Expert: Joe Halliwell - 7/31/2003

Question
I am looking to purchase a cal ripken jr. rookie card for my brother's 20th birthday.  However, there are different rookie cards.  Which one is the best?  

Answer
There are 4 Cal Ripken, Jr. "rookie" cards...

'82 Donruss #405 (approx. $40.00)
'82 Fleer #176 (approx. $40.00)
'82 Topps #21 (approx. $50.00)
'82 Topps Traded #98T (approx. $120.00)

As you can see, the most sought after is the last one, the "Topps Traded", which is reflected in that price.

These prices are for "raw", "ungraded" cards. In todays' hobby, more and more people are submitting cards to a third-party grading company (such as PSA - Professional Sports Authenticators)) to grade and encapsulate important cards such as this. They check for damage, centering, gloss, corner wear, among many other things. They then assign a "number" from 1 to 10, with 10 being "Gem Mint"...an absolutely perfect card.

A Gem Mint Topps Traded Cal Ripken Jr. card will cost you about $1500.00...

Ouch!!

It's all about "condition"...maybe you could get a local card shop dealer to help you find one in a PSA 8 or PSA 9, which will be absolutley beautiful!!

Then again, I'm sure any condition Cal Ripken Jr. card given as a present will be just perfectly perfect, regardless of the centering or corners...!!

Good luck, and Happy Birthday to your brother!

- Joe