Man Tobacco card is cut at or outside of the established tab line, the card would be eligible to receive a numerical grade. On the other hand, if the 1952 Red Man Tobacco card is cut inside of the line (the line where the tab meets the interior of the card), then the PSA graders will be precluded from entering a numerical grade. Cards that are cut within the limits established for a particular issue will be encapsulated and designated as “authentic” by PSA. All of the cards eligible for this service will be designated as “Hand-Cut” on the PSA label to distinguish them from the intact, “with tab” or “with coupon” examples.

PSA suggests that, in order to achieve the highest grades, the cuts of the cards should be relatively close to the visible borders without exceeding the limit. Cards that exhibit a clean, accurate and properly shaped cut have the best chance at achieving the highest grades. Eye appeal is very important. When it comes to excess paper or cardboard around the edges of the visible borders, the graders will place significant importance on overall eye appeal. Keep in mind that all cards of this type will be designated as “Hand-Cut” on the PSA label for accuracy. In addition, if the customer chooses, PSA will grade and encapsulate entire panels if those panels will fit in any of our current PSA holders. With the exception of the aforementioned items, normal grading criteria will apply.

THE IMPORTANCE OF EYE APPEAL AND SUBJECTIVITY IN GRADING

Over the years, more and more collectors have come to understand the basic guidelines behind PSA grading. After grading for well over a decade, PSA grading standards have truly become the official standard for the most valuable cards in the hobby. That being said, there are a host of grading questions that arise and the one basic question that comes up the most has to do with eye appeal and centering.

While it’s true that a large part of grading is objective (locating print defects, staining, surface wrinkles, measuring centering, etc.), the other component of grading is somewhat subjective. The best way to define the subjective element is to do so by posing a question: What will the market accept for this particular issue?

Again, the vast majority of grading is applied with a basic, objective standard but no one can ignore the small (yet sometimes significant) subjective element. This issue will usually arise when centering and/or eye appeal are in question. For example, while most cards fall clearly within the centering guidelines for a particular grade, some cards fall either just within or just outside the printed centering standards. The key point to remember is that the graders reserve the right, based on the strength or weakness of the eye appeal, to make a judgment call on the grade of a particular card.

What does this mean exactly?

Well, take this example. Let’s say you have a 1955 Topps Sandy Koufax rookie card that is right on the edge of the acceptable guidelines for centering in a particular grade. The 1955 Koufax

card has a yellow background that tends to blend with the border of the card. In other words, the contrast isn’t great, so poor centering may not be much of an eyesore – the borders are not clearly defined. In this case, if the card exhibits extremely strong characteristics in other areas (color, corners, etc.), an exception may be made to allow an otherwise slightly off-center card to fall within an unqualified grade (no OC qualifier). This is a rare occurrence but it does happen.

On the other hand, there are cards that technically fall within the printed PSA Grading Standards that may be prevented from reaching a particular unqualified grade because the eye appeal becomes an issue. For example, a 1957 Topps Sandy Koufax card has great contrast between the white borders and the picture because the background is very dark. It is possible that a 1957 Topps Sandy Koufax, one that technically measures for a particular grade – let’s say 70/30, may be prevented from reaching that unqualified grade because the market would view that card as off-center – based on eye appeal issues. Again, this is a rare occurrence but it does happen from time to time when a judgment call has to be made on a card that pushes the limits for centering.

In conclusion, the issues discussed do not apply to the vast majority of cards that filter through the PSA grading process each day but this is an issue that needed some clarification in the marketplace. The bottom line is that there are times when a PSA grader must make a call on a card that falls on the line between two grades and that final determination is made based on experience, eye appeal and market acceptability.

29 Ted Kluszewski 135 350 2000 5500 30 Mel Parnell 100 275 1000 3250 31 Gus Zernial 85 200 600 2200 32 Eddie Robinson 110 500 2200 5500 33 Warren Spahn 190 425 2000 8000 35 Hank Sauer 100 200 1000 3250 36 Gil Hodges 275 425 2880 9000 37 Duke Snider 225 450 2000 20000 41 Bob Wellman 90 200 950 3500 42 Lou Kretlow 90 225 1350 4250 43 Ray Scarborough 90 200 1200 3750 45 Eddie Joost 90 210 750 2800 46 Gordon Goldsberry 90 220 1900 5000 47 Willie Jones 90 200 600 4500

48 Joe Page (correct bio) 110 300 1150 4250 48 Joe Page (error) 1150 3000 8000 20000

49 Johnny Sain (correct bio) 125 400 3000 6500

49 Johnny Sain (error) 1000 2650 9500 20000

50 Marv Rickert 90 225 1350 5000

51 Jim Russell 125 300 1500 12500

52 Don Mueller 95 160 1150 3000

59 Robin Roberts 135 250 1000 5250

65 Enos Slaughter 135 250 950 4250

66 Preacher Roe 90 200 700 10000

67 Allie Reynolds 90 200 550 3650

70 Al Zarilla 90 265 2000 5500

71 Tom Upton 80 200 1250 3500

72 Karl Olson 80 275 1500 4000

75 Wes Westrum 90 200 1100 3000

79 Gerald Staley 130 450 1750 7500

80 Herman Wehmeier 200 750 5500 12500

81 Vern Law 65 135 350 2000

88 Bob Feller 350 500 1150 6500

91 Red Schoendienst 95 200 500 4000

92 Dale Mitchell 85 190 450 1750

99 Gene Woodling 85 190 450 2000

108 Jim Konstanty 85 190 450 2000

110 Dutch Leonard 85 190 450 2000

122 Jackie Jensen 90 200 475 2700

128 Don Bollweg 85 190 550 2300

129 Johnny Mize 125 250 750 4200

136 Johnny Schmitz 85 190 475 3500

137 Roy McMillan 85 190 225 1500

140 John Antonelli 85 200 550 2200

141 Clint Hartung 85 190 450 2300

161 Bud Byerly 85 325 1500 4500

162 Del Crandall 100 225 1000

165 Eddie Kazak 85 190 475 4000

168 Charlie Silvera 85 190 450 2000

169 Howie Judson 85 190 450 1950

170 Gus Bell 85 190 675 2500

171 Ed Erautt 85 225 2750 10000

172 Eddie Miksis 85 200 1650 4500

173 Roy Smalley 95 240 1400 174 Clarence Marshall 85 190 550 3250

175 Billy Martin 400 650 2750 10000

180 Charley Maxwell 85 250 3000 7500 189 Pete Reiser 85 190 600 7500

190 Don Johnson 85 190 450 2000

191 Yogi Berra 1300 2100 10000 47500

192 Myron Ginsberg 85 190 450 2500 193 Harry Simpson 85 190 550 1500

195 Minnie Minoso 100 200 750 3500

200 Ralph Houk 85 190 600 4000

202 Joe Collins 85 190 450 3500

215 Hank Bauer 85 190 450 2000 216 Richie Ashburn 220 450 800 17500 219 Bobby Shantz 85 190 450 2000 227 Joe Garagiola 85 190 450 2000

1955 TOPPS

450 Commons 161 - 210 50 60 115 550

Dusty Rhodes 45 100 200 1200

Ted Williams 825 1600 7100 22700

Art Fowler 50 45 350 4500

Al Kaline 100 200 1200 7500

Jim Gilliam 40 50 400 10000

Jim Hegan 40 50 550 3500

Hal Smith 40 50 400 2650

Bob Keegan 40 50 425 2000

Billy Herman 40 65 275 5000

Andy Carey 40 65 525 2300

Bill Skowron 40 50 150 800

Jack Parks 40 50 375 2900

Hal Newhouser 75 165 775 2950

Johnny Podres 40 125 1200 6500 26 Dick Groat 60 90 1000 7500 28 Ernie Banks 375 800 2400 12000 30 Vic Power 40 50 210 1000 31 Warren Spahn 165 300 950 6750 32 Ed McGhee 40 50 225 1750 33 Tom Qualters 40 50 295 1350 36 Leo Kiely 40 50 185 1500 40 Don Hoak 40 50 225 3000 47 Hank Aaron 1100- 2200- 4900- 57400+ 49 J. W. Porter 40 50 300 2500 50 Jackie Robinson 1200- 2500 9400+ 7470057 Billy O’Dell 40 50 375 2650 58 Jim Rivera 40 50 400 4800 63 Joe Collins 40 65 850 5250 64 Gus Triandos 40 50 165 4250 70 Al Rosen 50 65 225 2500 77 Arnold Portocarrero 40 50 190 700 78 Gordon Jones 40 50 210 850 80 Bob Grim 40 50 210 1350 84 Camilo Pascual 40 50 225 2650 89 Joe Frazier 40 50 150 3750 92 Don Zimmer 50 100 700 5500 100 Monte Irvin 75 220 1450 5850 106 Frank Sullivan 40 50 210 1150 109 Ed Lopat 40 50 250 4500 120 Ted Kluszewski 45 65 260 1400 123 Sandy Koufax 3600 6650 32200 376500 124 Harmon Killebrew 700+ 1300+ 3100- 31200125 Ken Boyer 55 100 300 2300 152 Harry Agganis 45 125 375 1450 155 Eddie Mathews 190 350 600 2050 156 Joe Black 50 95 350 4500 158 Tom Carroll 50 55 185 950 161 Chuck Tanner 45 55 165 1000 164 Roberto Clemente 7100+ 16000- 72800- 928800166 Hank Bauer 50 100 250 1200 173 Bob Kline 50 60 135 900

