PSA Magazine: September 2023 #021

Stash Cash Showcase

Editor's Note

The National Sports Card Convention is one to plan the year around, but the best moments have a way of materializing in real time: impromptu trades, surprising pickups, and chance encounters. At home, we tend to spend time collecting cards and memorabilia—but at the PSA booth over a span of five days, I found us collecting stories.

Take, for instance, a moment shared by two longtime ticket collectors who had previously connected online but had yet to meet in person. Incredibly, they found themselves next to each other at a PSA pickup window revealing their submissions in good company: one with a section #23 stub from Michael Jordan’s debut, the other with a ticket from the game Joe DiMaggio homered to claim the hitting-streak record.

And then there’s the pair of kid brothers who opened a box of newly-released Topps Chrome and struck gold with a Shohei Ohtani Superfractor 1 of 1. The family submitted the card on the spot and scored a Gem Mint PSA 10 grade before their flight home that night.

Stories like these further reinforce the value of on-site authentication and grading, and I’ve no doubt left many on the table. All convention long, collectors kept our operations busy with thousands of rare trading cards, tickets, and signed memorabilia. The NSCC is one of many PSA submission events throughout the year, and as we’ve seen, authentication and grading have the potential to become both a highlight and a footnote.

Overall, it was a joy to meet so many passionate hobbyists, and I want to thank all who stopped by the booth and trusted PSA with their most-prized collectibles.

Best,

Nat Turner CEO, Collectors

Wait a minute, Matthew Fuller thought. Didn’t we just see this?

And then PSA’s Head of Ticket Authentication had another thought: Uh-oh.

In the ticket authentication game, there are grails and there are grails. There’s a time and a place for a nondescript 1996 Detroit Pistons/ Vancouver Grizzlies stub, but how about those moments that echo in the collective consciousness for generations? The ones that are ubiquitous and universal? The ones that only require shorthand?

The Miracle on Ice. The Thrilla in Manilla. The Babe’s Called Shot.

When one of those historic tickets shows up for PSA authentication, it always sends a chill through Fuller—and today was no exception.

“We’ve got another Jackie debut coming in.”

The Slack message from Steve Stindt, General Manager of Tickets, Packs & PSA/DNA, had left Fuller slack-jawed.

Stindt was talking about a ticket from Ebbets Field in Brooklyn, New York, timestamped to April 15, 1947. On that chilly day, over 26,000 fans were in attendance as Jack Roosevelt Robinson broke baseball’s color barrier and became the civil rights icon that changed both baseball and the entire world.

An authentic ticket from that game is the holiest of holies. Fewer than a dozen are known to exist, and all are encased save this one—consigned and submitted by Heritage Auctions.

But another had just been sent in from Heritage a month earlier: a lower stand box seat, D84, graded a PSA 1.5.

And this one was a lower stand … box seat … D … 84 … ?

“How could that be?” Fuller said to himself, his antennae tingling.

But this is what he loves about a job detail that’s equal parts collector and detective. Matthew Fuller is a forensic sleuth masquerading as a ticket authenticator.

This ticket looked real, but two Jackie Robinson debut D84 tickets less than one month apart? When roughly a dozen were known to exist?

Something was afoot, so the detective rolled up his sleeves and clocked in with eight straight hours of research on day one. He phoned everyone in the space, pulled up old seating maps, and sifted through imagery.

He was on the hunt. He was in his element.

“I love it,” he said. “It’s my favorite part of the job. Outside of seeing things you never have the privilege to see, it’s about tracking down info and doing the research so the right call can be made.”

Familiar with Ebbets Field, Fuller was able to surface exemplary images of how seating worked at the time. Through the 1945 season, Ebbets listed only the box number on the ticket. Only from 1946-51 did lower stand box seat tickets feature both letter and number: D84, for example. Beginning in 1952, they specified seat numbers as well, at least until 1957 when the Dodgers broke the hearts of Brooklynites and moved to Los Angeles.

Fuller thought he was onto something.

He located a crystal clear seating map of Ebbets Field from an old Goldin sale in 2019 and identified the eight seat box about five rows off the field — an intimate setting further confirmed by Dodgers team historian Mark Langill. Fuller then analyzed the condition and identified enough differences to verify this was, in fact, a different ticket.

He got Heritage Auctions on the line for more origin story details: both tickets originally belonged to a good friend of Jackie’s wife, Rachel Robinson. After the original owner passed, the current owners consigned the pair with Heritage to be graded by PSA before going to auction.

“Even a side-by-side viewing tells a cool story. The original owner most likely attended Jackie’s debut with a guest, because when the tickets were handed to the usher, you can clearly see that they were stacked and torn together.”

In some ways, Fuller is a time traveler.

Each day, a ticket opens a portal and sends him sailing like Dr. Who onto one of sports most historic stages. After taking a look around, he tethers that moment to a ticket. He points out that for so many of the most exciting tickets in the hobby, collectibility was a matter of chance.

How could anyone watching the debuts of Ernie Banks or Roberto Clemente know what they were witnessing?

“Just think about that stub from Jackie’s first game— perhaps the most monumental game in history. Someone had that ticket tucked in a purse or pocket and watched history unfold. That’s incredible. That’s magical.”

Supercollector? Not exactly part of Walt Bettinger’s daily lexicon—but consider him modest. With over 21,000 collectibles accounted for in the PSA Set Registry, the Baltimore native has certainly curated his way into that conversation.

Step into his showcase where his Set Registry credentials speak to tenure within the community’s most illustrious leaderboards: 14x Best Set of the Year winner, 4x Hall of Fame Set winner, 2019’s Best Collection of the Year, and a Top 15 residency in terms of total items registered. The merits are off the charts.

