I have found a valuable card - What do I do?

You've opened a pack, flipped through the cards – and suddenly you stop.
The card looks different. It's thicker. Glossier. Maybe numbered. Maybe signed.

“This could be worth something.”

Congratulations!
But before you do anything, it's important to take a step back. Many valuable cards lose value due to small mistakes that could have easily been avoided.

Don't do this.

When you think you have found a valuable card, you should avoid the following:

• Don't leave the card loose on the table.
• Don't put it in your pocket.
• Do not stack it with other cards
• Don't start brushing or wiping on it.
• Don't bend it "to see if it's real"
• Should not be put in a binder without a sleeve, as it can damage the corners.

The condition of the card is often as important as the card itself.

What kind of card did you find?

Before thinking about value, you should try to identify the card:

• Is it numbered ? (e.g. 12/99)
• Does it have an autograph ?
• Is it a relic card ?
• Does the design clearly differ from regular cards?
• Is the player popular, current or legendary?

Small details can have a big impact.

Protect your card right away

The first thing you should do is physically protect the card.

Minimum:

• Penny sleeve (thin plastic pocket)
• Toploader (hard plastic) (do not put unsleeved cards in toploader)

If you need this, you can find it in the shop.

If you don't have it available:

• Lay the card flat.
• Touch the card as little as possible
• Wait until you can protect it properly.
• Atleast put it in a binder

This one step can make a big difference.

How to find out what the card might be worth?

To find the value of one card, you can read our post about just that under Tips & Tricks

Keep, sell or upgrade?

When you know a little more about the card, you are often faced with three choices:

Keep

If the card has:

• Affectionate value
• Collector's value
• Or is from favorite player

Sell

If:

• demand is high right now
• the player is “hot”
• you would rather spend the value on something else

Grading

Grading can:

• confirm condition
• increase confidence
• in some cases increase the value

But:

• it costs money
• takes time
• is not always the right choice

Finding a valuable card is fun – but the most important thing you can do is take your time . Don't stress, don't rush, and learn a little about the card before you decide on the next step. And protect the card in the meantime.

Knowledge is often the best investment in the world of collecting.