In the last issue of the “Collectors Edition” newsletter we wrote an article titled “Individually Numbered Cards - Is It Important?“

In that article I mentioned that Individual Numbering tells us just how Scarce the card is… and the popularity and skill of the player drives Demand.

Well there is often MORE to it… and this month is the perfect time for me to outline exactly what it is.

Ask yourself this question.

Would you like to have a Signature card numbered #066 of 100, OR the same card numbered #007 of 100?

If you answered the card numbered #007 of 100… you’re in the majority of collectors.

As collectors, we’re fascinated with the prospect of having a low number!

The lower the number the more valuable the card in the eyes of most collectors.

Okay, ask yourself another question…

Would you prefer to have a Signature Card numbered #002 of 100, OR the same card numbered #007 of 100?

MOST collectors would take #002 every day of the week.

Why?

Because it has the lower number… and the fact that we know there is only one other card with a lower number available.

This is the element of Scarcity MAGNIFIED!

It’s simple… Low numbers are more scarce than high numbers. Typically cards from #001 to #010 are more valuable than all the others in the release.

In fact, I estimate that cards numbered #001, #002, #003, #004 and #005 are the most valuable of the release.

My personal rule of thumb is that any card numbered #001 attracts a premium of 100% of the cards NORMAL value.

That means… if most cards in the limited release are worth $200, then the card numbered #001 should be worth $400 purely because of the low number.

It follows that:

• #002 attracts a premium of approximately 50%.
• #003 attracts a premium of approximately 35%.
• #004 attracts a premium of approximately 25%.
• #005 attracts a premium of approximately 15%.

But… what if I told you that Select (the manufacturers of footy cards) NEVER release card #001.

It’s true!

Select NEVER release card #001

They keep it in their own private corporate collection.

So for Select products, #002 is actually the lowest card you will ever find.

I’ve been fortunate with the AFL Classic and NRL Centenary Series.  We’ve opened a lot of boxes and found a number of Signature Redemption cards.

We sent them in to Select as QUICKLY as we could, in an effort to get low numbered cards in return… and this is what we’ve got so far…

James Hird Tribute Signature #003 of 100

Jonathan Brown Tribute Match Captain Signature #003 of 100

John Raper Immortal Signature #003 of 125

Reg Gasnier Immortal Signature #002 of 125

We’re pretty proud of this collection… but like most things in life they are available to buy. 

They are all magnificent cards in their own right, but having a low number makes them EVEN MORE collectible and therefore more valuable.

There’s no secret to getting such low numbered redemption cards.  You need to get them to Select as quickly as you can!

We sent all ours the day each Series was released, so they arrived at Select the day after… and we were lucky enough to beat MOST other collectors to do it.

But that’s a whole different story… let’s get back to the low numbered cards themselves.

My rule of thumb for valuing low numbered cards is NOT fool proof.  There are a few other variations that can help the card value skyrocket.

Take this for an example.

Every AFL fan knows that James Hird’s Guernsey number is #5.

If you were lucky enough to get a James Hird Tribute Signature #005 of 100 I reckon it’s worth just as much as the #002.

It is still a low number in itself plus it matches his Guernsey number!

Same goes for any Wally Lewis Signature Card numbered #006 as #6 was always his Jersey number.

Here is another variation on the theme…

Any of the individually numbered NRL Centenary cards that is #100 would be more valuable than the same card numbered #099 or #101. We’re celebrating 100 years of Rugby League… so it makes sense that the number #100 would be more valuable!  Don’t you agree?

It’s a shame the AFL Tribute Match Signature cards aren’t numbered to 150 for Brown and McLeod.  It would have been fantastic to have card #150 of 150. It would have been one of a kind… literally!!!

I’ve even seen cards who’s numbers correspond with a time in history attract significant price premiums.

Cards like the Dual Provan Summons Legend Signature card from the 2003 Select XL Series numbered #063 which corresponded with the iconic 1963 Grand Final.

This card is worth approximately 60% - 70% more than others in the series in my opinion.

Other examples might be the year of the players’ birth or the year of their debut.

What other examples have you seen?

Let us know and share your thoughts with our other subscribers.  Leave a comment in the comments section. Click here…

So as you can see, the individual numbering of cards can have an enormous effect on their value.  Take a look in your collection and see what you’ve got.

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Next month…

Each month we shine the spotlight on one of the most popular cards of the moment… and take a look a what it is that makes it so popular.

If there’s a card that you would like us to put the spotlight on please write to me at ian[AT]FootyStars.com.au with details of the card and why you feel it should be put “in the spotlight”.

What card will it be next issue? You’ll have to wait and see.