Ask him to expand on his catalog of grails and Walt might shrug; instead, name-drop QB legend Johnny Unitas of the Baltimore Colts and prepare for a set-building masterclass. Baltimore is Walt’s area of expertise, and his collection doubles as a city record for the late 60s and 70s. He goes way back with the Orioles, of course, but chasing Johnny U in Baltimore blue is a labor of love that dates back to the summer of ‘69.

WAIT, JOHNNY WHO? TELL ‘EM, WALT!

C’mon! At that time, Johnny U was considered the greatest quarterback of all time. It’s hard to be any cooler than that! I was a big reader of sports books early on, and one of my favorites was about him. Pursuing his cards with that gorgeous blue jersey became top priority.

AND IT APPEARS THAT PURSUIT HAS AGED NICELY?

To this day I hold the Set Registry’s top spot in the Johnny Unitas Basic Set and Master Set in both All-Time and Current categories. One of the only years I don’t have the highest-rated Unitas card is his 1969 Topps with just a single PSA 10 in existence. If the owner ever becomes interested in selling, I’m buying.

THAT 1969 TOPPS CARD IS STUNNING. HOW SPECIAL IS IT TO YOU?

It was the first Johnny Unitas card I pulled from the first football set I bought as an 8-year old. The brightcolored backgrounds and statistics on the back appealed to me, and when your favorite player showed up in a pack purchased from the local dime store, you were on cloud nine.

ANY OTHER JOHNNY U STANDOUTS TO SHARE?

I enjoy all of my Unitas cards, but two favorites are my 1962 Topps PSA 8.5 and 1968 Topps PSA 10—both Pop 1, none higher. The double photo on the 1962 card is classic with that Baltimore Colts blue next to a B&W follow-through. And the 1968 card has such a clear image of Johnny U with the blue sky in the background.

BALTIMORE IS DEFINITELY A COMMON DENOMINATOR FOR YOUR PC. HOW FAR BACK DO YOU GO WITH THIS CITY?

In the summer of 1966 I was a five year-old living in Baltimore and just beginning to follow sports. I recall that someone asked me who my favorite baseball team was, and my answer was the Orioles. Realistically, I likely didn’t know any other teams and surely the Orioles were the talk of the town that summer on the way to a first World Series championship—but I’ve been an Orioles and Baltimore Colts fan ever since.

THOSE BALTIMORE COLTS INFAMOUSLY PACKED UP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT FOR INDIANAPOLIS IN 1984. HAS COLLECTING PROVIDED YOU A WAY TO KEEP THE SPIRIT OF THAT TEAM ALIVE?

It was a sad time on many levels, I have never been able to become an Indianapolis Colts or Baltimore Ravens fan for that matter. But I do believe my large collection of Baltimore Colts memorabilia keeps the legacy alive for me, from cards and trophies to helmets and even the Super Bowl V banner that was hanging in team office before the move.

HOW ‘BOUT THOSE ORIOLES SETS! WHICH ONES HAVE PLAYED HARDBALL IN TERMS OF COMPLETING?

They aren’t high-demand sets, but as a longtime Orioles fan, I’ve enjoyed building the 1954 and 1955 Baltimore Orioles Esskay Hot Dogs sets, as well as the 1957-59 Kiwanis Orioles Clinic set. I’m still missing several Esskay cards to get it fully complete and could use all the help I can get!

WHAT HAS BEEN MOST REWARDING OR SURPRISING ABOUT THIS COLLECTOR JOURNEY?

The most surprising thing, to me, has been the rate at which card values have exploded. Cards I bought a decade ago at prices that could be considered high at the time have exploded in value. I have never collected as an investment — to me, collecting is simply a hobby and a way to connect to my youth — but it turns out my card collection has become an outstanding investment. Even after selling a few hundred sets, I still have approximately 800 sets registered—and there is no better way for me to manage my collection, especially given its size, than the Set Registry.

HUMOR US: YOU CAN ONLY KEEP ONE ITEM FROM YOUR COLLECTION. WHAT’S IT GOING TO BE?

It’s my 1970 Brooks Robinson Gold Glove Trophy from the year he became a national superstar with his World Series performance against the Cincinnati Reds. For my 60th birthday, my wife surprised me with a private dinner with Brooks in Baltimore. He is the consummate gentleman, and I will never forget and always be grateful for those hours spent listening to his stories.

AUCTIONS

It began with the forging of the Great Ring Variations.

300 were numbered to the Elves, immortal, wisest and fairest of all beings. 700 to the Dwarf lords, great miners and craftsmen of the mountain halls. And 900 rings were serialized to the race of Men, who, above all else, desire collectibility.

But they were, all of them, out-paralleled, for another Variation was made.

In the land of Washington, in the suburbs of Seattle, the Wizards of the Coast forged, in secret, a master One-of-One to exceed all others. And into a Booster Box they inserted their magic, their gamesmanship and their will to dominate all hobby newsfeeds.

The One Ring to rule them all.

Keep it secret. Keep it safe.

There he was — him and a multitude of other 30-somethings around the world — sheltering in place, a young family to entertain, and time to pass. Time enough for this marketing professional to depressurize the grind, reach back, and throw water on a former hobby.

Time enough to reignite his collector’s gene— and begin chronicling the journey.

Everyone looks back on 2020 through a different lens, but it’s safe to say that certain silver linings are shared. For Brett McGrath and many like him, it was the moment that longstanding fandom and cardboard nostalgia merged to take on new meaning—so much so that he dug in and started the Stacking Slabs podcast to share the journey.

Himself a long-time Indianapolis Colts season ticket holder, this journey manifested under center with quarterbacks Peyton Manning and Andrew Luck. Ecstasy and agony. Yin and yang. The realization of star potential followed by dreams dashed with sudden retirement—and a QB carousel that Colts fans hope will stop spinning with the arrival of Anthony Richardson.