30 Pee Wee Reese 75 100 275 1750

35 Frank Robinson 550- 1600+ 5100+ 56000+

38 Nellie Fox 30 55 120 500

40 Early Wynn 27 50 115 475

45 Carl Furillo 25 45 150 1450

55 Ernie Banks 250 425 1050 4350

62 Billy Martin 40 70 165 1000

70 Richie Ashburn 30 60 140 650

76 Roberto Clemente 500 875 3100 7700

80 Gil Hodges 40 70 150 1350

82 Elston Howard 25 45 110 550

85 Larry Doby 30 55 135 950

90 Warren Spahn 55 90 190 950

95 Mickey Mantle 1800- 6600+ 16600+ 19080097 Yankees Team 55 90 180 1000

100 League Presidents 25 50 150 800

102 Ray Boone 15 28 65 220

115 Jim Gilliam 20 35 110 550

120 Bob Lemon 25 45 110 475 121 Clete Boyer 25 45 110 550

122 Ken Boyer 25 45 110 600

125 Al Kaline 55 90 225 1250

130 Don Newcombe 25 45 110 525

135 Bill Skowron 25 45 115 475

154 Red Schoendienst 25 45 110 450

165 Ted Kluszewski 50 90 275 1500

170 Duke Snider 65 115 350 2300

175 Don Larsen 30 55 125 650

176b Gene Baker (Bakep error) 275 370 2600

203 Hoyt Wilhelm 25 45 110 425

210 Roy Campanella 80 125 275 1400

212 Rocky Colavito 70 90 250 1150

215 Enos Slaughter 25 45 100 375

230 George Kell 25 40 100 400

53 Morrie Martin YL 40 90 265 1750

Tim Thompson YL 40 90 265 850

Del Ennis YL 40 85 230

Darrell Johnson YL 50 100 475

Von McDaniel YL 45 95 750 3500

Al Kaline 55 110 350 1400 70 Al Kaline YL 165 275 1100 4000 71 Dodgers Team 45 90 425 2200 77 Don Zimmer YL 60 120 450 2500 78 Ernie Johnson 15 75 550 1450 78 Ernie Johnson YL 50 165 1000 3000 79 Dick Williams YL 50 100 325 2500

85 Luis Aparicio 25 55 165 1150

85 Luis Aparicio YL 65 150 2000 4500 88 Duke Snider 55 110 450 4250 90 Robin Roberts 25 45 135 950 92 Clint Courtney YL 40 90 250 1500 97 Larry Jackson YL 40 90 350 1500 98 Billy Hunter YL 40 90 400 1750

100 Early Wynn YL 55 110 235 750

101 Bobby Richardson 20 40 140 1000

101 Bobby Richardson YL 55 115 375 2500

142 Enos Slaughter 22 36 110 300

150 Mickey Mantle 1200- 3100+ 11800+ 94500+

162 Gil Hodges 30 50 110 600

187 Sandy Koufax 150 300 1200 6500

230 Richie Ashburn 20 40 100 525

238 Bill Mazeroski 25 45 285 1850

240 Moose Skowron 22 35 95 450

246 Yankees Team 65 150 900 4500

256 White Sox Team 15 35 250 2750

270 Warren Spahn 55 95 350 1200

271 Billy Martin 24 38 75 475

275 Elston Howard 24 40 135 1000

285 Frank Robinson 75 110 350 3750

288 Harmon Killebrew 60 110 300 1400

289 Series Hurling Rivals (Burdette/Shantz) 15 30 275 1100

296 Ryne Duren 10 22 300 800

304 Tigers Big Bats (Kaline, etc.) 30 55 140 475

307 Brooks Robinson 70 150 525 2200

310 Ernie Banks 75 150 350 2500

312 Boston Red Sox 22 40 200 3000

314 Dodgers’ Boss & Power (Snider,Alston) 30 55 140 500

320 Whitey Ford 80 120 275 1500

321 Sluggers Supreme (Williams/Klu) 60 125 300 900 324 Hoyt Wilhelm 20 35 90 475 341 Pirates Team 15 30 150 1500 343 Orlando Cepeda 65 115 400 3500

351 Brave Fence Busters (Aaron, Mathews, etc.) 60 110 350 1800

368 Rocky Colavito 30 60 150 1500 370 Yogi Berra 90 175 400 2750 375 Pee Wee Reese 35 60 110 450

377 Braves Team Numerical 40 100 900 386 Birdie’s Young Sluggers (F. Robinson, etc.) 22 45 150 1650 392 Bennie Daniels 8 18 250 397 Tigers Team Numerical 40 175 2200 400 Nellie Fox 25 45 150 500

Orioles Team Numerical 40 115 2500

Frank Thomas 8 26 150 1300

World Series Batting Foes (Mantle, Aaron) 275 350 1750 40000

Vada Pinson 28 45 125 1850

Larry Doby 22 35 110 800

Redlegs Team Numerical 35 100 550 4500

Pancho Herrera Error (Herrer) 5500 8000 15000 25000

Rival Fence Busters (Mays, Snider) 60 100 450 3650

2016 BOWMAN

2016 BOWMAN CHROME

2016 BOWMAN DRAFT

TOPPS CHROME

Michael Jordan Ultrabilities Starter 80+ 550

Michael Jordan Star Power Plus 890 2100-

Michael Jordan Ultrabilities Superstar 1700 9900-

1 Michael Jordan Star Power Supreme 4300 17500

2 Allen Iverson Stars Gold 5100

2 Allen Iverson Star Power Plus 110

3 Kobe Bryant Star Power 50+ 180

3 Kobe Bryant Stars 620 2300

3 Kobe Bryant Star Power Supreme 1200 5200

3 Kobe Bryant Star Power Plus 210 990

4 Shaquille O’Neal Star Power Plus 90 690

6 Shawn Kemp Star Power Plus 130

6 Marcus Camby Stars 50 60

8 Kevin Garnett Stars 120 620

8 Kevin Garnett Star Power Plus 30

10 Dennis Rodman Stars 310 620

10 Dennis Rodman Star Power Supreme 570 1000

11 Ray Allen Stars Gold 1200 4600

14 Antoine Walker Stars 140

15 Scottie Pippen Stars Gold 1900

17 Shawn Kemp Stars 470

18 Tim Duncan Star Power Plus 90 280

18 Tim Duncan Star Power 20 190

131 Tim Duncan Gold Medallion 180 870

131 Tim Duncan Platinum Medallion /100 7700 36600

23G Michael Jordan Gold Medallion 200- 1700

259P Michael Jordan ‘98 Greats

Platinum Medallion /100 7000 46400

1 Michael Jordan Stars 2800 7900

1 Kobe Bryant Platinum Medallion /100 18300

2 Allen Iverson Star Power 20 70

2 Allen Iverson Stars 410 760

Kobe Bryant Stars Gold 10100 60100

Shaquille O’Neal Star Power Supreme 1200

Shaquille O’Neal Stars 260

Shaquille O’Neal Star Power 10 140

Stephon Marbury Stars Gold 760

Dennis Rodman Stars Gold 6400

Ray Allen Stars 160 1500

Kerry Kittles Stars Gold 960

Scottie Pippen Star Power Plus 40

Shawn Kemp Stars Gold 870

Tim Duncan Star Power Supreme 1200 2000

Duncan

UPPER DECK

Buyer's Guide

Buyer's Guide

Welcome to the first-ever PSA Buyer’s Guide, a catalog-inspired destination for the hobby featuring a curated selection of cards and other collectibles from PSA Dealer Partners to better your collecting pursuits.

