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Barry Bonds trading cards are a highly sought-after collectible item. They can be found in a variety of card sets, including the popular Topps and Upper Deck brands.
One of the most valuable Barry Bonds cards is the 1987 Topps Traded #98T, which can sell for over $100,000. This card is rare because it was only printed in small quantities.
Bonds' career statistics and achievements are well-documented, and his trading cards often reflect his impressive résumé. He holds the record for most career home runs, with 762.
Barry Bonds Trading Cards
Barry Bonds' trading cards are highly sought after by collectors due to his impressive career achievements. He is the all-time career home run king with 762 home runs and single-season home run king with 73 home runs.
Bonds' cards from the 1986 Topps Traded set are particularly valuable, especially the Tiffany version. The Tiffany version of 1986 Topps Traded #11T can be worth up to $10,000 in top condition, thanks to its higher-quality stock and lower print run.
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One way to identify the Tiffany version is by looking at the reverse side, which lacks the two stars/asterisks in the lower-left corner that appear on the standard Topps Traded reverse.
The 1986 Topps Traded Tiffany #11T card shows a portrait photo of Bonds with his bat slung over his shoulder, framed in white borders with a huge Pirates banner in gold at the top.
Bonds' other notable cards include the 1986 Donruss The Rookies #11, which features a close-up portrait shot of him facing the camera with a determined look on his face. This card is bordered in dark teal and black striping, and features "The Rookies" at the lower left.
Here are some price trends for the 1986 Donruss The Rookies #11 card:
- Ungraded: Average price $14, top price $1,363
- Graded: Average price $57, top price $567
- SportsCardsPro: Ungraded $6.50, Grade 7 $7, Grade 8 $12, Grade 9 $23, Grade 9.5 $80, Gem Mint $133
Bonds' impressive career statistics include 7x MVP, 14x All-Star, 8x Gold Glove, 12x Silver Slugger, and 2x NL Batting Champ.
Card Values
Barry Bonds' cards are highly valued, with some selling for extremely high prices. The 1986 Topps Traded Tiffany #11T card is a prime example, with a price tag of $13,000.
Ungraded versions of this card are available for around $400-$500, depending on the source. However, graded versions can fetch much higher prices, with some selling for over $1,800.
The Tiffany version of this card is particularly rare, with an estimated print run of just 5,000 copies. This scarcity contributes to its high value.
In terms of grades, the card's value increases significantly, with a Grade 9.5 version selling for $1,850 and a Gem Mint version fetching a whopping $5,355.
The controversy surrounding Barry Bonds' career has not affected the value of his cards, with fans continuing to buy and sell them despite his Hall of Fame status being uncertain.
Where to Find
You can find Barry Bonds cards at various retailers and online platforms. Memorabilia retailers and sports specialty stores are great places to start your search.
Sports collectibles shows are another excellent way to find Barry Bonds cards, with a vast array of cards and collectibles available for sale. Check local newspaper listings, Facebook, and sports collector forums to find out about upcoming shows in your area.
Here are some popular online auction sites to consider:
- eBay
- EBTH
- Heritage Auctions
- Lelands
- Christie’s
- Sotheby’s
- Invaluable
- Memory Lane
- PWCC
- SCP Auctions
Rare Cards
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If you're looking for rare cards, one option is to check online marketplaces like PriceGuide.Cards, where you can find the 2017 Topps Gypsy Queen Autograph #GQA-BB featuring Barry Bonds for an average price of $335.
This card is highly sought after, with a top price of $1,300 for ungraded versions and $384 for graded versions, although the top price for graded versions is unspecified.
SportsCardsPro also lists the same card for $120, which is significantly lower than the prices on PriceGuide.Cards.
Online marketplaces can be a great resource for finding rare cards, but be sure to research the seller and the card's authenticity before making a purchase.
Where to Buy
If you're looking to buy Barry Bonds cards, you have several options to consider. You can find them at memorabilia retailers, sports specialty stores, and sports collectibles shows.
eBay, EBTH, Heritage Auctions, Lelands, Christie's, Sotheby's, Invaluable, Memory Lane, PWCC, and SCP Auctions are popular online auction sites where you can find Barry Bonds cards.
