why are shields valued so high??

[Craig2]

I understand that you could buy a jersey for the price of some of these, but I collect cards and not jerseys.

I think that's just a personal preference.

[flopfish]

In the current era, there are many game used jerseys worn by each player, hence why you see companies being able to load product after product with memorabilia cards. However, this year there will be around 5 shields for rookies from different products, meaning that each one is different. Shield cards are much easier to display than jerseys as well, as a gu jersey I would have stuck in my closet because it's hard to display. You can buy game-used jerseys for around the same price, but as Craig says, it's just personal preference, just like cutting up vintage jerseys as some people like it and some people don't.

All it comes down to is rarity: a player will only have 1 shield in a product. They will have many game used jerseys in their life. If you collect a player's cards, the shield card is better. If you don't care about memorabilia cards, you'll collect their full jerseys.

The hobby is personal preference. Has always been, and will always been. As of right now, a lot more people want to buy a shield card as opposed to a full jersey, hence the higher price. If it changes, shields will drop in value.

[RGM81]

^ it is different than a complete game jersey in that there is only 1 of x player's shield card in a given series

If there was only 1 game used sweater of x player made available each year collector demand would go up

If only that were true.

https://www.sportscardforum.com/scf/inv/viewset/133247

Do a Crtl+F for "Tavares."

[Yzerfan]

If only that were true.

https://www.sportscardforum.com/scf/inv/viewset/133247

Do a Crtl+F for "Tavares."

Nice, 9 in one release and probably event-worn. That's totally worth 1000.00.

My problem isn't with the cards themselves, but with the obnoxious amount of money they go for. I'm not ignorant, I understand the laws of supply/demand. It's the demand part that I'm confused about.

[Yipper]

Nice, 9 in one release and probably event-worn. That's totally worth 1000.00.

My problem isn't with the cards themselves, but with the obnoxious amount of money they go for. I'm not ignorant, I understand the laws of supply/demand. It's the demand part that I'm confused about.

I don't think you see the demand part only because you are referencing forum activities.

I can't speak for you but usually when you see the "high prices" I believe you are referring to ebay sales.

Simply put, probably 10% or lower of the hobby are on boards like this, the individuals who buy shields as PC items (not the player collectors) are maybe 2-3 on each boards, probably less.

The avid shield guys buy them ebay and you will never see them come out until sales and transaction like these go through.

Out of all the Shields have gone through, how many do you see them pop on the boards? Answer: 1, 2, 3? And those guys are just normally player collectors.

Those who actually collect shields. I can only think of one and that is Lee: therussianrckt. I do my fair of shield collecting but even with 10 in my collection, I won't even put myself in his category.

For every shield out there, there are usually at least a handful of "player collectors" for the card and even larger group looking to just buy the cards in general as well as those who would PC shields.

Each year there probably a total of 200-300 of shields. All "unique" either player combination, manufacturers (UD vs Panini), etc. All are 1/1. The odds of pulling these are at least 1 in 6 cases +. So in reality you might see 60-70% max. being pulled.

Factoring in the hype upon release and individuals wanting the newest and latest things, the prices skyrocket.

This years UD Ultimate has been a "surprise" having shields ending over $1,000. With mid-level rookies like Scheifele and Zibanejad over $2,000.

Is that a lot? Yes, relative to what previous years go for. Top rookies over $1,000. A couple over $2,000. But the rest under $1,000.

Is that a lot in terms of the hobby? No. These are cheap cards compared to any other sport. The Shield whether you like it or not has established itself as the "top" card to have in the hobby (modern age).


The hobby is expanding exponentially like the NHL growing in its fan base each year. The new hobbyist whether they are completely new young individuals entering the hobby or individuals who have collected other sports and want to try hockey, usually strive for or hope to acquire the top card in the hobby. The NHL Shield at this moment is.


I can see Shield prices continue to rise or stay on par as each new releases come up especially in UD Ultimate. "Old" shields like any Ferrari of cars will depreciate upon each new release with the exception of a few going up because they are "collectors edition."

[roy.the.greatest]

Prices won't go down for Shields of legend players - Gretzky, Roy, Brodeur to name a few. The rest will probably go down mainly due to the name of the player/goalie that will brings no demand in few years. Always the same pattern with prospects, the difference between a prospect and a legend is huge. For example, who will collect Phil Kessel in 10 years? No demand = no value, whatever the card.

[centrehice]

Shields Auto 1/1 cards worth more because they are the finest cards made, it is as easy as that. Don't look only on eBay to put a value on those cards, in lucky week you'll get a Roy/Hextall for $1026, then you resell it offline for $4500, and you'll see it back months after back on eBay for $6999. So, the real value of cards like that are difficult to set, but they worth a solid coin if names are solid on the card. But we can't compare value of this kind of collectables with game-used equipment, even vintage stuff; different collectables with different collectors.

Hogwash.