Card of the Day: Chloe Kim 2018 Topps U.S. Winter Olympics & Paralympics Team and Hopefuls Auto

Card of the Day: Missy Franklin 2012 Topps USA Olympics Auto

“Pin-Up” of the Week: 2012 London Summer Olympics White iPhone Pin

Attendees to the 2012 Summer Olympics in London could have walked into an Apple Store and picked-up one of four different pins.  Apple gave away pins designed to look like a white iPhone, black iPhone, white iPad, and a black iPad.  Each one features the United Kingdom flag on the screen.  They are quite easy to come by and cost just a few dollars.

Speaking of the iPhone.  Have you downloaded the Sports Card Album app yet?  Its pretty much the best thing to hit the hobby since the rookie card.

“Pin-Up” of the Week: Sochi 2014 Nippon TV Winter Olympics Media Pin

The 2014 Winter Olympics are in full swing over in Sochi, Russia.  Norway currently holds the most medals with six.  Whenever the Olympics come around, pin collectors are in heaven.  Pin trading is huge when it comes to the Olympics.  Its even bigger than the Little League World Series.  They pretty much have a pin for everything.

Media outlets from all over the world are represented at the Olympics.  In America, NBC has the most coverage.  Over in Tokyo, Japan they have Nippon TV.  Nippon TV has been around for 60 years.  They were the first to air a TV commercial and broadcast in color.  Nippon TV has a rich history in shaping Japanese television much like ABC, NBC, and CBS do here in America.

If you’re attending the Winter Olympics right now, consider yourself lucky if you can get your hands on one of these Nippon TV media pins.  One recently sold for $90.00.

Card of the Day: Hope Solo 2012 Topps Olympics Auto

“Pin-Up” of the Week: 2012 London Olympics Coca-Cola Lanyard Trader Pin

I’ve never been into watching the Olympics.  The sports just don’t excite me all that much.  One thing the Olympics is good for are the pins.  Each Olympics has more and more pins for collectors to find.  The rarity level of the Olympic pins range from quite common to very rare.  Some pins have been known to sell into the thousands, especially if they’re a complete set.  My favorite type of pins are the ones that deal with the actual act of pin trading.  Trading pins during the Olympics is one of the biggest things athletes and fans can do.

This pin seen above is one of a few different pins geared towards pin trading.  They seem to be selling for around $20.00.

Card of the Day: Michael Phelps 2012 Topps Olympics Commemorative American Flag Patch

Card of the Day: Shawn Johnson 2012 Topps U.S. Olympics Commemorative USOC Pin

“Pin-Up” of the Week: 1996 Atlanta Olympics UPS Worldwide Pin

The hobby would be a crappy place if it weren’t for the USPS, UPS, and FedEx.  Collectors have been depending on these companies for years so they could get that one last card for their collection.  Distributors rely on them so they can get those boxes on their shelves.  Its always exciting to see a box sitting on your front porch.

This pin was made for the 1996 Atlanta Olympics and as you can see UPS was a sponsor.  Its not worth a whole lot.  Just a couple of bucks.

The Speed Skating Sketch

The 2010 Winter Olympics may very well be over, but that didn’t stop Monty Sheldon from creating a sketch card of the most decorated Winter Olympian, Apolo Ohno.

When it comes to cards of Olympians, there aren’t a whole lot.  In fact, this sketch and his 2004 Donruss World Series Fans of the Game autograph are probably his most valuable cards available on the secondary market.  Sketch cards featuring athletes are usually dominated by baseball because they sell better.  I think its nice to see something a little different for once.  Be sure to check out the auction for the Ohno sketch here.