It’s hard to explain the impact Peyton Manning had on the city of Indianapolis.

Indy isn’t a four-sport town like nearby Chicago, but it has its charms: the milk-stained Indy 500, the headquarters of both the NCAA and the National Federation of State High School Associations, and a rabid basketball market propelled by the Pacers and some of the best high school hoops in the country. But then the Colts drafted Peyton Manning.

“I'll steal a quote from the great David Letterman: Peyton changed the skyline of the city of Indianapolis,” McGrath said. “Without Peyton, there would be no Lucas Oil Stadium. He is such an important figure, and not just in sports. He gave us all these moments. The way he sits in the hearts and minds of the people here is next level.”

It’s been a quarter century since the No. 1 pick in the 1998 NFL Draft led the league in interceptions, but Manning remains a hero. A year after his 3-13 rookie campaign, the Colts went 13-3; years later he’d etch his name into football lore with a 2006 Super Bowl win. He’d finish his Indianapolis career with 54,828 yards and 399 touchdowns before riding off into the twilight with the Denver Broncos.

His exit made way for the Luck era, one that began with incredible promise but ultimately ended in crushing disappointment. The No. 1 pick of the 2012 draft after a stellar Stanford career, Luck earned four Pro Bowl nods but battled injury issues throughout his career. He called it a career on the verge of the 2019 season and tilted the Colts into QB chaos.

Still, McGrath has an incredible fondness for Luck.

“What they both taught me is that greatness can be taken for granted when it’s right in front of your face,” McGrath said. “I think about this all the time, man. My admiration for Luck is very strong. People ask me about my PC all the time, and I have two. Peyton and Luck. I will always be a fan of the Colts, but having greatness at that position is pouring gasoline into the fire.”

In April, after four years of quarterback quagmire, the Colts finally fortified their future with the fourth pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, going all-in on fast-rising and fleet-footed Florida flinger Anthony Richardson. Despite starting just 13 games for the Gators with middling results, his measurables and remarkable NFL Draft Combine performance sent him soaring up draft boards. With a 4.43 40-yard dash, 40.5inch vertical leap and a 129-inch broad jump, Richardson cemented his status as the most athletic quarterback in combine history.

The combine, of course, was in Indianapolis, leaving Colts collectors clamoring from the very beginning.

And leaving McGrath in a pickle.

“The irrational part of being a fan is we’ve been waiting so long, and this QB looks very different in skill sets than Luck and Manning,” he said. “You have to be excited about him—he was the guy I wanted, mainly because of Shane Steichen and what he did with Jalen Hurts in Philadelphia. I like the swing-forthe-fences approach.

“But I’m also very conscious of what I’m spending on him. As a collector and a fan, it’s tough. Do I wait or put two feet into the fire?”

Stacking Slabs PC Showcase Manning + Luck Favorites

2000 Skybox Skylines Peyton Manning #8 Star Rubies PSA 6

McGrath: “The hobby got a little twisted during COVID-19 when it was PSA 10 or bust. They weren't always factoring rarity and scarcity. I'm holding this card in my hand. I know if I put these cards out, people would jump right on them. These aren't liquid cards. They are stashed and not coming out. The grade barely matters. To me, there's a charm about the imperfections in a card. Go show me a PMG in a PSA 10 slab. It doesn't happen.”

2014 Prizm Andrew Luck #129 Black Finite PSA 10

McGrath: “2014 is my favorite year of Prizm, and I’m not the only one who feels that way. I got a call from a buddy, ‘I just saw the Finite 1/1, raw,” and I said, ‘Please, just get me the dealer.’ I had it for about two seconds before I snapped it to PSA and it came back a PSA 10. It's such a gorgeous card. You never see 2014 Finites.”

2000 Skybox The Bomb

Peyton Manning #7

Star Rubies

PSA 7

McGrath: “I look at Manning stuff every day, and I’ve only seen one other copy—and my buddy has it."

2014 Flawless

Andrew Luck #5

Flawless Patches Emerald

PSA 10

McGrath: “Another gorgeous card, and one that I love to look at.”

2003 Topps Chrome Peyton Manning #45 Gold Xfractor PSA 9

McGrath: “If you can get into the Manning collector circle, anyone who calls themselves a collector has this card.”

2014 Panini Totally Certified Andrew Luck #40 Mirror Platinum Gold PSA 10

McGrath: "The 2014 Prizm set is my favorite year of Prizm, but 2014 Totally Certified is my favorite set overall. With similar etching as PMGs, it’s a beautiful card."

As of July, only a handful of Anthony Richardson cards have been graded, and high-grade rarities have commanded a pretty penny. Though McGrath has yet to splurge on any Richardson cardboard, other collectors have.

2022 Bowman University Anthony Richardson #65 Chrome Red Refractor Autograph PSA 10

It's not quite a color match, but it sure is striking. And speaking of striking it rich: The first Red Refractor autograph of Richardson's career — with 1/5 numbering, and in PSA 10 condition, no less — sold at auction for more than $3,000 in April.

2022 Bowman University Anthony Richardson #TBK6 Big Kahuna Superfractor PSA 8

The Big Kahuna insert set is a fun concept, but the combination of a beautiful background and Superfractor spirals surely make it one of Richardson’s most exciting XRCs. While college uniform cards typically don’t get much hobby love, this one truly stands out.

2022 Leaf Draft Anthony Richardson #BA-AR1 Metal – Black Wave PSA 10

Leaf has doubled down on the collegiate autograph market during the NIL era and the standard Leaf Draft remains one of their most popular products. While it can't quite capture the excitement of a Black Prizm 1/1, this Black Wave version of Richardson's rookie autograph still commands plenty of collector interest.

