Are Fanatics COAs Legit? A Look at My Victor Wembanyama Signed Basketball

Today I want to look at a question that matters a lot in modern sports memorabilia: Are Fanatics COAs legit? I am using a real example from my own collection: a signed Victor Wembanyama basketball from Fanatics. Wembanyama is already one of the most important young names in basketball, and after becoming one of the … Read more

How Should You Store Trading Cards?

The big question I want to talk about today is simple: How should you actually store your trading cards? There are different opinions in the hobby. Some collectors swear by magnetic holders. Others say the best method is penny sleeve plus toploader. Those are the hard plastic holders most collectors know from buying, selling, and … Read more

How Many Real Hits Are Really Inside a Sports Card Box?

Today I want to talk about something very simple, but also very important: How many real hits are actually inside a sports card box? That question comes up all the time in the hobby. Collectors discuss it constantly. Are blaster boxes better? Are hanger boxes better? Should you buy retail at all? Or should you … Read more

How LeBron James’ Autograph Has Changed Over the Years

LeBron James autographs have always been among the most important signatures in the modern sports card market. But if you look closely, his autograph has not stayed the same over time. That is especially interesting now because new Topps cards have appeared with LeBron signatures that look noticeably different from what many collectors are used … Read more

Why Topps Die-Cut Cards Are a Grading Nightmare

Topps die-cut cards are beautiful, popular, and often highly collectible. But for anyone thinking about sending one to PSA, they also come with a very real problem: the corners. And not just four corners. That is the entire issue. A standard trading card has four corners. A die-cut card can easily have six, seven, eight, … Read more

Why Alexandra Eala’s Topps Chrome Tennis Card Feels Like an Interesting First Buy

Alexandra Eala is not the biggest server on tour, and her world ranking is not yet among the very best. But what she does have is something that can matter a lot in the collectibles market: a strong and passionate fan base. The player from the Philippines has already shown that she can draw real … Read more

How I Spotted Fake PSA Slabs and What Immediately Felt Wrong

Over the last few years, fake PSA slabs have become much more common across marketplaces, Facebook groups, trade forums, and private sales. A lot of collectors still assume that a PSA slab automatically guarantees authenticity, but after recently inspecting several counterfeit slabs in hand, I no longer think a certification number alone means very much … Read more

What Should You Do With Your Base Cards?

If you collect sports cards, you probably have stacks of base cards sitting around after opening retail boxes, blasters, hanger boxes, fat packs, or hobby products. While base cards may not carry huge value individually, there are still plenty of smart ways collectors use them. The truth is, there is no single right answer. Base … Read more

My 1/1 Frank Thomas Baseball Card and Why It Matters to Me

I bought my first 1/1 trading card. It is a Frank Thomas card, a Hall of Famer, with an on card autograph. With the Chicago White Sox he was a huge name, and that alone gives this card a lot of weight. The card comes from Topps Tier One 2022. A really nice hit that … Read more

Max Schmeling Memorabilia: Why A $40 Autograph Is Not The Same Market As A $20,320 Watch

Max Schmeling memorabilia is a strange market. In Germany, Schmeling is still a known name. Heavyweight champion, Joe Louis rival, old boxing history, difficult German history, long life, International Boxing Hall of Fame. But when you actually look at the normal autograph market, the prices can feel surprisingly small. I found the same thing on … Read more