Anyone who says sports memorabilia is not worth investing in probably doesn’t know that Michael Jordan’s jersey sold for $3 million or that Babe Ruth’s 1920 New York Yankees jersey sold for $4.4 million.
Of course, these are one-of-a-kind items with a huge value for collectors. But, even though your autographed baseball or trading cards will never reach this price point, you may still get a good deal for them. If you decide to let them go.
Most major sports leagues create highly-sought after memorabilia, but Major League Baseball is often under the spotlight due to baseball being dubbed “America’s past time”. Therefore, today we’ll take a look at the future of MLB collectibles and why you should consider treating your memorabilia as an investment.
The Future of MLB Memorabilia
Some of the most common MLB memorabilia items include autographed baseballs, jerseys, bats, bobblehead dolls, trading cards, and autographed photos with players. All these items are still going to have value in the future, but trading cards have a special place in both the history and the future of the game.
Baseball trading cards have been popular for decades, and collectors often own cards from different eras and players. However, if you worry that trading cards may lose appeal due to the internet and social media, you should know that the future of baseball trading cards is in the digital space.
First of all, the online environment is the perfect trading space since it’s easy to stay updated on prices and offers. Also, there is a growing trend in the digital baseball cards trading market as more traders and collectors get involved.
MLB Memorabilia Worth Investing In
So, does this mean you should switch your strategy and start heavily buying digital cards? It depends on what you’re hoping to achieve.
Overall, it is a good idea to keep an eye on digital cards, but you should also consider physical memorabilia. Of course, not everyone buys sports items to sell, but it’s not a bad thing to see memorabilia as an investment.
As we already mentioned, some of these items can reach unfathomable prices, but even some of the most common items (like autographed baseballs and photos) can sell for several thousand.
So, if you are an MLB fan, don’t shy away from getting an autographed photo with your favorite player or ask them to sign a ball for you.
Where to Sell?
If you decide to sell, it’s best to search for an auction house for sports memorabilia with a good reputation. Nowadays, there are thousands of websites claiming to organize auctions for sports memorabilia, so it’s rather easy to get scammed.
To make sure you get the best possible price, get your items authenticated. We recommend using reputable third-party authenticators, such as PSA/DNA or JSA.
Once you have the required certificate, start researching the price level for your item(s). To do this, find several auction sites (like Heritage Auctions or SCP Auctions) and sports memorabilia forums to get an idea of the market value.
How to Find the Most Valuable Items?
As a buyer, it can also be challenging to find items that are worth investing in. So, here are a few pointers:
- Do your research – research the history of the item you are interested in. Find out who used it, when and where it was used, and any other relevant details that can help determine its value. For instance, players with impressive careers are often the subject of the most interesting memorabilia.
- Look for authenticity – authenticity is crucial when it comes to determining the value of MLB memorabilia.
- Check auction records – auction records and sales of similar items will give you an idea of what the market value might be.
- Consult experts – appraisers, auction houses, and collectors may provide more insight into the more valuable items.
- Pay attention to the item’s condition – a well-preserved item is often more valuable than one that shows signs of extensive use or damage.
Key Takeaway
The market of MLB collectibles has a bright future ahead in both the digital and offline worlds. So you can continue to enjoy watching your favorite players and gathering precious mementos of their careers.
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