Fast Five

A BRIEF HANG WITH

TEAM MEMBER MOLLY FARICY

Photography by Nick Estrada

FIRST OFF, CONGRATS ON THE MOVE TO HQ. WHAT BRINGS YOU TO CALIFORNIA?

Thank you! I was previously working remote out of Dallas as a Project Manager on the Product Marketing Team. I am moving here to start my new role as Continuous Improvement Manager in Operations. I am beyond excited.

YOUR ROLE HERE SOUNDS NONSTOP! WHAT’S IT ALL ABOUT?

To continuously improve—it's in the name! All jokes aside, I’m here to set and support the operating standards at new and existing Collectors sites. Between offices in Southern California, New Jersey, and Japan to elaborate setups at major conventions like The National, there’s always somewhere to be.

HIT US STRAIGHT: HOW CAN WE IMPROVE PSA MAGAZINE ?

Let’s see some interviews with star soccer players from around the world! I spent the first 17 years of my life growing up in Sao Paulo, Brazil, and many of my fondest memories come from both playing and watching matches, so I might be a bit biased—but there’s always room for more soccer cards!

SPEAKING OF—WHERE’D THIS PELÉ CARD COME FROM?

It came from a Pelé signing in Guarujá, Brazil. I was supporting PSA/DNA as a cultural liaison and assisting the on-site authentication of an impressive collection of Pelé memorabilia. It was one of the best experiences of my life. Pelé would often pause with each item to share stories that varied from conversations with politicians to memories with teammates and the casual “how to be like The King” tip. His conditions worsened shortly after our second visit, and I believe the loss of our “Rei Pelé” was felt not just in Brazil, but across the world. It was truly such an honor and a privilege to have those moments with him. His spirit is eternalized with his mark on the sport, the country of Brazil, and all who witnessed his greatness.

BRAZIL TRIPS ASIDE, WHAT DO YOU ENJOY ABOUT COLLECTORS?

I love that our brand is built on integrity, excellence, and expertise. It is wonderful to come to work every day surrounded by the best talents in our industry. This kind of environment challenges me to continually be my best and generates thought-provoking conversations across so many forward-thinking teams. Collectors is an extremely innovative and engaging company. It’s really an exciting time to be trailblazing in this field.

The look of it. The lure of it. A rarity to stash or curate for show. Expeditions have sailed to new lands both real and rumored for it; shields have been splintered, and yes— many packs ripped.

Gold. It’s a constant, it’s a catalyst, and it won’t stay buried for long.

Especially in habitats as exotic as those teeming with Pokémon. Around here, leveling-up is a rite of passage initiated by experience points, evolution stones, and product releases that share the evolutionary spirit of its franchise creatures. Splendid artwork and foil patterns shine, but the continuous reimagining and reshaping of the Pokémon landscape is what has entrapped the most seasoned of collectors since day one.

From 1999 Base Set origins, the TCG has perpetually widened the rangefinder with Full Arts, Reverse Foils, and new card textures aplenty. Through it all, one malleable element has been consistently mined and printed into Pokémon TCG brilliance.

And when discovered, it’s always worth a shout: gold!

The word first rang out in English in 1999 with the debut of limited-edition 23-karat gold plated cards released by Burger King to promote the release of Pokémon: The First Movie. Packaged in Poké Balls, these cards had 90s kids everywhere believing they’d be millionaires one day. While the cards didn’t quite evolve into golden geese, they did foreshadow Pokémon’s embrace of the gold aesthetic for countless releases to come.

Whether the pursuit is driven by eye-appeal, rarity or pure luxury, this TCG world is vast enough for all to claim— budget collectors included. Going for gold needs not break the bank. Dig beneath the surface and uncover the many glimmering gold treasures of this El Dorado from the East.

Gold Rares (2013-Present)

“Gold Rare” typically refers to Secret Rares that have been given a gold treatment, as seen on the Zekrom and Reshiram cards from 2013’s Black & White Legendary Treasures set. These two Full Arts represent an early design featuring a seldom-seen embossed texture dominated by bold, brilliant gold. Details were refined as time passed: 2019’s Tapu Bulu, Tapu Fini, Tapu Koko, and Tapu Lele (discoverable in Hidden Fates Shiny Vault) still implemented that gold texture effect, but allowed for more splashes of color. The Sun & Moon era also introduced Full Art Gold Rares for Energy, Item, and Stadium cards, with added sparkles that made cards without creatures look especially brilliant.

In the subsequent Sword & Shield era, Gold Rares fully embraced the rising popularity of Shiny Pokémon. From Rebel Clash onward, nearly every mainline release issued a handful of Gold Rare Shiny Pokémon as part of their checklist. As a result, notable cards like Chilling Reign’s Full Art Snorlax and Celebrations' Full Art Mew emerged, each making a significant impact in both PSA population numbers and secondary market values. An alternate take on the Gold Rare design can be found on cards such as the Lost Origin Pikachu VMAX #TG29 where the card background is changed to black with the Pokémon’s body punctuated with a pop of textured gold foil.

Even with the TCG in its Scarlet & Violet era, Gold Rares still shine. The newest stars of Generation 9 — Koraidon, Miraidon, Meowscarada, and others — have already graced their very first Gold Rare cards in the Scarlet & Violet base set and Paldea Evolved sets. While many Gold Rares don’t necessarily dominate the secondary market, they can serve as attainable entry points for modern Pokémon collecting.

