We get the occasional question through our web site from a Mum or Dad that goes a little something like this…

“I was just cleaning our my son’s bedroom when I discovered a set of Footy Cards from (insert a year in the 90’s here) and I was wondering if they a valuable or not.

Can you please tell me what they are worth?”

Not being able to see the cards ourselves we usually ask for a description of the condition of the cards and a description of what cards are included in the set.

Both answers are important in determining the value of the set! Let me explain…

The condition is probably THE MOST important aspect.

If the cards have been well protected and stored they are likely to be somewhat valuable.

On the flip side, if the cards are bent, creased, have “dull corners” or dented edges chances are the cards will be much less valuable.

So a quick tip for all our readers is, start planning for the future now… we recommend Ultra Pro accessories for the best protection of your cards.

The answer to our other question is what usually determines the ACTUAL value of the set.

What cards are included in the set?

More often than not the set is the complete common set.

Now there is nothing wrong with that, but it means the value is going to be pretty modest in most cases, and it’s usually worth keeping rather than selling.

Occasionally, Mum and Dad write back and they tell us the set includes Signature Cards, All Australian, Best and Fairest, Mark of the Year or a range of other insert cards.

Now this can really INCREASE the value of the collection.

By their very nature, insert cards are more scarce than the common cards. They are “inserted” into packets at a ratio of say 1 card in four packets (1:4), 1:8, 1:18, 1:36, 1:72 or perhaps even 1:432 (one card per case).

Long time readers of this newsletter will remember, just two things determine the value of footy cards…
Scarcity and Demand.

Inserts take care of the Scarcity… and if there is sufficient Demand, you have a valuable set on your hands!

So there is the tip… improve the value of your footy card set by adding the Insert Cards to your collection!

You may be unsure what Insert cards are included in the 2007 releases, so here is a small sample to tide your appetite.

Some of the Insert Cards from the AFL Supreme Series include:

• 2006 All Australian Team (1:8)
• Medal Winners 2006 (1:36)
• AFL 2007 Hall of Fame Series III (1:1)

And the Insert Cards from the NRL Invincible Series:

• Club Player of the Year 2006 (1:8)
• NRL Team of the Year 2006 (1:18), Or the
• All Star Inserts from the 2006 Invincible Series (1:8)