The history of hockey cards is long, spanning from the early days of gum chewing through to modern day trading card sets. The most popular sets feature National Hockey League players, but other countries and leagues are represented as well.
Collecting hockey cards is a fun hobby, and it can even help you learn a little bit about the game of ice hockey. But like any other hobby, collecting hockey cards can also be expensive.
It’s no secret that the value of hockey cards can vary quite a bit depending on their condition, rarity and popularity. Some cards can be found in very low condition or even have no value at all, but most cards are worth something.
Some of the most valuable hockey cards are not the ones that are worth a lot of money, but rather, they’re the rarest or most unique. For example, a 1952-53 Parkhurst Bobby Orr card can be worth thousands of dollars.
In addition to being extremely rare, this card has an unusual design that drives up its value. It depicts Orr as a sophomore player with a photo that’s black and white, unlike the typical color photos used for the cards in most other sets.
If you’re interested in obtaining this card, you should seek out a PSA 10 Gem Mint copy, which can sell for over $20,000. However, copies that are not as perfect can still be found in the sub-$1,000 range.
Another hockey card that can be worth a lot of money is a 1956-57 Topps O-Pee-Chee rookie card featuring Wayne Gretzky. The card was a part of the O-Pee-Chee series that featured the greatest players of all time, and it’s arguably one of the most iconic cards ever produced.
A few other notable hockey cards can be found in this section, including a 1970-71 O-Pee-Chee set that features the infamous “skate-a-tucker” (the term for the puck thrown by a player who is in the penalty box) card. These cards are very rare and can be found in only a small number of sets.
The best way to find a good price for your hockey cards is to search online and see what other people have sold them for in the past. This can give you an idea of what your card is worth, and if it’s worth the cost of shipping it to you.
There are many websites that can help you with this, including our friends at Market Movers. These sites are often updated with recent sales and can give you an idea of what your card might be worth if it’s in good condition.
Some companies have attempted to create exclusive hockey card sets for a particular player or team, hoping to gain an edge in the market. This is typically done through a special contract that the company has with a national junior team or an organization that is looking to develop young talent. This is often a successful strategy, but the NHL Players’ Association and league officials can get concerned about this.