2021 Celebrations

Ultra-Premium Collection

Aptly named, the franchise’s most celebrated cards were reprinted in glorious ways that brought vintage collectors back into the fold while satisfying the sensibilities of hobby newcomers. At this point, Pokémon had released a handful of prior premium collections — each with their own exclusive promo inserts — but with Celebrations being such a tentpole release in 2021, Pokémon outdid themselves with promo card offerings. The timeless Base Set Charizard and Pikachu cards were reprinted as metal cards with a stunning, textured gold surface.

Longtime collectors can’t help but draw parallels to the gold Burger King cards of 1999, which just goes to show that gold never goes out of style. With PSA 10 populations still relatively low, the cards have maintained solid secondary market values in high grades.

Shining Magikarp (2001-2021)

Anything but a flop, Shiny Magikarp first landed in the TCG as part of the Japanese Neo 3 set in 2000, and was later reprinted in Neo Revelation for North American collectors. Both versions of this card have been celebrated as iconic must-haves, seeing sales of several thousand dollars in high PSA grades. As valuable as these printings are, if the collecting world has taught us anything, it’s that there’s always a bigger fish.

A separate version of the card was printed exclusively in Japan and distributed as a promo card through the Pokémon Card Fan Club. Members could acquire the card by logging a total of 600 “GET” participation points. Unlike the Neo series printings, which have the standard cosmos holofoil pattern and a non-foil Magikarp in the foreground, this version features an embossed foil treatment over Magikarp’s body. The small tweak makes all the difference in making Magikarp’s scales jump off the card. Given its exclusive nature, this version has become a grail, and those lucky enough to reel it in as a PSA 10 have seen secondary market sales breaching the $10,000 threshold.

A subsequent printing included in the 2021 Celebrations Classic Collection used the same artwork as previous issues but with a glittery foil redesign. This version allowed collectors to revel in early 2000s nostalgia without the hefty price tag. With a total PSA population of over 3,500, Shining Magikarp proves to have a lasting impact in the collecting space for collectors both new and old.

2016 Japanese 20th Anniversary

Ginza Tanaka Promo

To celebrate the franchise’s 20th anniversary, Japanese jewelry company Ginza Tanaka partnered with Pokémon to produce a 24k gold reprint of the Pikachu card from Base Set. This luxury collectible was originally sold for roughly $2,000 and arrived sealed in a sleek glass display case. One detail to note is the “11g” descriptor on the lower left corner of the card below Mitsuhiro Arita’s artist credit, indicating that the card contains 11 grams of gold.

Those that have submitted this card to PSA represent some of the most dedicated slab collectors, because in order to extract the card, it requires the collector to disassemble its luxurious case. Some insist on keeping the card sealed, but one submission has certainly seen a significant return. In 2021, a PSA 5 copy sold for $29,520 on Goldin. A sale in a high grade leaves much to the imagination.

ATTN PSA SET REGISTRY

MEMBERS: Go for Set Registry gold in the Pokémon Gold Secret Rares set.

GOLD STARS (2004-2021)

The EX-series Gold Star cards are a spiritual successor to the Neo series Shining subset that came before. Two key commonalities to note: a focus on hyper-popular Shiny Pokémon and a reputation for being notoriously difficult to pull. Gold Stars first appeared in the 2004 EX Team Rocket Returns set and are easily identified by the gold foil star found next to each Pokémon’s name. They were also among the first to flirt with artwork expanding outside the traditional borders—a sign of things to come in the Full Art era. The artistic mastermind behind this series is Masakazu Fukuda, who took the lead on producing illustrations for all 27 subjects between 2004 and 2007, as well as the one-off throwback Greninja Gold Star promo for 2021 Celebrations. Fukuda’s artwork is celebrated for featuring some of the most dramatic renderings of Pokémon ever seen.

Gold Stars undoubtedly represent the apex of gold-themed Pokémon cards and count towards many of the TCG’s highest all-time sales. A PSA 10 copy of Torchic Gold Star from EX Team Rocket Returns has fetched over $40,000, for example, but the reigning Gold Star king is arguably Charizard from EX Dragon Frontiers, whose PSA 10 copy sold for a staggering $60,000 in 2020. It takes serious commitment and resources to pursue a Gold Star master set, but the few that manage to accomplish this feat are destined to see their collections shine the brightest in the hobby.

1967 Topps Mickey Mantle #150

2014 Bowman

2018 Topps

2019 Bowman Wander Franco #WF Chrome Prospect Autographs

1976 Topps Dennis Eckersley #98

1983 Topps Ryne Sandberg #83

2011 Topps Update

2018 Topps

2018 Bowman Chrome Shohei Ohtani #1 Batting

2018 Topps

1973 Topps Mike Schmidt, Ron Cey, & John Hilton #615 Rookie

1987 Leaf Greg Maddux

1986

2015

1986

1986

2020 Donruss

2020 Optic

2000 Upper Deck

2020 Prizm

2000 Skybox

1976 Topps

2020

2020 Prizm

1998 Topps

1988 Topps

On June 28, 2023, one of the great mysteries of the world was finally revealed: the height of #1 overall pick and generational talent Victor Wembanyama. Though press outlets had him anywhere between 7’2” and 7’5”, the Spurs declared Wembanyama’s official height to be 7 feet, 3 ½ inches tall, barefoot, making him the second-tallest player currently in the NBA, just millimeters shorter than fan favorite Boban Marjanovic of the Houston Rockets.

As many collectors undoubtedly save up to chase Wemby’s most sought-after cards in 2023, here’s a head-in-the-clouds thought: what if a collection revolved around players occupying the same rarified air as Victor? Not just first overall picks, flying Frenchmen, or even Spurs greats. All worthy pursuits for another day, because to ride this ride, players must be at least 7’3 1/2” or taller.