It’s chock full of compelling objects of desire from the industry’s top auction houses, updates on upcoming sales, and hobby supply companies offering the best in protection and preservation items for your personal collection. Products run the gamut from Card Savers at Cardboard Gold and Hero Diamond Shell cases at Card Shellz, to protective single-card cases at GradedGuard and colorful carrying cases that hold up to 110 PSA-encapsulated cards at Zion Cases.

We will also be showcasing timely schedules that pinpoint important auctions from movers and shakers including Heritage, REA, Memory Lane and Mile High Card Company, as well as top industry shows to keep you in the loop of what’s happening next in our busy hobby. Our goal is to provide actionable information on the latest sales and hobby offers — all in an effort to help you with your collecting needs.

Baseball Card Exchange

Cardboard Gold

CardShellz

Collateral Finance Corporation Collect-a-Con

Collect Auctions

Dave and Adams Card World

Double Play Baseball Cards

GradedGuard

Heritage Auctions

JT Sports Kruk Cards

ADVERTISER DIRECTORY

Love of the Game Auctions

ManOnTheRock

Memory Lane Inc.

Mile High Card Company

PC Sportscards

PSA Set Registry

Robert Edward Auctions

Rockhurst Auctions

This is our debut PSA Buyer’s Guide so, rest assured, it will shift, grow and improve over time. A compliment to the sharp writing, great design and collector-focused articles found every month in PSA Magazine, we hope you'll enjoy this newest part of the journey with us. 30 19-21, 32 18, 19 Inside Back Cover 14 23 16, 27 31 21 Inside Front Cover, 1, 2, 9 22 23

Sirius Sports Cards Steve Novella University Archives Zion Cases

13 9, 15 4, 5, 8, 9 10-11 17 25 Cover, Back Cover, 6-8 15 31 17 26 20

1986 Fleer

Michael Jordan #57

PSA 9

January Encore Auction

January 12-22, 2023

Minimum Bid: $10

RobertEdwardAuctions.com

1968 Topps

Nolan Ryan #177 PSA 6

January Encore Auction

January 12-22, 2023

Minimum Bid: $10

RobertEdwardAuctions.com

1960 Topps

Mickey Mantle #350 PSA 6

January Encore Auction

January 12-22, 2023

Minimum Bid: $10

RobertEdwardAuctions.com

1958 Topps

Hank Aaron #30

White Name

PSA 6

January Encore Auction

January 12-22, 2023

Minimum Bid: $10

RobertEdwardAuctions.com

1903 World Series Huntington Grounds Program Game #1

Winter Rarities Auction

January 7, 2023

Minimum Bid: $25,000

MemoryLaneInc.com

Babe Ruth Signed Baseball

PSA AUTO 8

Winter Rarities Auction

January 7, 2023

Minimum Bid: $7,500

MemoryLaneInc.com

1933 Goudey

Napoleon Lajoie #106

PSA 7

Winter Rarities Auction

January 7, 2023

Minimum Bid: $25,000

MemoryLaneInc.com

1939 Lou Gehrig Day Type 1 Photo

Murray Becker (AP) PSA AUTH

Winter Rarities Auction January 7, 2023

Minimum Bid: $15,000

MemoryLaneInc.com

1949 Jackie Robinson Type 1 Photo

PSA AUTH

Buy It Now Price: $25,000

Charlie Barokas

eBay: ManOnTheRock

1927 Babe Ruth & Lou Gehrig

Yankees Type 1 Photo

PSA AUTH

Buy It Now Price: $30,000

Charlie Barokas

eBay: ManOnTheRock

1966 Philadelphia

Gale Sayers #38

PSA 9

Winter Sports Card Catalog Auction

January 26-27, 2023

Estimate: $50,000+

HA.com/sports

1979 O-Pee-Chee

Wayne Gretzky #18

PSA 9

Winter Sports Card Catalog Auction

January 26-27, 2023

Estimate: $125,000+

HA.com/sports

$500 - $999.99

$1,000 - $2,499.99

$2,500 - $4,999.99

$5,000 - $9,999.99

$10,000 - $24,999.99

Supply Chest

Cardboard Gold

CardboardGold.com cardboardgold@gmail.com

Card Saver I (Case/2,000) $149

For more than 35 years, Cardboard Gold has been one of the industry's most popular sources for the highest quality supplies at the lowest, factory direct prices. Its popular Card Saver 1 is slightly oversized for easy insertion and removal of sports trading cards. This product is recommended by PSA and most PSA dealers for card submissions. There’s a reason 400 million Card Savers have been sold since Cardboard Gold introduced the product at the 1987 National Sports Collectors Convention.

Card Shellz

CardShellz.com support@cardshellz.com

HERO Diamond Shell $10

HERO Diamond Shell cases are made from lightweight ultra-strong polycarbonate and offer additional protection for your standardsized PSA graded cards. HERO Diamond Shells are 30 times stronger than acrylic and scratch resistant, while also providing UV protection so your cards will not be damaged by destructive lighting. The snap shut latch perfectly blends ease of use with the comfort of security.

Perfect Fit Sleeves for

CardboardGold.com cardboardgold@gmail.com

Packages per Case (2,500 Sleeves)

Resealable, tapered flap sleeves sized to fit PSA-graded cards perfectly. They are acid free and archival safe to protect your encapsulated cards.

Zion Cases

Zion Cases provides the elite protection hobbyists crave for their encapsulated cards. Whether they are used for trade nights, card shows or for traveling to various events, Zion Cases is determined to be the leading supplier for all card storage options in the card collecting industry. The company's new Slab Case X Color Rush comes in 11 different bold colors and can hold up to 110 PSA-graded cards. Sturdy and sleek with a reinforced handle, the Slab Case X Color Rush also boasts locking mechanisms for added security.

GradedGuard offers attractive cases featuring raised bezels and edges to reduce scratching potential and offer better grip. They are specifically designed to fit standard PSA holders (2 11/16" x 3 13/16" cards) and can be added or removed with ease. They stack perfectly, too.

New easy pull, tabbed sleeves are perfect for PSA-grading submissions, long-term storage, breaker orders, show dealers, stores, and more. Allows you to easily remove cards from the Card Saver 1 and Cardboard Gold 3x4 Top Loaders. Its clear polypropylene is PVC-free and archival safe for long-term protection.

Set Registry

The Final Piece

ZACK BROWNING COMPLETES SIGNIFICANT SET WITH LATEST PURCHASE

Wizards of the Coast introduced several holofoil cards during their legendary run of Pokémon trading card products between 1999 and 2003, which have since ascended to immortal status. Zack Browning is one of the countless collectors who have been enamored by these dazzling cards over the years. But Zack is not your average holofoil collector; he successfully collected PSA 10 examples of every Wizards-era holofoil card, an Everest-scale achievement composed of more than 500 items.

Zack began this endeavor in 2012, posting updates to his YouTube channel (Gem Mint Pokémon) as well as entering his inventory into the PSA Set Registry. After establishing himself within the network of collectors he met at shows and on social media, Zack was finally contacted in 2022 by someone offering to sell the last card he needed: an Unlimited Neo Revelation Ampharos. The fellow collector reached out via Instagram, and after roughly a week of negotiating, a deal was struck and Zack finally completed his collection after 10 years. Zack is living proof that connecting with your community can open doors to your collecting goals.

Zack states, “I initially collected PSA 9s. That's what was attainable. When nearing completion, I had an opportunity to trade the 9s toward another set in PSA 10s. The rest is history. Through the last ten years, I've met many incredible collectors who are just as passionate about the hobby. It's all about finding childhood nostalgia and sharing it with those who have similar interests.”

Zack’s collection includes legendary pieces such as the 1999 Base Set Charizard, the Neo Series Shining Pokémon, and the e-Series Crystals. 1st-Edition, Shadowless, Unlimited, and all other variations from each set are graded as perfect PSA 10s. Zack adds, “This milestone still doesn't feel real. There's been countless hours of learning, searching, dreaming and writing goals of what a collection could be. This has been a testament to what unwavering passion can achieve. I cannot wait to see the hobby continue to grow and introduce Pokémon to the next generation of collectors. The best is yet to come.”

