Card of the Day: Uljana Semjonova 1993 Action Packed Basketball Hall of Fame 25th Anniversary #64

Card of the Day: Kenny Wallace 1993 Action Packed Young Guns #60

Card of the Day: Razor Ramon 1995 Action Packed WWF #3

Card of the Day: Luis Aparicio 1993 Action Packed All-Star Gallery Series 2 #122

Card of the Day: Brett Favre 1991 Action Packed Rookie Update #21

Card of the Day: Lawrence Taylor 1995 Action Packed WWF WrestleMania XI

Card of the Day: John Elway 1995 Action Packed #14

Product Highlight: 1994 Action Packed NFL COASTARS

Action Packed lasted longer than most new card companies that got their start during the junk wax era.  They made football, baseball, basketball, racing, and wrestling cards.  Getting into the hockey card business was a top priority, but it never fully panned out.  Almost all of their hockey products were issued as promos.

Given the amount of sports cards that flowed into the hobby during the 80s and 90s, Action Packed needed to do something in order to separate themselves from their competitors.  Their answer was thicker card stock, rounded corners, and “puffy” pictures.  I call them “puffy” because the images are raised resembling those stickers that became popular during the 80s.  The “puffy” picture became Action Packed’s signature style for all of their products.

Action Packed sure had it’s share of unusual products to collect.  In 1994 they introduced their line of COASTARS.  These are actual coasters that you can throw on the table and place your drink on.  Six coasters come shrink-wrapped to a sheet.  You need to punch-out the coaster from the sheet in order to use it.  The checklist features players like Boomer Esiason, Dan Marino, Emmitt Smith, and Jerry Rice.  One side of the coaster has the player in their home uniform.  Flip it over and you’ll find them pictured in their away uniform.  COASTARS is one of the only products Action Packed made that doesn’t include “puffy” pictures.  Probably so you wouldn’t spill your drink.

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but COASTARS didn’t catch on.  Fun novelty, but no major demand.

Card of the Day: Jeff Gordon 1993 Action Packed Young Guns #61

Card of the Day: Aundray Bruce 1990 Action Packed #1