So with all due respect to Kareem, Shaq, Wilt, Dikembe, and three-time NBA champ Luc Longley, please set all search instruments to cruising altitude for…

PSA’s All-Time, All-Height Team

RIK SMITS 7’4”

TALL TALE

The Pacers took “The Dunkin’ Dutchman” with the #2 pick in the 1988 NBA Draft, and the former Marist Fox would cement his place in Pacers history with a fantastic 12-year career— all with Indiana. He ranks second in franchise history in games, minutes, points, and field goals, and was named to the NBA All-Star Team in 1998. He also helped Netherlands to their only FIBA World Cup appearance in 1986.

MUST OWN 1989 FLEER #68

The Fleer issues from the mid-to-late 80s are some of the most soughtafter cards of the decade, and just 44 copies of Smits’ 1989 Fleer rookie have been given the PSA 10 distinction.

YAO MING 7’6”

TALL TALE

Few players have entered the NBA with more hype and intrigue than Yao Ming. The firstoverall pick by the Houston Rockets in 2002, Yao’s Hall of Fame career only tells part of the tale. Because of Yao, the NBA’s popularity in China exploded, with hundreds of millions of Chinese fans tuning in to Yao’s games. The 8x NBA All-Star repped his home country in three Olympics (2000, 2004, 2008) and his #11 jersey was retired by the Rockets in 2017. Now the owner of his former club in China, the Shanghai Sharks, and a Napa Valley vineyard, Yao remains on top of the world.

MUST OWN 2004 FINEST #FEF-YM FAR EAST FABRICS

With so many great rookie cards to choose from, why not dream big? Limited to just 100 serial-numbered copies, this card features a gameworn jersey patch from the Rockets’ preseason game held in Shanghai. Just one copy has traveled through the PSA grading room.

SHAWN BRADLEY 7’6”

TALL TALE

Drafted with the #2 pick overall in 1993 by the 76ers, Bradley had a wonderful 12-year career, mostly with the Dallas Mavericks. The former Utah Mr. Basketball and McDonald’s AllAmerican led the nation in blocks in his lone college season and became the first player in NBA history with a 2020-10 box score off the bench. He also helped Michael Jordan save the day in the 1996 classic Space Jam

MUST OWN 1993 FINEST REFRACTOR #220

One of the first uses of refractive technology in sports cards, Bradley’s 1993 Finest Refractor is a tough find in PSA 10, with just nine copies earning the grade.

MANUTE BOL 7’7”

TALL TALE

Manute was a second-round pick who spent the bulk of his career with Washington. Bol was a defensive force, blocking eight shots in a quarter (twice) and 11 in one half en route to over 2,000 career blocks. He remains the NBA’s all-time leader in blocks per 48 minutes while accruing more blocks (2,086) than points (1,599) in his career. He was also a noted civil rights leader and active in humanitarian efforts in support of various causes in his home country of Sudan.

MUST OWN 1986 FLEER #12

His rookie card happens to land in one of the most iconic sets of all time — 1986 Fleer — and just 110 of 2,500+ PSA-graded copies have achieved Gem Mint status.

RALPH SAMPSON 7’4”

TALL TALE

40 years before Wembanyama-Rama, there was Ralph Sampson. The 7’4” phenom from Virginia joined Bill Walton as the only other three-time Naismith College Player of the Year en route to being selected with the #1 overall pick in the 1983 NBA Draft. Though he didn’t quite live up to the hype, he was the Rookie of the Year, a four-time NBA All-Star, and the MVP of the 1985 All-Star Game. Sampson was elected to both the National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame (2011) and Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame (2012).

MUST OWN 1984 STAR SLAM DUNK CHAMPIONSHIP #8

Some cards just have it all: an epic action shot, slam dunk mojo, and as of this writing, POP 1 in PSA 10 condition.

MARK EATON 7’4”

TALL TALE

A fourth round pick by the Utah Jazz in 1982, Eaton went on to become one of the greatest defensive centers in NBA history. Twice voted the NBA’s Defensive Player of the Year, only Kareem Abdul-Jabbar had registered more career blocks than Eaton’s 3,064 at the time of his retirement. An All-Star in 1989, Eaton holds the single-season NBA record with 456 blocks, and his #53 was retired by the Jazz in 1996.

MUST OWN 1986 FLEER #28

It’s back to the classic red-bordered look of 1986 Fleer for Eaton. Less than 10% of nearly 2,300 copies graded by PSA have come out a 10 (202 copies).

KAREEM ABDUL-JABBAR (LEW ALCINDOR)

7’2”

MUST OWN

1969 TOPPS RULERS #10

Kareem might be an inch short of the height requirement here, but an All-Height roster doesn’t fly without skyhook representation—and the very embodiment of the perfect card for the showcase.

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.

1969 - 2001

Powered

2003 - 2013

Buyer's Guide

1986 Fleer Michael Jordan Rookie #57 PSA Gem Mint 10

1952 Topps Mickey Mantle #311

1952 Topps Willie Mays #261

1948 Leaf Jackie Robinson Rookie #79

Buyer's Guide

Welcome back to the PSA Buyer’s Guide, a cataloginspired supplement to PSA Magazine. This print destination showcases a diverse assortment of trading cards and other sought-after collectibles from several PSA partners.

We hope you'll enjoy this catalog and find some special items to add to your collecting pursuits.