Follow this link to view Zack’s complete set on the PSA Set Registry:

Find out how the PSA Set Registry can help you manage, track and connect with other members. It's free and easy to join.

the midas touch

Going once, going twice, going three times with

Tom Brady's incredible run as the face of football collecting continued with the ground-breaking sale of this shimmering Bowman Chrome Refractor rookie card — the firstever public sale of the card in PSA 10 condition. The card sold for $498,000, easily surpassing Card Ladder's previous record for the card ($462,000) in any condition. Seven Super Bowl titles command an eye-popping price on the open market and, thanks to Brady's unprecedented longevity and talent, might not be a record for long. But with only seven graded at PSA's top tier, it might be a while until the next one surfaces.

The Kevin Durant/Kobe Bryant Dual Logoman card from the 2007 Upper Deck Exquisite Collection issue is the definitive basketball card not just of the 2007-08 NBA season, but Kevin Durant's career. Paired with Hall of Famer Kobe Bryant, this Durant card radiates exclusivity and awe. No one could imagine the heights Durant's career would take him, and Bryant's presence on this card showcases the best the NBA had to offer at the inception of Durant's journey. With a sale price of $726,000, this 1-of-1 card is arguably the finest collectible entry of Durant's exceptional career.

World Cup fever has the hobby in its thrall, and this singular Jude Bellingham Topps Chrome UEFA Champions League Superfractor proves the market's high interest in premier soccer collectibles. Around this time last year, a Bellingham rookie Superfractor in the same PSA grade sold for $28,800, while this card exceeded that amount by more than $10,000. Bellingham is one of the most exciting prospects in global soccer, and an eye-catching performance with England at the 2022 FIFA World Cup could send his collectibles into the stratosphere.

REVOLUTION

PRIZM

Ja Morant 40- 140-

Ja Morant Silver 190- 890-

RJ Barrett Silver 10- 110-

Jordan Poole Purple Pulsar /35 730 1000

Jordan Poole Green Ice 130 450

Jordan Poole Red /299 140 500

Jordan Poole Hyper 50+ 170

Jordan Poole Pink Ice 60+ 80-

Jordan Poole Tiger Stripe 480 1700

Darius Garland Gold Shimmer /10 3900 15900

Darius Garland Blue /199 290 1000

Darius Garland Blue Ice /99 540 1700

Darius Garland Tiger Stripe 790 2100

Darius Garland Purple Wave 50+ 220

Zion Williamson Sensational Swatches 40 90+

Kobe Bryant 30+ 40

Kobe Bryant Green 40+ 6075 Luka Doncic Silver 40 60+ 98 Stephen Curry Silver 10- 60+ 129 LeBron James Silver 20 120248 Zion Williamson Red Ice 100- 790 248 Zion Williamson Blue Ice /99 2400- 9500 248 Zion Williamson Ball In One Hand 50- 170248 Zion Williamson Blue Shimmer 1200 4000 248 Zion Williamson Red /299 700- 2100 248 Zion Williamson Green 80 270249 Ja Morant Tiger Stripe 2500 8200 249 Ja Morant Pink Ice 130-

89 Sabrina Ionescu Silver 40- 700 256 Tyrese Maxey Silver 80+ 360256 Tyrese Maxey 20- 60258 Anthony Edwards Red/White/Blue 50- 130258 Anthony Edwards Blue Ice /125 1000 7200

258 Anthony Edwards Orange /49 5100 17600

258 Anthony Edwards Mojo /25 4500 13500

258 Anthony Edwards Orange Wave /60 1500 2800 258 Anthony Edwards Green Ice 570 960 258 Anthony Edwards Gold Shimmer /10 10900 11800 258 Anthony Edwards Blue Yellow Green 470+ 660258 Anthony Edwards Gold Wave 520 2000258 Anthony Edwards 20- 80258 Anthony Edwards Hyper 60- 510 258 Anthony Edwards Purple Pulsar /35 1400 2300 258 Anthony Edwards Purple Ice /175 850 2500 258 Anthony Edwards Blue Wave 220+ 460258 Anthony Edwards Pink Ice 70- 280258 Anthony Edwards Red Ice 80+ 300+ 258 Anthony Edwards Blue /199 930- 5100 258 Anthony Edwards Green Pulsar /25 2000 2800 258 Anthony Edwards Choice Blue /49 1100 2500 258

Anthony Edwards Green 60- 180258 Anthony Edwards Purple /99 1100- 2600 258 Anthony Edwards Silver 150- 790258 Anthony Edwards Blue Shimmer /35 1700 4300 258 Anthony Edwards Red /299 450 1400258 Anthony Edwards Purple Wave 210+ 630

Anthony Edwards Orange Ice 70- 320-

Pulsar 280 970

Joe Burrow Pink 100 440+

Joe Burrow 40- 140-

Joe Burrow Orange /249 540 2000 307

Joe Burrow Blue Wave /199 460- 1700+ 307

Joe Burrow Red Ice 120- 420307

Joe Burrow Red Shimmer /35 750 5100 307

Joe Burrow Disco 170+ 390 307

Joe Burrow Lazer 140+ 320307

Joe Burrow Green 90 220307

Joe Burrow Hyper /175 370 1200 307

Joe Burrow Red 900 7400 307

Joe Burrow Red Wave /149 390 790 307

Joe Burrow Light Blue 150- 450307

Joe Burrow White Sparkle 4200 6700 307

Joe Burrow Black & White Checker 840 3200 307

307

307

Joe Burrow Red/White/Blue 70- 290

Joe Burrow Blue Ice /99 1400 3700

Joe Burrow Green Scope /75 440- 1400-

308 Tee Higgins 10+ 50+

308 Tee Higgins Silver 20 60-

325

Justin Herbert Light Blue 500- 1500-

325 Justin Herbert Blue Ice /99 3500 10600

325 Justin Herbert Red White Blue 80- 350-

325 Justin Herbert 50- 170-

325 Justin Herbert Silver 220- 1500

325

Justin Herbert Autograph 2600+ 3600

325 Justin Herbert Blue Wave /199 730+ 3800

325 Justin Herbert Red Ice 150- 500-

325

Justin Herbert White Sparkle 5500 21000 332 Jonathan Taylor Red White Blue 30- 60332 Jonathan Taylor Silver 40+ 220 332 Jonathan Taylor 20+ 20332 Jonathan Taylor Red Ice 20+ 90 334 CeeDee Lamb 20+ 40+ 339 Tua Tagovailoa Rookie Autographs Prizm (Silver) 570 1300 339 Tua Tagovailoa 20 80339 Tua Tagovailoa Silver 120 740 343 Jalen Hurts Disco 70 160343 Jalen Hurts Silver 150- 720343 Jalen Hurts 30- 110363 Jordan Love 10- 50+ 363 Jordan Love Silver 60+ 240 398 Justin Jefferson 20+ 90+

1st Edition Holo 140- 620

Articuno Holo 80- 450

Articuno 1st Edition Holo 280- 1900

Ditto Holo 50- 210

Ditto 1st Edition Holo 130- 560

Dragonite 1st Edition Holo 440- 6000 4 Dragonite Holo 190+ 2500 5 Gengar 1st Edition Holo 300+ 2400

Gengar Holo 100- 1000

Haunter 1st Edition Holo 120- 520

Haunter Holo 80+ 300

Hitmonlee 1st Edition Holo 120+ 1000

Hitmonlee Holo 120+ 360

Hypno Holo 40- 370

4 Charizard Holo 990- 93005 Clefairy Shadowless Holo 270 2000 5 Clefairy Holo 90 910 5 Clefairy 1st Edition Holo 760 7300 6 Gyarados 1st Edition Holo 1000 7300 7 Hitmonchan 1st Edition Holo 1100 7100 8 Machamp 1st Edition Holo 100- 1100 9 Magneton 1st Edition Holo 740- 4600 10 Mewtwo 1st Edition Holo 2300+ 20800 11 Nidoking 1st Edition Holo 950 5500 12 Ninetales 1st Edition Holo 1500 9400 13 Poliwrath 1st Edition Holo 910 4000 14 Raichu 1st Edition Holo 950 7300 15 Venusaur Holo 290+ 1300+ 15 Venusaur Shadowless Holo 630- 3800 15 Venusaur 1st Edition Holo 2300- 19700 16 Zapdos 1st Edition Holo 1100 4100 44 Bulbasaur 1st Edition 240- 210046 Charmander Shadowless 30+ 150+ 46 Charmander 1st Edition 160 93058 Pikachu Shadowless Yellow Cheeks 30- 10058 Pikachu Shadowless Red Cheeks 70- 33058 Pikachu Yellow Cheeks 30+ 7058 Pikachu 1st Edition Red Cheeks 520- 5300 63 Squirtle 1st Edition 160- 790+

