Outline · [ Standard ] · Linear+ Newbie help, Starting Collecing advice

[TouchdownUK]

Hi Everyone, I'm not too sure how many UK based embers you have on here, however, I'm just starting to look at collecting NFL Trading cards as well as selling them from my website.

I think the American Sports Trading Cards bug is yet to hit the UK in the same way as it has over there, but I'm looking to help it along a little in the upcoming months if things look good.

I do have a few questions though and maybe you could at least give me your opinion on them.

Is there such a thing anywhere as a basic guide to collecting Sports Trading cards, specifically NFL related as there are so many brands and types out there that I'm not sure where to start.

I suppose the easiest way of putting would be, which Brands / Types are the most popular? Which ones do most people actually collect? That would be a good start.

Also, the terminology is something I need to get explained... Base cards, Hit Cards, Parallel cards, etc, is there anywhere that explains that type of thing.

Also, how do you know when you pull a great card (as in rarity and thus value) Is it purely based on the numbers e.g. 1/10 being more rare and thus valuable then 1/50 etc. Or is it a combination of other things like how successful the player was etc?

That'll do for now, that would be a great start.

Thanks
Matt in the UK

[northicehero99]

Matt welcome to TCC. Not sure if there is a guide anywhere. Not sure there is a guide on terminology.
Base - this depends on the set, but it is usually the most common cards widely available, most will have a "set" number starting with #1 and running through how many cards are in the set (100, 200, etc.).
Hits - can be anything, numbered cards, different colored parallels, autos, game used, it all depends on the set what is within the product.
Parallels - they are usually copies of the base cards with some variation, like numbered to 25, 100, etc. or various background colors like green, red, purple. Sometimes it can be both colored and numbered. Other parallels include variant photos with a football or without, etc.
SP or shortprint - generally not numbered, but not as common as base. In some of the Upper Deck football products they put the rookie cards as SPs and they ran around 6 per 24 pack box, so they were SPs, but not numbered. Sometimes they are numbered.
I am sure there are others, just post and someone can help you understand them.
A Beckett guide might have these terms or it may even be available on their website.

As for pulling a great card it can depend on many factors usually it is rarity and sometimes it is player driven or an SP. Hot rookies are usually more valuable than commons, Superstars are more valuable than common players. Great Cards depend on what product you are opening it could be a short printed auto, patch, or rookie card it just depends on the product. Usually you can tell if they are selling for big $ on ebay.
Hope that helps, and good luck with your collecting.

[aceecards]

manufacturers/brands

Well sir you have come in at the wrong time for diverse selection of manufacturers.

starting with 2016 products, only Panini has the NFL license.

Upper Deck had a license thru 1991 - 2009 then had some collegiate issues for a few years after that

Topps thru 1955 - 2015



Then you have brands

panini will probably have close to 20 different offerings this year

i think already that prestige and Elite have come out , maybe even some others.

They will range from 65 - a couple thousand for something like flawless.

Usually a website distributor in the states like blowutcards.com will provide a sell sheet describing the contents of a box (how many autos, gu, rookies, parallels and such and the price plus shipping!

[aceecards]

btw Matt, my son in law is a brit living in the colonies now . he says that folks across the pond like movie and entertainment cards more than anything and he has dabbled with the new doctor who releases from topps most recently!

So welcome aboard , just jump in and wade thru it.

pick a player or a team you like and buy a box that might best suit you getting hits from that player /team!