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$234,000 – 1913-1914 John McGraw World Tour Game-Used Uniform, $612,000 – 19861987 Fleer Basketball #57 Michael Jordan

$522,000 – 1910 E93

$343,650 – Extraordinary Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig Signed Baseball, $288,000 – 1958 Topps Football #62 Jim Brown Rookie, $156,000 – 1979-1980 O-Pee-Chee Hockey #18 Wayne Gretzky Rookie

Buyer's Guide COVER STAR Selection

1932 U.S. Caramel Babe Ruth #32

PSA 8

Estimate: $200,000+ Summer 2023 Auction MemoryLaneInc.com

8.19.23 - 9.9.23

The “Sultan of Swat” has countless incredible cards, but this one is truly extraordinary. This 1932 U.S. Caramel Babe Ruth #32 graded a PSA 8 is ready for bids in Memory Lane’s Summer 2023 Auction. With only two graded higher, this card is a welcome highlight for any collection—another PSA 8 fetched $210,000 this spring. It’s a remarkable example from the East Boston Caramel Co.’s landmark multi-sports set in 1932, with the Great Bambino landing the final spot on the prestigious checklist. While many collected the more abundant 1933 Goudey, savvy collectors pursued the finest surviving examples of the 1932 U.S. Caramel. It was the only mainstream Babe Ruth card issued during the 1932 championship season, making this masterpiece almost as iconic as the Babe’s “Called Shot” homer.

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar #1

PSA 10

Summer 2023 Auction

8.19.23 - 9.9.23

Minimum Bid: $20,000

MemoryLaneInc.com

Patrick Mahomes II #161

Rookie Patch Autograph /99

PSA 10/AUTH 10 Goldin 100 Part 2 Auction

8.4.23 - 9.13.23

Starting Bid: $25,000 Goldin.co

1982

Cal Ripken Jr. #21

PSA 10

September Encore Auction

9.7.23 - 9.17.23

Minimum Bid: $10

RobertEdwardAuctions.com

Bobby Orr

Game-Used Road Jersey

Photomatched

Late Summer 2023 Auction

8.23.23 - 9.9.23

Estimate: $300,000+

MileHighCardCo.com

#443 PSA 10

Alexander

Pokémon Red Version

WATA 9.2/A++ Sealed

[Sandshrew, Early Production]

September Encore Auction

9.7.23 - 9.17.23

Minimum Bid: $10

RobertEdwardAuctions.com

Nintendo 8 to 64-Bit Video Games

Showcase Auction #44209

7.27.23 - 8.24.23

HA.com/videogames

1986 Fleer Sticker

1998 Game Boy Nintendo USA

2017 Panini National Treasures

Topps

1971 Boston Bruins

2005 Upper Deck

Ovechkin

Joe Burrow #PB1

Prizm Black – Gold Vinyl Auto.

PSA 10/AUTO 10

Price: $30,000

eBay: pc_sportscards

Mickey Mantle #10 PSA 8

1909-11 T206 Sweet Caporal 150/25

Honus Wagner

PSA AUTH (Restored)