1999 POKEMON JUNGLE

1 Clefable 1st Edition Holo 110 1900

1 Clefable No Symbol Holo 150+ 1800

1 Clefable Holo 60 760

1 Clefable Prerelease Holo 6200 2 Electrode Holo 40+ 280 2 Electrode 1st Edition Holo 90+ 780 2 Electrode No Symbol Holo 90 1200

3 Flareon Holo 100- 760 3 Flareon No Symbol Holo 190+ 10003 Flareon 1st Edition Holo 280+ 1300

4 Jolteon Holo 90- 1200 4 Jolteon 1st Edition Holo 390+ 2100 4 Jolteon No Symbol Holo 250 2800 5 Kangaskhan 1st Edition Holo 150 2000 5 Kangaskhan Holo 60+ 920 5 Kangaskhan No Symbol Holo 110 810

6 Mr. Mime 1st Edition Holo 140+ 1200

6 Mr. Mime Holo 70+ 290 6 Mr. Mime No Symbol Holo 130+ 970 7 Nidoqueen 1st Edition Holo 100- 780

7 Nidoqueen Holo No Symbol 90 900 7 Nidoqueen Holo 70- 600

8 Pidgeot 1st Edition Holo 170- 1100

8 Pidgeot Holo 80+ 370

8 Pidgeot No Symbol Holo 120- 530

9 Pinsir 1st Edition Holo 120+ 980

9 Pinsir No Symbol Holo 100 840

9 Pinsir Holo 50 300

10 Scyther Holo 70- 310

10 Scyther No Symbol Holo 100- 1200

10 Scyther 1st Edition Holo 200- 1200

11 Snorlax Holo 110- 1500

11 Snorlax 1st Edition Holo 340- 7000

11 Snorlax No Symbol Holo 220+ 2600-

12 Vaporeon Holo 100- 170

12 Vaporeon 1st Edition Holo 390+ 8500 12 Vaporeon No Symbol Holo 200 3600 13 Venomoth No Symbol Holo 140 820 13 Venomoth 1st Edition Holo 120+ 1100 13 Venomoth Holo 30- 270 14 Victreebel Holo 70+ 370 14 Victreebel No Symbol Holo 100- 1100 14 Victreebel 1st Edition Holo 130+ 1100 15 Vileplume No Symbol Holo 100 910 15 Vileplume 1st Edition Holo 110+ 1100 15 Vileplume Holo 60 820 16 Wigglytuff No Symbol Holo 110 3500 16 Wigglytuff Holo 50- 740 16 Wigglytuff 1st Edition Holo 130+ 1600

GX Shiny Vault: Full Art 20+ 30 SV93 Tapu Koko GX Shiny Vault: Full Art 20+ 50+ SV89 Mt. Coronet Shiny Vault: Full Art 10+ 30+

SV69 Umbreon GX Shiny Vault: Full Art 70 150SV60 Espeon GX Shiny Vault: Full Art 50 100+

SV90 Shrine of Punishment Shiny Vault: Full Art 10 20SV61 Banette GX Shiny Vault: Full Art 10 20SV58 Xurkitree GX Shiny Vault: Full Art 10- 30SV81 Aether Foundation Employee Shiny Vault: Full Art 10- 20-

SV74 Stakataka GX Shiny Vault: Full Art 20+ 30+

SV80 Drampa GX Shiny Vault: Full Art 10+ 20-

SV59 Mewtwo GX Shiny Vault: Full Art 40- 80-

SV83 Fisherman Shiny Vault: Full Art 20- 30+

SV48 Golisopod GX Shiny Vault: Full Art 20+ 30

SV84 Guzma Shiny Vault: Full Art 10- 20+

SV55 Glaceon GX Shiny Vault: Full Art 30 40-

SV54 Articuno GX Shiny Vault: Full Art 20 50

SV49 Charizard GX Shiny Vault: Full Art 310- 640-

SV77 Altaria GX Shiny Vault: Full Art 20- 40+

SV92 Tapu Fini GX Shiny Vault: Full Art 20+ 20-

SV53 Alolan Ninetales GX Shiny Vault: Full Art 20 40-

SV67 Lycanroc GX Shiny Vault: Full Art 10 40+

SV91 Tapu Bulu GX Shiny Vault: Full Art 10 20-

SV72 Scizor GX Shiny Vault: Full Art 30 60-

SV87 Aether Paradise Conservation Area Shiny Vault: Full Art 20+ 40+

SV85 Hiker Shiny Vault: Full Art 10- 20SV75 Gardevoir GX Shiny Vault: Full Art 20+ 40SV68 Buzzwole GX Shiny Vault: Full Art 10- 20SV94 Tapu Lele GX Shiny Vault: Full Art 10- 30-

SV47 Decidueye GX Shiny Vault: Full Art 10- 40+

SV50 Ho-oh GX Shiny Vault: Full Art 20- 30SV70 Darkrai GX Shiny Vault: Full Art 30+ 70+

SV76 Sylveon GX Shiny Vault: Full Art 50 110SV82 Cynthia Shiny Vault: Full Art 60- 100-

Dark Magician 50 150 005 Dark Magician (1st Edition) 1900 7500 005 Dark Magician (1st Edition AE) 800 3500 006 Gaia Fierce Knight 30 80 006 Gaia Fierce Knight (1st Edition) 400 2200 006

Gaia Fierce Knight (1st Edition AE) 60 125 007

Celtic Guardian 15 40 007

Celtic Guardian (1st Edition) 350 1200 007

Celtic Guardian (1st Edition AE) 25 50 009

Mammoth Graveyard 8 10 012 Trial of Hell (1st Edition) 75 300 052

Dark Hole 25 60 052 Dark Hole (1st Edition AE) 25 50 052 Dark Hole (1st Edition) 200 900 053 Raigeki 45 80 053 Raigeki (1st Edition) 250- 1100058 Trap Hole 20 40 058 Trap Hole (AE) 25 50 058 Trap Hole (1st Edition) 200- 950059 Polymerization 20 40 059 Polymerization (1st Edition) 275- 1300 059 Polymerization (1st Edition AE) 20 60 062

Mystical Elf 15 40

062 Mystical Elf (1st Edition) 300 1000062 Mystical Elf (1st Edition AE) 15 40 066

066

Curse of Dragon 20 50

Curse of Dragon (1st Edition) 325- 1400066 Curse of Dragon (1st Edition AE) 20 60 070

Red-Eyes B. Dragon 200 800 070 Red-Eyes B. Dragon (1st Edition) 1500- 7500070 Red-Eyes B. Dragon (1st Edition AE) 800 3500

101

Swords of Revealing Light 25 50 101

E047 Polymerization (Europe) 20 40

E047 Polymerization (Europe-1st Edition) 25 50

E050 Mystical Elf (Europe-1st Edition) 25 50

E053 Curse of Dragon (Europe-1st Edition) 25 50

E056 Red-Eyes B. Dragon (Europe) 60 140

E056 Red-Eyes B. Dragon (Europe-1st Edition) 125 300

E080 Final Flame (Europe-1st Edition) 8 15

E081 Swords of Revealing Light (Europe) 20 40

E081 Swords of Revealing Light (Europe-1st Edition) 25 50

E088 Man-Eater Bug (Europe) 20 40

E088 Man-Eater Bug (Europe-1st Edition) 25 50

E096 Monster Reborn (Europe) 40 90

E096 Monster Reborn (Europe-1st Edition) 60 150

E097 Right Leg (Europe) 40 100

E097 Right Leg (Europe-1st Edition) 60 150

E098 Left Leg (Europe-1st Edition) 60 150

E098 Left Leg of the Forbidden One (Europe) 40 100

E099 Right Arm (Europe) 40 100

E099 Right Arm (Europe-1st Edition) 60 150

E100 Left Arm (Europe-1st Edition) 60 150

E100 Left Arm of the Forbidden One (Europe) 40 100

E101 Exodia the Forbidden One (Europe) 45 150

E101 Exodia/Forbidden (Europe-1st Edition) 100 250

E102 Gaia Dragon Champ. (Europe-1st Edition) 150 550

E102 Gaia Dragon Champ. (Europe) 40 100

G000 Tri-Horned Dragon (1st Edition-German) 60 250

G001 Blue-Eyes White Dragon (1st Edition-German) 175 750

G003 Dark Magician (1st Edition-German) 80 350

G046 Trap Hole (1st Edition-German) 20 60

G047 Polymerization (1st Edition-German) 20 65

G050 Mystical Elf (1st Ediiton-German) 15 50

G053 Curse of Dragon (1st Edition-German) 20 60

G088 Man-Eater Bug (1st Edition-German) 15 50

Swords of Revealing Light (1st Edition AE) 25 50

Swords of Revealing Light (1st Edition) 250- 1000 101

108

Man-Eater Bug 20 40 108 Man-Eater Bug (1st Edition) 150- 800 110 Hane-Hane (1st Edition AE) 5 15 118 Monster Reborn 40 100 118 Monster Reborn (1st Edition) 950 4500 118 Monster Reborn (1st Edition AE) 60 150 119 Pot of Greed 10 25 119 Pot of Greed (1st Edition) 200 800 120

