WCCO Sports Huddle host Dave Mona, a trading card expert, estimates he has one to two million cards. At one time he owned about four million cards. He said recently a long term trend of declining interest and value in cards continues. “Many cards from the last 20 years are virtually worthless,” he said.
Card manufacturers are producing fewer cards than in the past and interest among the public, including youngsters, has been impacted by the many other entertainment options. Among the “hot cards” today are Joe Mauer and Johan Santana rookie cards. In football, there has been lots of excitement about the rookie cards of former USC idols Matt Leinart and Reggie Bush. Mona said he recently sold an autographed Leinart on eBay for $180.
Old cards may still hold value including the famous 1952 Topps baseball set. Mona estimated the set value at “more than $15,000.00.” Included in the set is a rookie Mickey Mantle card that Mona said even “if scruffy” could fetch $1,500.00.