September Encore Auction

9.7.23 - 9.17.23

Minimum Bid: $10 RobertEdwardAuctions.com

Late Summer 2023 Auction

8.23.23 - 9.9.23

Estimate: $1,800,000+ MileHighCardCo.com

Mickey Mantle #578

All Star

PSA 10

Summer 2023 Auction

8.19.23 - 9.9.23

Minimum Bid: $10,000

MemoryLaneInc.com

Mickey

PSA 8

Goldin 100 Part 2 Auction

8.4.23 - 9.13.23

Starting Bid: $250,000 Goldin.co

Trevor Lawrence #101

Ticket

PSA 10/AUTO 10

Price: $11,500

eBay: pc_sportscards

2020 Chronicles

1959 Topps

1961 Topps

1952 Topps

Mantle #311

2021 Panini Contenders

Game-Used Bat

Robin Yount 3,000th Hit Signed and Inscribed 3,000th Hit Bat

PSA GU 10

Summer 2023 Auction

8.19.23 - 9.9.23

Minimum Bid: $45,000

MemoryLaneInc.com

6

Price: $4,750

eBay: pc_sportscards

Chrono Cross

WATA Certified Prototype

2023 Sept. 7 The Harvey Collection

Video Games Showcase Auction

#44210 Aug. 24 Nintendo 8 to 64-Bit

Video Games Showcase Auction

8.10.23 - 9.7.23

HA.com/videogames

PSA 10

PSA 2

Fall Sports Card Catalog Auction

9.29.23 - 9.30.23

Estimate: $150,000+

HA.com/sports

Late Summer 2023 Auction

8.23.23 - 9.9.23

Estimate: $30,000+

MileHighCardCo.com

Price: $2,500

eBay: pc_sportscards

2000 PS1 SquareSoft USA

1965 Topps N.L. Rookie Stars Tony Perez #581 PSA 10

1954 Bowman Mickey Mantle #65 PSA

1986 Fleer

Michael Jordan #57

1986 Fleer

Michael Jordan #57

PSA 10

September Encore Auction

9.7.23 - 9.17.23

Minimum Bid: $10 RobertEdwardAuctions.com

Late Summer 2023 Auction

8.23.23 - 9.9.23

Minimum Bid: $125,000+ MileHighCardCo.com

Summer 2023 Auction

8.19.23 - 9.9.23

Minimum Bid: $20,000 MemoryLaneInc.com

Topps 40

PSA 10

Price: $450

eBay: pc_sportscards

4

Fall Sports Card Catalog Auction

9.29.23 - 9.30.23

Estimate: $15,000+ HA.com/sports

Price: $500

eBay: pc_sportscards

1915 Cracker Jack "Shoeless Joe" Jackson #103 PSA 5

2013 Topps Chrome Manny Machado #12 Red Refractor /25

1963 Topps Rookie Stars Pete Rose #537 PSA 9

1997 Topps Chrome Michael Jordan #T5

1948 Leaf Jackie Robinson #79 PSA

2016 Bowman Draft Chrome Bo Bichette #BDC74 PSA 10

1925 Universal Toy & Novelty (W-504) #123 G. H. “Babe” Ruth NY Yankees Hand Cut PSA 6 EX-MT

1950 Bowman #22 Jackie Robinson PSA 8 NM-MT

1952 Bowman #196 Stan Musial PSA 9 MINT

1952 Berk Ross Jackie Robinson PSA 8 NMMT

1963 Topps Rookie Stars #537 Pete Rose PSA 9 MINT

1963 Topps Rookie Stars #537 Pete Rose PSA 9 MINT

1965 Topps #581 N.L. Rookie Stars Tony Perez PSA 10 GEM MINT

1965 Topps #207 Pete Rose PSA 9 MINT

1968 Topps #230 Pete Rose PSA 10 GEM MINT

1961 Fleer #8 Wilt Chamberlain PSA 8 NM-MT

1957 Topps #138 John Unitas PSA 8 NM-MT

1959 Topps #1 Johnny Unitas PSA 9 MINT 1976 Topps #220 Jack Lambert PSA 10 GEM MINT

1986 Fleer #57 Michael Jordan PSA 9 MINT

1954 Topps #201 Al Kaline PSA 8 NM-MT

Schedule 2023 Auction Schedule 2023

August 17

Closing: Sirius Sports Auctions

SiriusSportsAuctions.com

August 18

Opening: Goldin Summer Comics, Video Games & TCG Elite Goldin.co

August 19

Opening: Memory Lane Summer Rarities Auctions

MemoryLaneInc.com

August 19-20

Closing: Summer Platinum Night Sports Auction HA.com/sports

August 23

Opening: Mile High Card Company Summer Auction MileHighCardCo.com

August 30

Closing: Goldin August Elite Sport Auction Goldin.co

August 31

Closing: Sirius Sports Auctions

SiriusSportsAuctions.com

September 6

Opening: Goldin Summer Comics, Video Games & TCG Elite Goldin.co

September 7

Opening: REA Encore Auction

RobertEdwardAuctions.com

September 9

Closing: Memory Lane Summer Rarities Auctions

MemoryLaneInc.com

Closing: Mile High Card Company Summer Auction

MileHighCardCo.com

September 13

Closing: Goldin 100 Part 2 Goldin.co

September 14

Closing: Sirius Sports Auctions

SiriusSportsAuctions.com

September 17

Closing: REA Encore Auction

RobertEdwardAuctions.com

September 28

Closing: Sirius Sports Auctions

SiriusSportsAuctions.com

September 29-30

Closing: Fall Sports Card Catalog Auction HA.com/sports

October 12

Opening: REA Encore Auction

RobertEdwardAuctions.com

Closing: Sirius Sports Auctions

SiriusSportsAuctions.com

October 22

Closing: REA Encore Auction

RobertEdwardAuctions.com

October 26

Closing: Sirius Sports Auctions

SiriusSportsAuctions.com

November 9

Closing: Sirius Sports Auctions

SiriusSportsAuctions.com

November 17

Opening: REA Fall Catalog Auction

RobertEdwardAuctions.com

November 23

Closing: Sirius Sports Auctions

SiriusSportsAuctions.com

December 3

Closing: REA Fall Catalog Auction

RobertEdwardAuctions.com

2023 Show Schedule

2023 Show Schedule

Supply

Chest Supply Chest Supply

Perfect Fit Sleeves for PSA-Graded Cards

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Hero Diamond Shell for PSA-Graded Cards

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HERO Diamond Shell

Use code “SHELLZ_PSA” to receive $10 off your first order of $50 or more.

GradedGuard and Phantom Display

GradedGuard.us/collections/acrylic-cases info@gradedguard.us

Phantom Display: $45

Easy Pull, Tabbed Card Sleeves

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100 Count Pack, 100 Packs/Case: $102.50

the triple play

Recent snags on

By Caitlin Corsetti

01

2011 Upper Deck MLS

Alex Morgan #198

PSA AUTH / AUTO 10

SOLD: 07.20.23

This rookie card hails from 2011 when she was the number one overall draft pick for the now-defunct Women’s Professional Soccer league. And yet, she persisted. Appearing in her fourth FIFA World Cup this year, Alex Morgan sits in the top 10 in USWNT history in goals, assists, and multi-goal games.

02

2017 Topps Heritage

Mike Trout #MT

Real One Auto — Red Ink

PSA 10

SOLD: 07.20.23

PRICE: $1,230

PRICE: $571 03

2021 Donruss Optic

Joe Burrow #DT10

Downtown

PSA 10

SOLD: 07.20.23

PRICE: $1,680

Future Hall of Famer and three-time American League MVP Mike Trout racks up stats in his sleep. A crisp red signature is the highlight of this /25 card.

Joe Burrow made waves in the 2020 NFL Draft as the first overall pick for the Cincinnati Bengals. After a season-ending injury, his sophomore season was one for the books as he led the Bengals to their first Super Bowl in over 30 years. From an LSU Tiger to a Bengal, this card has the stripes of a legend.

CREDITS

Peyton Manning Cover PETER J. TAYLOR / STRINGER, GETTY IMAGES Anthony Richardson Cover ASSOCIATED PRESS A Tale of Twin Tickets ASSOCIATED PRESS Unitas University ASSOCIATED PRESS QB Corral ASSOCIATED PRESS ASSOCIATED PRESS

Copyright 2023 by Collectors Holdings, Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction of any kind without the written permission of the publisher is prohibited. PSA Magazine is published monthly and nothing contained herein is a solicitation to buy or sell the listed cards by the publisher, editor, or staff.

Advertisements, articles and the price guide section of this magazine may occasionally contain inadvertent typographical errors, and market values that fluctuate. The publisher is not responsible for actions taken by any person as a result of such errors.

Cover Variants

Peyton Manning (Base)

Anthony Richardson (Variant #/250)