Card Annoyances: How Not To Make A Relic Card

What you see pictured above is the official way not to make a relic card.  Vintage Sports Cards is the company that released these a few years back, and they were mostly found in retail settings such as Walmart or Target.  All they did was place a worthless base card inside a frame that contained a relic.  I’d question the relic’s authenticity too.  Not sure why, that’s just the vibe I’m getting.  Most of them can be found for next to nothing, but the Mickey Mantle ones have been known to sell for up to $40.00.

Card Annoyances: Colored Top Loaders

I don’t like top loaders that have any type of color to them.  It doesn’t matter if the entire holder is tinted a specific color or its just the border, I don’t like them.  I think they totally take away from the card’s overall appeal.  I know what some of you are thinking, “I use them to color code my collection.”  True, you can do that, but there are so many other ways to stay organized other than using these colored monstrosities.

One of the most annoying things about them is that they can trick you if your not paying attention.  If your scrolling through some auction listings and you see a card, specifically something chrome-like, in one of these colored holders you could easily think its a different refractor color just by glancing at the photo.  I’m surprised more scammers don’t try this.  Just stick with the plain clear ones.

I don’t know whats more annoying.  Colored top loaders or those card stands you see at shows that sell base cards mounted on plaques.  Top loaders that say “ROOKIE CARD” at the top aren’t that far behind either.

Card Annoyances: Relics In The Grading Slab Lable

Does anybody like having relics inserted within the lable of their graded card?  I think this takes game-used relics just a little too far.  In my opinion, I don’t think graded cards should have pieces of relics in the lable because it takes away from the overall card itself.  The card you are sending in for grading is probably significant enough for you to pay the grading fee and it doesn’t need anything else added to it.  If you wanted a relic of that player, it would probably be cheaper to purchase a brand new relic card instead of paying the fee they charge to insert something into the lable.

 

Card Annoyances: Overproduced Graded Base Cards

Here is another minor pet peeve I have – overproduced graded base cards.  What is the point of sending a card like this in for grading, especially to BCCG?  You see these things floating around eBay and card shows all the time, usually trying to find some sucker to bring in.  Its great if you like to collect sets that have been overproduced, I have nothing against that, but I just don’t understand the meaning of getting them graded.  I can see why collectors would get vintage base cards graded, but stuff from the late 80’s and early 90’s don’t need to be graded.  Except for rookie cards, I don’t think its worth getting the base cards graded.

Card Annoyances: Products Made for Specific Teams

I’ll admit that back in 2003 I opened a few packs of ’03 Yankee Signature Series.  I pulled a few autographs, but nothing major.  I don’t have anything against card manufacturers making products for specific teams, but I wish they would do it for more teams.  I would love to see a product like this made for the Phillies.  There has been a baseball organization in Philadelphia for over 100 years, and there is just as much history.  What about the Miami Dolphins and their perfect season?  Thats great history.  Card manufacturers need to target other areas of sports history other than the Yankees for a team oriented product.

 

Card Annoyances: One Color Patch Relics

Every patch card made should be multi-colored.  I think its great when you get lucky enough to pull out a game-used patch relic, but when you look at the patch and its only one color (especially white) the excitement slips away.  A patch card should have at least two colors.