Tuesday, July 30, 2013

The Best Serial Numbers!

Serial numbered cards have been a thing for a while now. Collectors typically don't care much about what number they get, but are more concerned by the total number produced. But some of us nuts actually think about the numbers and consider some better than others. What are the best numbered cards to own? Let's break it down:


Number One
1/500 (or whatever) is always neat. You're #1! The very first one! The original! Just be careful it's not one of those "1 out of 500" (and all 500 say that), which means nothing.. Worthless.
Also along these lines, single-digit numbers of a big run can be kinda cool, like 2/150,000 or 8/2000.

The Player's Jersey Number
If you get a Mickey Mantle serial numbered 7/250, Jackie Robinson 42/1000, or a Michael Jordan 23/1500 or something like that, that's pretty cool. It might tick the card's value up a notch in certain circles.

Special Stat

A Hank Aaron serial number card of 714/x or 755/x.. that's pretty freckin' cool. Or maybe a Pete Rose #'d 44 or 4256, or a Ted Williams #'d 406, Roger Maris #'d 61, or some other special stat/player combo like that.

Special Date



I've got that above Steve Garvey numbered 84 which I think is cool since 1984 was the year he was the NLCS MVP for my Padres and that's even mentioned on the card. Similarly, a Kirk Gibson #'d 88 would be sweet.. or Joe Carter #'d 1993/3000 or something along those lines. It's especially cool if the "total number" matches up too, or factors into it somehow, like a 19/67 Yaz, 19/77 Reggie, etc.

The "Christmas Card" and Other Holidays
A subset of special date serial numbers, any card numbered 12/25 is The Christmas Card, which is incredibly rare and ultra-mega-valuable to anyone with any trace of Christmas Spirit. (This additional value is gained each December, and gone again by the following January.)
I suppose there could theoretically also be a "Halloween Card" (10/31), but I don't think there are many serial numbered cards with a run of 31, which would seem to be a strange number to produce. Similarly, the "Love Card" (2/14) doesn't exist very often.
This doesn't work for all holidays, obviously. For instance, an "America! Card" (7/4) is impossible due to the laws of physics. Such a card exists only in the minds of our top theoretical scientists and philosophers.

Your Birthday
Ok, this might not be a big deal to anyone but you, but if you were born on November 30th, and you got a card of your favorite player serial numbered 11/30.. that would be cool as hell. Or if you were born in March of 1975 and got a card #'d 3/75 or 0003/1975.. something like that. Other dates that might mean something to you could be your anniversary or child's birthday.
If your birthday is October 29th, and Cliff Floyd is your favorite player for some reason, then you might be jealous of this card.
Your Lucky Number
Another one that might be neat for you, but probably nobody else. Oh, I don't know.. if your lucky number is 72 and you got a card #'d 72, I could see how that'd be cool for you. And of course, it always stings a little when you pull a numbered card that's just barely off.. say, if you got a card #'d 73 when your lucky number is 72 and you curse the Gods for their cruel fates they befall upon you. You scour the globe trying to find the person who owns #72 so you can offer to trade them for your #73.

Big, Round Numbers
Like 1000/150,000 or 300/499. A lot of proud zeroes. Hero numbers.

A Bunch of the Same Number
222/2000.. that's a lot of 2's! 101/1100.. binary! 9/99, etc.

The Middle
We're looking at something like 250/500 or 50/100. There's something satisfying about getting the middle card of a numbered run. So snug and safe between the other cards.

The Final Card!
The last card of any limited serial number run is pretty sweet. 50/50 or 5000/5000.. neat to have in your collection. The end-all, be-all. They broke the mold after that guy you've got there in your hands.

The Worst Card?
Well, of course the worst numbered card to own is unlucky #13. Anyone owning a serial #'d card 13 is cursed to a life of constant tragedy and misfortune, only ceased by the peace of the grave*. If you have any serial #'d 13 cards, get rid of them right now! Even while I was in the middle of writing this, I took a break and walked my dog and she nearly almost got hit by a car-- not making this up!-- so let that be a lesson to you. (*note that this only applies to triskaidekaphobics.)
For you God-fearing folks out there, another serial number to avoid is 666, or 6/66, or even 1666/2000. A card such as this has essentially been touched by the hand of the devil. Owning one may make you susceptible to demonic influence. But the good news is you can trade it to a heavy metal fan and get a great deal in exchange, since hard-rocker types value evil cards quite highly.

Oh, fun with numbers!

Do you have any particular serial numbered card that you like for some numerological reason? Please post in the comments to let us know.

23 comments:

  1. I had one of this year's camo parallels numbered 9/99 sent to me that I posted about a few days ago. Very cool. Also have a card commemorating Tony Gwynn's 3,000th hit, which were all numbered to 3,000. I have a "penultimate" serial numbered card, a Paul Konerko jersey swatch that's 179/180.

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  2. I have A Benny Baseball #d 2/2 (It is the nicknames stats shortie from Donruss this year

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  3. I have a #1of 15 Ken griffey Jr. That I can't find any info on even from fleet same with a 2 of 5 Ozzie smith tools of the trade any info would be appreciated

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  4. What about a card that should be numbered and isn't?

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  5. What about a card that should be numbered and isn't?

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    1. Maybe ask a group on social media ie FB. There are groups for misprints and oddities, if it is indeed what you say then it would be a crown jewel of misprints and you would have a very nice payday on your hands

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  6. to clarify. I have a royce Clayton pre rookie card that is a "classic print" they were autographed and hand serialized "# of 2000" and the one I have is autographed but not serialized.

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  7. i just pulled a 2020 playoff hunter henry 1st down gold no.96.....numbered 66/99

    and a 2020 playoff justin herbert gold rookie wave no.RW4.....numbered 4/10

    any idea the value of these?

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  8. How would you put a price on a card #001/100?

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  9. I have a 2003 Fleer Authentic Club box Chipper Jones #20 Ser#002/100 .I cant find it anywhere looking it up on the internet ...any suggestions or value you would put on it.

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  10. I have a 2012 PSA 10 Tom Brady Donruss Elite aspirations Red serial numbered XX/25. I've been dealing with Brady cards for the past nine years and I have no idea why this card has the serial number can you educate me please?
    Thank you.
    Rob

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    Replies
    1. It means it's super rare, only 25 copies were made in total. My guess is that it is worth in the thousands at least, tens of thousands more likely, unfortunately I'm not familiar with what sports cards are going for atm or I could have a more accurate $. Try to look up other serialized cards of the same sort or close to it on Ebay.

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  11. Got one numbered 00/88, what’s that mean

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    Replies
    1. *jaw drop* prolly just means it the first cards, keel that they did that tho.

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  12. How would you price an autographed card marked 10/10?

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  13. I have 7 cards that are serial numbered 46/320 from the 99 pacific prism purple parallel set…. That has to be hard to do right? Does anyone else have or collect matching serial numbers across multiple cards from the same set, especially a sp parallel set?!

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  14. What is it called when numbers are mirrored

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    1. I'm guessing something like 313 or 333 etc when they are the same forwards and backwards

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    2. So 005/500 should be a good example

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  15. Pulled a 1234 card of 2000 yesterday. 11/22/22

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  16. 224/224 anything special?

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  17. 47\99
    556\999
    56\250
    126\500
    173\500
    317\500
    52\500
    and 121\500

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