Right Leg of the Forbidden One 35 100 120

Right Leg of the Forbidden One (1st Edition) 500 2000120 Right Leg of the Forbidden One (1st Edition AE) 60 150 121

Left Leg of the Forbidden One 35 100 121

Left Leg of the Forbidden One (1st Edition) 600 3300 121

Left Leg of the Forbidden One (1st Edition AE) 60 150 122

Right Arm of the Forbidden One 35 100 122

Right Arm of the Forbidden One (1st Edition) 500 2250122 Right Arm of the Forbidden One (1st Edition AE) 60 150 123

Left Arm of the Forbidden One 35 100 123

Left Arm of the Forbidden One (1st Edition) 650 3000 123 Left Arm of the Forbidden One (1st Edition AE) 60 150 124 Exodia the Forbidden One 50 150 124

Exodia the Forbidden One (1st Edition) 1200- 6250124 Exodia the Forbidden One (1st Edition AE) 120 450

125

G096 Monster Reborn (1st Edition-German) 45 250

G098 Left Leg of the Forbidden One (1st Edition-German) 45 150

G099 Right Arm of the Forbidden One (1st Edition-German) 45 150

G101 Exodia, Die Verbotene (1st Edition-German) 75 300

I000 Tri-Horned Dragon (1st Edition-Italian) 45 200

I000 Tri-Horned Dragon (Italian) 25 60

I001 Blue Eyes White Dragon (1st Edition-Italian) 175 650

I050 Mystical Elf (1st Edition-Italian) 20 50

I056 Red-Eyes B. Dragon (1st Edition-Italian) 60 200

P000 Tri-Horned Dragon (Portuguese-1st Edition) 45 175 P001 Blue-Eyes WH.Dragon (Portuguese-1st Edition) 125 550 P070 Red-Eyes B. Dragon (Portuguese-1st Edition) 85 250

P124 Exodia the Forbidden One (Portuguese-1st Edition) 50 150

P125 Gaia the Dragon Champion (Portuguese-1st Edition) 95 400

S001 Blue-Eyes WH.Dragon (Spanish-1st Edition) 175 500

S003 Flame Swordsman (Spanish-1st Edition) 50 100 S005 Dark Magician (Spanish-1st Edition) 80 200

S052 Dark Hole (Spanish-1st Edition) 20 40

S118 Monster Reborn (Spanish-1st Edition) 45 100

S120 Right Leg of the Forbidden One (Spanish-1st Edition) 45 100

Gaia the Dragon Champion (1st Edition AE) 150 550

Gaia the Dragon Champion (1st Edition) 800- 7500 125

A000 Tri-Horned Dragon (Oceanic-1st Edition) 75 200

A001 Blue-Eyes WH.Dragon (Australia-1st Edition) 300 650

A003 Flame Swordsman (Australia-1st Edition) 75 125

A005 Dark Magician (Oceanic-1st Edition) 125 250

A006 Gaia Fierce Knight (Oceanic-1st Edition) 60 125

A007 Celtic Guardian (Australia-1st Edition) 25 50

A022 Fusionist (Australia-1st Edition) 10 20

A050 Umi (Australia-1st Edition) 8 10

A052 Dark Hole (Australia-1st Edition) 25 50

A053 Raigeki (Australia-1st Edition) 40 75

A058 Trap Hole (Australia-1st Edition) 25 50

A061 Two-Pronged Attack (Australia-1st Edition) 10 20

A062 Mystical Elf (Australia-1st Edition) 25 50

A066 Curse of Dragon (Australia-1st Edition) 25 50

A068 Dragoness the Wicked Knight (Australia-1st Edition) 10 20

A070 Red-Eyes B. Dragon (Oceanic-1st Edition) 125 300

A095 Stop Defense (Australia-1st Edition) 10 20

A097 Raise Body Heat (Australia-1st Edition) 10 20

A100 Final Flame (Australia-1st Edition) 10 20

A106 Armed Ninja (Australia-1st Edition) 10 20

A108 Man-Eater Bug (Australia-1st Edition) 20 50

A110 Hane-Hane (Australia-1st Edition) 10 20

A118 Monster Reborn (Australia-1st Edition) 60 150

A120 Right Leg of the Forbidden One (Oceanic-1st Edition) 60 150

A121 Left Leg of the Forbidden One (Oceanic-1st Edition) 60 150 A122 Right Arm of the Forbidden One (Oceanic-1st Edition) 60 150 A123 Left Arm of the Forbidden One (Oceanic-1st Edition) 60 150 A124 Exodia the Forbidden One (Oceanic-1st Edition) 100 250 A125 Gaia the Dragon Champion (Oceanic-1st Edition) 150 550 E000 Tri-Horned Dragon (Europe) 40 75 E000 Tri-Horned Dragon (Europe-1st Edition) 75 200 E001 Blue-Eyes WH.Dragon (Europe) 80 200 E001 Blue-Eyes WH.Dragon (Europe-1st Edition) 300 750 E003 Dark Magician (Europe) 40 125 E003 Dark Magician (Europe-1st Edition) 100 350 E004 Gaia Fierce Knight (Europe) 35 90 E004 Gaia Fierce Knight (Europe-1st Edition) 60 125 E005 Celtic Guardian (Europe) 20 40 E005 Celtic Guardian (Europe-1st Edition) 25 50 E041 Dark Hole (Europe-1st Edition) 25 50 E042 Raigeki (Europe) 20 40 E042 Raigeki (Europe-1st Edition) 70 150 E046 Trap Hole (Europe-1st Edition) 25 50

S123 Left Arm of the Forbidden One (Spanish-1st Edition) 45 100 S124 Exodia the Forbidden One (Spanish-1st Edition) 50 250 S125 Gaia the Dragon Champion (Spanish-1st Edition) 100 500 2002 YU-GI-OH! SDK-STARTER DECK KAIBA PSA 9 PSA 10 Commons (1st Edition) 20 100 Commons (Unlimited)

