Jerry Rice Card Collecting
Frequently Asked Question (FAQ)

If Jerry Rice Oddball and Promo cards are so hard to find, why don't they book for more in the Annual Beckett?
The reality is that Beckett Annual is not a very good indication of what oddball cards are worth but more a reference for what oddball cards exist. Regular cards, the ones in Beckett Monthly, are often sold for 50% of hi-book but these are exchanged on a regular basis. Oddball and Promo cards, particularly ones older than a year, are rarely exchanged and are typically in $1.00 and $5.00 boxes because most dealers don't want to fool with the oddball items. However when you actively pursue an oddball card dealer you will find the prices for oddball items at 2x to 4x the Beckett Annual price. At a minimum oddballs are sold at Beckett Annual hi-book. You are left with two options, wait until you randomly find the oddballs in $1.00-$5.00 boxes or contact an oddball card dealer and pick up a bunch of the oddball items you need at one time but at a premium according to Beckett Annual. As for me I am willing to pay at least $5.00 for any Rice oddball card that I need regardless of what Beckett Annual says. Thus you will find that most all the Oddballs cards I have for sale are also at least $5.00. The harder it was for me to find certain items, the more I have them listed at.
Answer supplied by David Lowe


What are Jerry Rice misprinted cards worth?
First off understand that a misprint card is not the same as an error card. An error card is a card that is mass produced by the card company in error and may or may not be corrected before all the cards are produced. A misprint card is a card that is produced by the card company incorrectly but as few as one card may exist. These show up fairly often in (5) flavors:
1) Regular cards that are missing the foil stamping
2) Blank front or back cards (sometimes called proofs)
3) Cards that have Rice on one side and the wrong player on the other
4) 1990 cards with Baseball players on the front but the back is Rice
5) Cards that are suppose to be diecut but are not. In general these cards will sell for $15-$25 depending on what the regular card would be worth and how unusual the misprint is.
Answer supplied by David Lowe


What advice do you have for a new collector?
Sometimes the best advice may seem like the most obvious. Here are a few pointers for the newcomer, and a few good reminders for the veterans out there. Develop a relationship with a good dealer. Let him know what you like, and he'll become the point man for your collection. But don't be afraid to shop around. Keep an up-to-date want list, and carry it with you whenever possible. You never know when opportunity will strike. Take good care of your cards. And don't be afraid to spend a few extra bucks to properly protect, and when appropriate, display them. And on the subject of spending, try to stick to a budget. Although there's always room for an exception when a particularly great buy presents itself, it's important not to overspend. Above and beyond all else, find out what you like to collect and stick to it. Don't worry about up and down arrows, or buying what your friends buy. It's YOUR hobby -- have fun with it.
Answer supplied by Beckett Online


How can you tell the difference between a regular Finest card and a Refractor?
Most people can spot Refractors immediately, but others have a lot of difficulty distinguishing them from regular Finest cards. The best way to tell the difference is to carefully study the fronts. The Refractors are much shinier, and have a sort of rainbow-type depth to them. Using strong light and comparing a regular card to a refractor side-by-side often helps.
Answer supplied by David Lowe


Should I peel the protective coating off my Finest Refractors? If I do, will my cards still be considered Mint? Will the value decrease?
There is no easy answer to that question. Past history shows that card issues featuring similar "gimmicks" have retained a higher value and are only considered Mint in their original condition. Currently, most dealers selling any type of Finest products that feature a plastic protective coating are not peeling off the coating, but this is understandable considering that once the peeling is off, it cannot be replaced. True collectors who intend to add their Finest cards to their permanent collections shouldn't worry about devaluing them by peeling. I myself have one of each in my collection as they look much better peeled. If you think you may eventually resell them, leave the peel on. A complicating factor is the long term stability of the plastic film. Who can say with certainty what the coating will do in five or 10 or 20 years, particular if exposed to humidity or temperature extremes? It could simply fall off the card, it could bond itself to the surface, it could disintegrate, it could break down chemically and damage the card, or it could remain the same. I should note that 1994 Finest Refractors did not have a peel off coating.
Answer supplied by David Lowe


How can I tell the difference between the regular Panini stickers and the UK Panini stickers?
The backs of the UK version Panini stickers look different but the fronts are the same. The distinguishing feature is the ink color. All US Panini stickers have black ink on the back. The 1989 UK Panini stickers have blue ink on the back while the 1990 UK Panini stickers have red ink on the back. There are no other ink colors variations than these.
Answer supplied by David Lowe







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