What defines a Rookie Card?

[30ranfordfan]

But I thought the BAP redemptions got an 'XRC' tag??

Actaully, I have a Zetterberg that was issued in 01/02 UD Top Shelf...a year before his true RC's. They are simply "Inserts" that are issued as redemptions in late seasons products....much like BAP does today.

[achangeofspeed]

The logic behind a parallel not being a rookie is interesting considering the definition parallel. It's not like there is anything especially different with most parallels anyway other than a fraction being slapped on during printing.

Parallels of rookie cards typically BV/Sell higher than the standard which means both the industry and collectors are recognizing it's value. If you take a #/25 from a players rookie year it will BV higher than #/25 from the following year which to me says the industry and collectors are recognizing it's a rookie.

I do see however why these designations exist despite the flaws in logic.

[30ranfordfan]

You're right: You will see a "Parallel of a Rookie" sell for more than a "Parallel of a 2nd Year".

But if you look at two cards, of the same player..... one with a BV of $5, and the other has a BV of $10..... if they have a similar parallel, the parallel of the $10 card is almost always going to be worth more. Since the RC is more desirable than the 2nd year, should its parallels be more desirable than those of the 2nd year?

Then you often see RC Parallels sell for less than the Rookie.

The easy example is Sidney Crosby, from the Cup. His RC /99 sells for more than the Gold Parallel /87. Why? Because collectors place more value on the true RC, rather than the parallel.

That same principle holds true for most un-numbered RC Parallels, and ones whose print runs aren't particularly low, and for ones whose print runs are comparable to the true RC.

The logic behind a parallel not being a rookie is interesting considering the definition parallel. It's not like there is anything especially different with most parallels anyway other than a fraction being slapped on during printing.

Parallels of rookie cards typically BV/Sell higher than the standard which means both the industry and collectors are recognizing it's value. If you take a #/25 from a players rookie year it will BV higher than #/25 from the following year which to me says the industry and collectors are recognizing it's a rookie.

I do see however why these designations exist despite the flaws in logic.

[TheRussianRocket]

QUOTE
Criteria:
1. Licensed.
2. First card in a main set with regular numbering. Insert subsets, jersey cards, autographs which are separate from the main set do not qualify.
3. Not a parallel - that's why the Kane OPC Premier Gold you mentioned doesn't count.
4. Print run of at least 99.
5. Widely (universal) distribution - Beckett made an exception on the Sidney Crosby McDonald's card, which was only available in Canada


Exactly what he said LOL

[snowkat]

That said, I don't believe UD has made a true RC since 1998...