Player Index

BASKETBALL

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (Lew Alcindor) -14.15%

Shareef Abdur-Rahim -28.34%

Alvan Adams -61.48%

Mark Aguirre 10.26%

Ray Allen -13.94%

Giannis Antetokounmpo -11.30%

Carmelo Anthony -2.28%

OG Anunoby 0.58%

Paul Arizin 1.42%

Deandre Ayton -4.24%

John Bagley -8.60%

Marvin Bagley III -11.84%

Thurl Bailey 1.93%

LaMelo Ball -47.94%

Lonzo Ball -24.28%

Mo Bamba -20.09%

Desmond Bane 15.65%

Charles Barkley -4.22%

RJ Barrett -15.15%

Elgin Baylor -0.72%

Bradley Beal 4.04%

Benoit Benjamin -16.29%

Larry Bird -2.99%

Otis Birdsong 12.63%

Rolando Blackman 0.83%

Devin Booker -18.15%

Chris Bosh -8.78%

Sam Bowie -2.01%

Bill Bradley 0.60%

Jaylen Brown -9.88%

Kobe Bryant -10.27%

Jimmy Butler -3.66%

Marcus Camby -1.39%

Joe Barry Carroll -0.80%

Vince Carter -15.55%

Wilt Chamberlain -1.85%

Tom Chambers -18.53%

Maurice Cheeks -26.16%

Nicolas Claxton -3.81%

Nat Clifton 4.20%

Mike Conley 10.12%

Michael Cooper 0.96%

Bob Cousy 2.26%

Jarrett Culver -2.89%

Cade Cunningham -34.19%

Stephen Curry -27.31%

Adrian Dantley -2.47%

Anthony Davis -18.06%

DeMar DeRozan -2.94%

Donte DiVincenzo -23.30%

Luka Doncic -16.84%

Clyde Drexler 2.21%

Joe Dumars 5.75%

Tim Duncan -0.85%

Kevin Durant -3.51%

Anthony Edwards -24.99%

Joel Embiid -9.14%

Julius Erving 2.31%

Patrick Ewing -2.47%

De’Aaron Fox 18.48%

Markelle Fultz -20.17%

Darius Garland -4.76%

Kevin Garnett 1.08%

Paul George -11.90%

Josh Giddey -20.67%

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander 10.18%

Artis Gilmore 1.51%

Manu Ginobili -4.48%

Mike Gminski 1.59%

Rudy Gobert 67.69%

Devonte’ Graham -37.41%

Draymond Green -16.26%

Blake Griffin -25.85%

Rui Hachimura -8.70%

Anfernee Hardaway -0.46%

James Harden -1.78%

John Havlicek -1.69%

Tom Heinsohn -1.56%

Tyler Herro -14.57%

Grant Hill -19.70%

Dwight Howard 1.63%

Phil Hubbard 9.88%

De’Andre Hunter -23.01%

Brandon Ingram -12.77%

Sabrina Ionescu -11.71%

Kyrie Irving 0.07%

Allen Iverson -4.42%

Jaren Jackson Jr. -15.55%

LeBron James -23.45%

Magic Johnson -2.33%

Nikola Jokic -14.52%

Eddie Jones 1.21%

Michael Jordan -8.75%

Shawn Kemp 1.09%

Jason Kidd -5.31%

(1M % Change)