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Sports memorabilia shows have a vast array of sports cards and collectibles for sale. To find out about shows coming to your area, check local newspaper listings, Facebook, and sports collector forums.
To assess the value of Barry Bonds cards, consider the three factors of rarity, condition, and customer demand. Rarity and condition are easily assessed according to industry standards, but collector demand can fluctuate unexpectedly.
Card Grading
Card grading is a crucial aspect of buying and selling sports cards, including Barry Bonds trading cards. Cards are graded according to a numeric system ranging from Ungraded to Pristine 10.
A Pristine 10 card is considered absolutely perfect, with no flaws visible even under 10x magnification. This is the highest grade a card can receive, and it's rare to find one that meets this standard. The 1987 Topps Tiffany #320 Rookie RC BGS 10 Pristine MBA Gold Pirates card, for example, is a Pristine 10 card that's extremely rare and valuable, selling for $11,999.99.
Cards graded as Gem Mint 10 are also extremely rare and highly valuable. They're considered perfect across three of the four grading criteria, with only a very slight issue on the fourth. The 1986 Fleer Update Barry Bonds RC #U-14 SGC 10 GEM MINT So Centered + Vibrant! card is a great example of a Gem Mint 10 card, selling for $375.00.
Here's a breakdown of the card grading system:
Ultimately, the grade of a card can greatly impact its value, and it's essential to understand the grading system when buying and selling sports cards.
Graded Cards
Graded cards are a big deal for collectors, and it's essential to understand the grading system to make informed purchasing decisions. The grading system ranges from Ungraded to Pristine 10, with each grade having its own criteria.
A Pristine 10 card is considered perfect, with no flaws visible under 10x magnification. The 1987 Topps Tiffany #320 Rookie RC BGS 10 Pristine MBA Gold Pirates card is a great example of a Pristine 10 card, with a price tag of $11,999.99.
Gem Mint 10 cards are almost perfect, with only a slight issue that keeps them from being Pristine 10. The 1986 Fleer Update Barry Bonds RC #U-14 SGC 10 GEM MINT So Centered + Vibrant! card is a Gem Mint 10, priced at $375.00.
The grading system also includes Grade 9.5, which is nearly mint with an unimportant minor flaw. The Barry Bonds 1986 FLEER UPDATE #14 ROOKIE CARD BGS 9.5 GEM RARE card is a great example of a Grade 9.5, priced at $259.95.
Here's a breakdown of the grading system:
The price of a graded card can vary greatly depending on the athlete, the rarity of the card, and the condition. For example, the Barry Bonds & Hank Aaron Giants 2003 Topps Tribute Contemporary BA-600 1/1 SGC 8 card is priced at $2,199.99, while the Barry Bonds 1997 Flair Showcase Hot Gloves Baseball Card #2 Graded PSA 9 is priced at $299.00.
Error/Corrected Cards
Error/Corrected Cards are a fascinating aspect of the hobby. They can greatly impact a card's value and desirability.
The 1987 Donruss Opening Day Barry Bonds #163 is a prime example of this. This card features a notable error where the player's name is incorrect.
The error was quickly fixed and reissued, making the original error card scarce. As a result, it often surpasses other Barry Bonds rookies at auction because of its rarity.
The error card's value can only climb so far on this list since it just features Bonds by name.
Investment Potential
If Barry Bonds continues to be popular with collectors, his most expensive cards will likely remain high in value and could even increase over time.
His rookie cards are typically the most valuable, and limited print run cards also hold significant investment potential.
These types of cards are already highly sought after, and their value could skyrocket if Bonds ever makes it to the Hall of Fame.
In that case, prices for his cards could go through the roof, making them a potentially lucrative investment for collectors.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Barry Bonds' best rookie card?
Barry Bonds' most popular rookie card is the 1986 Topps Traded card, which is widely recognized and highly valuable in top condition. This card is a great starting point for collectors, with nearly 7,300 PSA 10 copies available.
Sources
- https://showzone.gg/news/the-best-barry-bonds-rookie-cards-ranked
- https://www.oldsportscards.com/barry-bonds-rookie-card/
- https://www.cardboardconnection.com/top-barry-bonds-baseball-cards
- https://www.baseball-almanac.com/players/cards.php
- https://www.cgccards.com/news/article/12145/barry-bonds-card-guide/
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