Book Prices

Where do we get our book prices?

Whenever possible we get our book prices from Beckett's online price guide. Currently the only cards listed with book prices that are not from Beckett are poker cards (see below for more info). If you are curious where Beckett gets their prices, see How Beckett Determines Prices.

Do we take condition of the cards under consideration when listing the book value?

No, we let the scan speak for itself. You should factor in the following price guide percentages by grade when determining the book value.

Price Guide Percentage by Grade

The following price guide percentage by grade information is courtesy of Beckett.com.

Baseball Pre-1930 1930-
1947		 1948-
1959		 1960-
1980		 1981-
1989		 1990-
Present
MT N/A 300+% 300+% 250+% 100-150% 100-125%
NrMt-Mt 300+% 150-300% 150-250% 125-200% 100% 100%
NrMt 150-300% 150% 100% 100% 30-50% 30-50%
Ex-Mt 100% 100% 50-75% 40-60% 25-40% 20-30%
Ex 50-75% 50-75% 30-50% 20-40% 15-25% 10-20%
VG 30-50% 30-50% 15-30% 10-20% 5-15% 5-10%
G/F/P 10-30% 10-30% 5-15% 5-10% 5% 5%
Basketball 1948B,
1957/58T		 1961/62-
1976/77		 1977/78-
1989/90		 1990/91-
Present
MT 300% 200%+ 100-150% 100-125%
NrMt-Mt 250-300% 150-200% 100% 100%
NrMt 150-250% 100% 40-60% 30-50%
Ex-Mt 100% 40-60% 25-40% 20-30%
Ex 50-75% 20-40% 15-25% 10-20%
VG 30-50% 10-20% 5-15% 5-10%
G/F/P 10-30% 5-10% 5% 5%
Football 1948-
1953		 1954-
1969		 1970-
1979		 1980-
1987		 1988-
Present
MT N/A 500-800% 250-400% 200-300% 100-200%
NrMt-Mt 200-300+% 150-250% 125-200% 100% 100%
NrMt 75-125% 100% 100% 40-60% 40-60%
Ex-Mt 100% 50-75% 40-60% 25-40% 20-30%
Ex 50-75% 30-50% 20-40% 15-25% 10-20%
VG 25-40% 15-30% 10-20% 5-15% 5-10%
G/F/P 5-15% 5-15% 5-10% 5% 5%
Hockey 1933/34-
1940/41		 1951/52-
1967/68		 1968/69-
1973/74		 1974/75-
1989/90		 1990/91-
Present
MT 300%+ 300%+ 250%+ 125-150% 100%
NrMt-Mt 150-300% 150-250% 200%+ 100% 75-100%
NrMt 100-150% 100% 100% 40-60% 30-50%
Ex-Mt 100% 50-75% 40-60% 25-40% 20-30%
Ex 50-75% 30-50% 20-40% 15-25% 10-20%
VG 30-50% 15-30% 10-20% 5-15% 5-10%
G/F/P 10-30% 5-15% 5-10% 5% 5%

Grade Descriptions

The following grade decriptions are courtesy of Beckett.com.

Mint (MT)

No Flaws, Four perfect corners 55/45 or better centering, smooth edges, original color borders and gloss; no print spots, color, or focus imperfections.

Near Mint-Mint (NrMt-Mt)

Must have 60/40 or better centering, smooth edges, original color borders and gloss. One of the following very minor flaws is allowed: a slight touch of wear on one corner, barely noticeable print spots, color or focus imperfections.

Near Mint (NrMt)

Centering of 70/30 to 60/40. In addition one of the following minor flaws is allowed: a touch of ware on two or three corners, slightly rough edged, minor print spots, color or focus imperfections.

Excellent-Mint (Ex-Mt)

Centering no worse than 80/20 with four fuzzy corners. May also have rough edges, minor border discoloration and minor print spots, color or focus imperfections.

Excellent (Ex)

Centering no worse than 80/20 with four fuzzy corners. May also have rough edges, minor border discoloration and minor print spots, color or focus imperfections.

Very Good (VG)

Handled, but not abused. Slightly rounded corners with slight layering, slight notching on edges, moderate border discoloration, some gloss lost from the surface but no scuffing. May have hairline creases.

Good (G), Fair (F), Poor (P)

Well-worn or abused, badly rounded and layered corners, scuffing, no original gloss, minor border discoloration, and serious creases

How frequently is the book price updated?

Generally we try to check Beckett for updates every couple months. If you see a price that is not up to date, let us know and we can easily update it.

Where do the book prices for poker cards come from?

Beckett does not currently list poker cards. So Tim Getsch studied eBay sales for 3 months, factored in shipping, time spent trying to win the auction, and inherent risk with eBay transactions to calculate what someone should be willing to pay for a card that is on hand. This ended up being a little more conservative than Beckett. For example a card that consistently sells for $90-$100 on eBay got a book value of $125.