Kerry Kittles -17.15%

Kyle Kuzma 2.62%

Zach LaVine -13.19%

Kawhi Leonard -31.01%

Damian Lillard -4.36%

Karl Malone -12.50%

Moses Malone -13.22%

Pete Maravich 7.21%

Stephon Marbury -15.30%

Tyrese Maxey 23.34%

Tracy McGrady -0.76%

George Mikan 0.00%

Reggie Miller 2.72%

Yao Ming -33.75%

Donovan Mitchell 4.98%

Earl Monroe -27.73%

Ja Morant -21.65%

Alonzo Mourning 35.12%

Chris Mullin -28.54%

Jamal Murray -31.36%

Steve Nash -60.89%

Dirk Nowitzki -5.10%

Shaquille O’Neal -8.39%

Hakeem Olajuwon 1.40%

Chris Paul -0.46%

Gary Payton 2.73%

Paul Pierce -12.31%

Scottie Pippen -6.80%

Jordan Poole -23.40%

Michael Porter Jr. -33.03%

Kristaps Porzingis -5.45%

Cam Reddish -6.88%

Willis Reed -3.40%

Oscar Robertson 7.33%

David Robinson 3.15%

Dennis Rodman -7.82%

Derrick Rose -15.70%

Bill Russell -0.74%

Collin Sexton -1.93%

Bill Sharman -4.04%

Pascal Siakam -20.19%

Ben Simmons -7.59%

Anfernee Simons 12.81%

Dennis Smith Jr. 1.75%

Jerry Stackhouse -7.00%

John Stockton -8.13%

Maurice Stokes 0.00%

Damon Stoudamire 23.79%

Jayson Tatum -16.02%

Isaiah Thomas 2.58%

Klay Thompson -14.15%

Karl-Anthony Towns -2.92%

Keith Van Horn -3.83%

Dwyane Wade -17.09%

Antoine Walker -3.10%

Kemba Walker -9.52%

John Wall -12.39%

Chris Webber 3.07%

Jerry West -13.10%

Russell Westbrook -4.67%

Coby White -1.09%

Andrew Wiggins -12.68%

Dominique Wilkins -21.33%

Zion Williamson -20.30%

Christian Wood -14.84%

Trae Young -4.32%

FOOTBALL

Josh Allen -2.54%

Saquon Barkley -0.23%

Terry Bradshaw -0.93%

Tom Brady -14.29%

Drew Brees -1.27%

Teddy Bridgewater 4.76%

Jim Brown 1.31%

Joe Burrow -27.42%

Dick Butkus -2.13%

Nick Chubb -28.09%

Dalvin Cook -20.54%

Kirk Cousins 15.32%

Jay Cutler 19.81%

Sam Darnold -8.91%

Stefon Diggs -8.05%

Ezekiel Elliott -9.01%

John Elway 14.39%

Brett Favre -10.21%

Justin Fields 46.31%

Dan Fouts -15.34%

Jimmy Garoppolo -0.88%

Rob Gronkowski -21.13%

Todd Gurley -15.46%

Franco Harris -0.13%

Derrick Henry -9.27%

Justin Herbert -11.38%

DeAndre Hopkins -20.85%

Jalen Hurts -0.83%

Bo Jackson -15.65%

Lamar Jackson -12.67%

Justin Jefferson 13.72%

Daniel Jones 1.31%

Ed Jones 2.90%

Julio Jones -0.26%

Mac Jones -32.97%

Alvin Kamara -9.10%

Travis Kelce 10.91%

Jim Kelly 20.28%

Cooper Kupp 0.17%

Jack Lambert -11.35%

Trey Lance -12.36%

Trevor Lawrence -0.86%

Ray Lewis -16.28%

Drew Lock -7.33%

Howie Long 16.65%

Jordan Love 28.48%

Patrick Mahomes II -21.82%

Eli Manning 7.80%

Peyton Manning -3.84%

Dan Marino -5.57%

Baker Mayfield -19.27%

Christian McCaffrey -11.62%

DK Metcalf -17.45%

Gardner Minshew II 2.18%

Joe Montana -2.13%

Warren Moon 1.02%

Randy Moss -2.05%

Kyler Murray -8.72%

Bronko Nagurski 0.00%

Joe Namath -2.70%

Cam Newton 7.36%

Walter Payton -2.37%

Adrian Peterson -7.34%

Dak Prescott -34.63%

Jerry Rice -8.58%

Ben Roethlisberger -0.95%

Aaron Rodgers -16.27%

Josh Rosen -18.53%

Barry Sanders -1.41%

Gale Sayers 9.76%

OJ Simpson 4.19%

Emmitt Smith -3.03%

Matthew Stafford -36.55%

Bart Starr -1.57%

Roger Staubach 1.90%

Lynn Swann -3.63%

Tua Tagovailoa 16.70%

Jonathan Taylor -18.32%

Michael Thomas -11.07%

LaDainian Tomlinson -7.85%

John Unitas -26.21%

Deshaun Watson -28.33%

Carson Wentz -37.15%

Randy White -6.12%

Russell Wilson -24.50%

Zach Wilson -12.24%

Steve Young -0.12%

BASEBALL

Hank Aaron -11.61%

Ronald Acuna Jr. -3.22%

Jo Adell -1.16%

Danny Ainge -2.33%

Ethan Allen 25.13%

Pete Alonso -1.53%

Yordan Alvarez -18.89%

Adrian Cap Anson -0.63%

Randy Arozarena -21.23%

Dick Bartell 0.00%

Cody Bellinger 29.97%

Johnny Bench -3.05%

Benny Bengough -11.28%

Larry Benton -7.46%

Yogi Berra 4.05%

Mookie Betts -4.37%

Bo Bichette -0.61%

Shane Bieber 11.36%

Joe Birmingham 0.00%

George Blaeholder 0.00%

Walter Blair 0.00%

Fred Blanding 0.00%

Wade Boggs 9.75%

Barry Bonds 10.30%

Jim Bottomley -9.52%

Ed Brandt 0.00%

Addison Brennan 0.00%

Roger Bresnahan 0.00%

George Brett 0.01%

Fred Brickell 3.00%

Lou Brock 0.23%

Miguel Cabrera -6.54%

Ray Caldwell 0.00%

Roy Campanella -0.74%

Rod Carew 1.47%

Steve Carlton -11.16%

Joe Carter -2.56%

Larry Cheney 0.00%

Eddie Cicotte 0.00%

Chalmer (Bill) Cissell -15.79%

John (Bud) Clancy 1.68%

Will Clark -9.05%

Roger Clemens 4.46%

Roberto Clemente 0.65%

Ty Cobb 0.99%

Eddie Collins 9.33%

Joe Connolly 0.00%

Otis (Doc) Crandall 0.00%

Hazen (Kiki) Cuyler -2.24%

Andre Dawson -4.35%

Rafael Devers -29.12%

Bill Dickey -4.48%

Joe DiMaggio 8.73%

Jasson Dominguez 3.89%

Mickey Doolan 0.00%

Taylor Douthit 15.74%

Jean Dubuc 0.00%

Oscar Dugey 0.00%

Jimmy Dykes 0.00%

Ted Easterly 0.00%

Dennis Eckersley 30.92%

Louis (Steve) Evans 0.00%

Johnny Evers 0.00%

Laverne Fator 0.00%

Ray Fisher 0.00%

Carlton Fisk -6.42%

Lew Fonseca 0.00%

Wander Franco -6.23%

Freddie Freeman 3.90%

Steve Garvey 0.70%

Lou Gehrig -4.49%

Bob Gibson -3.07%

Dwight Gooden -1.01%

Red Grange -0.49%

Vean Gregg 0.00%

Ken Griffey Jr. -3.66%

Clark Griffith 0.00%

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. -2.63%

Tony Gwynn -6.80%

Walter Hagen 1.01%

Bryce Harper -3.56%

Dave Harris 59.07%

Rickey Henderson -7.35%

Claude Hendrix 0.00%

Floyd (Babe) Herman 0.00%

Artie (Solly) Hofman 0.00%

Nat Holman -17.10%

Harry Hooper 0.00%

(Shoeless) Joe Jackson 0.00%

Reggie Jackson -1.25%

Derek Jeter -7.35%

Charles Jewtraw 0.00%

Eloy Jimenez -0.81%

Randy Johnson -8.42%

Roy Johnson 0.00%

Chipper Jones 1.19%

Aaron Judge -12.57%

Al Kaline -4.28%

Jarred Kelenic -8.04%

George Kell -1.19%

Harmon Killebrew 15.70%

Otto Knabe 0.00%

Mark Koenig 0.00%

Sandy Koufax -2.54%

Ralph (Red) Kress 0.00%

Napoleon Lajoie 0.00%

Frank LaPorte 0.00%

Jimmy Lavender 0.00%

Tony Lazzeri -4.18%

Anton Lekang 106.24%

Francisco Lindor 2.49%

Hans Lobert 0.00%

Jim Londos 0.00%

Marco Luciano -5.14%

Ted Lyons -1.97%

Connie Mack 0.00%

Greg Maddux 47.59%

Nick Madrigal 1.09%

Lee Magee 0.00%

Gus Mancuso 53.03%

Mickey Mantle 0.40%

Henry (Heinie) Manush -1.55%

Roger Maris 4.51%

Richard (Rube) Marquard 0.00%

Ed Mathews 0.91%

Christopher Mathewson 150.00%

Don Mattingly 1.67%

Willie Mays -5.45%

Willie McCovey -3.02%

John (Stuffy) McInnis 0.00%

Bob McLean 0.00%

Marty McManus 0.00%

Reggie Mcnamara -11.38%

John (Chief) Meyers 0.00%

Clyde Milan 0.00%

Ward Miller 0.00%

Paul Molitor 6.94%

Joe Morgan 0.89%

Jack Morris -2.23%

Thurman Munson -4.51%

Eddie Murray -1.64%

Stan Musial -1.20%

Glenn Myatt 0.00%

Bert Niehoff 0.00%

Bob O’Farrell -17.60%

Marty O’Toole 0.00%

Shohei Ohtani -15.46%

David Ortiz -5.90%

Frank (Yip) Owens 0.00%

Satchel Paige -25.90%

Jim Palmer 4.60%

George Perring 0.00%

George Pipgras -6.21%

Eddie Plank 0.00%

Buster Posey -0.02%

Robert Puason -3.09%

Kirby Puckett -2.27%

Albert Pujols -2.06%

Pee Wee Reese 10.08%

Jim Rice 7.04%

Cal Ripken Jr. -0.55%

Luis Robert -6.35%

Brooks Robinson 3.83%

Jackie Robinson -9.24%

Alex Rodriguez -0.36%

Julio Rodriguez -0.56%

Billy Rogell 19.67%

Pete Rose 0.18%

Herold (Muddy) Ruel -1.46%

Babe Ruth -7.77%

Nolan Ryan 0.63%

Ray Schalk 0.00%

Wally Schang 0.00%

Mike Schmidt 13.30%

Henry (Heinie) Schuble 0.00%

Tom Seaver -2.32%

Burt Shotton 0.00%

Al Simmons -22.85%

Frank Smith 0.00%

Ozzie Smith -2.19%

Juan Soto -9.10%

George Suggs 0.00%

Ichiro Suzuki 11.07%

Fernando Tatis Jr. -31.20%

Bill Terry 2.96%

Tommy Thevenow 0.00%

Frank Thomas -2.07%

Lafayette Fresco Thompson -0.73%

Jim Thorpe 7.47%

Joe Tinker 0.00%

Spencer Torkelson -68.70%

Gleyber Torres -3.25%

Harold (Pie) Traynor -0.06%

Mike Trout -4.19%

Trea Turner 2.69%

Andrew Vaughn -4.65%

Robert Veach 0.00%

Justin Verlander -8.02%

Ed Wachter -13.50%

Honus Wagner -1.63%

Paul Waner 1.94%

Hoyt Wilhelm -1.23%

Ted Williams 0.94%

Dave Winfield -2.92%

Bobby Witt Jr. 0.32%

Howard (Smoky Joe) Wood 0.00%

Carl Yastrzemski -4.34%

Christian Yelich 3.38%

Robin Yount -1.39%

Rollie Zeider 0.00%

RACING

Alexander Albon 4.13%

Valtteri Bottas -20.90%

Pierre Gasly -22.12%

Lewis Hamilton -23.82%

Charles Leclerc -13.65%

Lando Norris -18.63%

Esteban Ocon -23.59%

George Russell -10.41%

Max Verstappen -2.29%

Sebastian Vettel -13.46%

SOCCER

Johan Cruyff -0.58%

Kevin De Bruyne -14.34%

Ansu Fati -16.10%

Phil Foden -21.77%

Erling Haaland -8.13%

Son Heungmin -10.46%

Harry Kane -1.33%

Robert Lewandowski 4.44%

Diego Maradona -6.55%

Kylian Mbappe -15.43%

Lionel Messi -1.38%

Luka Modric 1.11%

Neymar Jr. 2.06%

Pele -4.16%

Paul Pogba -17.77%

Christian Pulisic -22.13%

Marcus Rashford -24.95%

Cristiano Ronaldo -2.97%

Jadon Sancho -11.99%

Timo Werner -7.74%

UFC/MMA

Khamzat Chimaev -6.11%

Ciryl Gane 0.92%

Conor McGregor -4.67%

Francis Ngannou 10.73%

Khabib Nurmagomedov -7.07%

Jiri Prochazka -34.35%

POKEMON

Aerodactyl -5.02%

Aether Paradise Conservation Area -14.23%

Alakazam 1.27%

Articuno -18.84%

Brooklet Hill -6.58%

Charizard 1.55%

Clefable -12.01%

Cynthia 2.02%

Ditto 3.89%

Dragonite -6.20%

Electrode -5.47%

Espeon -15.36%

Fisherman -10.69%

Flareon -1.65%

Gengar 4.76%

Guzma 16.86%

Gyarados -1.98%

Haunter 7.17%

Hitmonlee 9.65%

Hypno -12.15%

Jolteon 0.56%

Kabutops 4.65%

Kangaskhan 1.44%

Lady 0.19%

Lapras -7.66%

Magneton 1.55%

Mew 0.08%

Mewtwo 1.11%

Moltres -4.56%

Mr. Mime -18.22%

Mt. Coronet -3.27%

Muk -0.71%

Nidoqueen 16.38%

Ninetales -1.75%

Pidgeot -2.54%

Pikachu -4.98%

Pinsir 2.03%

Raichu -3.50%

Rayquaza -2.81%

Scyther -30.30%

Snorlax -15.97%

Vaporeon -3.67%

Venomoth 4.79%

Venusaur -4.18%

Victreebel -4.74%

Vileplume -1.03%

Wigglytuff -3.90%

Zapdos 1.20%

YU-GI-OH