Rookie Auto Cards: College vs. NFL uniforms - is one better than the other?

[kingdompc]

Hi everyone. I'm wondering if there is a premium on rookie auto cards in which the player is wearing the uniform of their NFL team as opposed to their college team? Or vice versa? Or does it not matter?

And regardless of the overall view within the hobby community, do you have a personal preference, or does it not matter to you personally?

Thanks!

-kingdompc

[McCallum12]

It's going to be personal preference, but as it seems now, most people's preference is the NFL uniform. You can look at National Treasures Collegiate vs National Treasures prices on Ebay. The pro uni sells for more most of the time.

[kingdompc]

It's going to be personal preference, but as it seems now, most people's preference is the NFL uniform. You can look at National Treasures Collegiate vs National Treasures prices on Ebay. The pro uni sells for more most of the time.

Thanks for the response! Yes, the question occurred to me after reading a Beckett article that seemed to suggest what you're saying (that the college rc autos would sell for less). It hadn't occurred to me that it mattered prior to reading that. But at the same time, there appear to be other factors like how short printed a card is or if it's accompanied by a nice relic material (for example, a college uniform rc #'d to 25 might be more valuable than an NFL uniform rc #'d to 99 - I would think).

[sparty07]

Myself, I am a college team collector (MSU) and don't really have a huge fandom for any one NFL team, so I actually prefer the college uniform over the pro. But I am probably in the very low minority.

[jplcom]

Myself, I am a college team collector (MSU) and don't really have a huge fandom for any one NFL team, so I actually prefer the college uniform over the pro. But I am probably in the very low minority.

And nets you cards at a better price on average!

For me I also prefer their NFL jersey but I wonder if there are special instances where that's not the case. For example what self respecting Jets fan would want a Curtis Martin autograph in a Patriots uniform?

[kingdompc]

Myself, I am a college team collector (MSU) and don't really have a huge fandom for any one NFL team, so I actually prefer the college uniform over the pro. But I am probably in the very low minority.

And nets you cards at a better price on average!

For me I also prefer their NFL jersey but I wonder if there are special instances where that's not the case. For example what self respecting Jets fan would want a Curtis Martin autograph in a Patriots uniform?

You both make very good points. On a personal level, the college auto rookie cards would be more appealing if (1) you don't really care for any particular NFL team [or you likewise are a fan of the player more than you are of the team] or (2) you DO particularly dislike a player's rookie NFL team. These are definitely factors to consider!

[JWinn]

Pro

The whole reason I collect is because I have been going to Bronco games pretty much my whole life. My dad took me for years, and the tickets became mine years ago.

Not about resale or value for me. I collect the players I watch on Sundays.

However, I did pick up a Philip Lindsay 18 Contenders Draft auto last month. It was either that or an Elite. And I wanted one before the prices went up. First collegiate product card in my Broncos Contenders book other than the Knowshon Moreno College ticket in 99.




I did buy a $20 box of 18 Contenders Draft last week. We happened to be in Target, and I just felt the itch to open some packs. The product gives two auto's per box, and this year has several Broncos included, so I went with that rather than Prestige or Absolute with a promised swatch.

Prefer two stickers to one swatch anyday for 20 bucks....... Especially ones that say Contenders on them.

So there are exceptions.

And lately, I am really starting to feel that jersey cards are junk unless they are multi-colored, and very cheap. But a small single color swatch, even a rookie, isn't worth shipping even anymore unless it's the one or two exceptions. So I went the the college stickers over the pro swatch for this 20 bucks.

Did pretty good too! Pulled a Raider TE that was not on the roster, and a Bronco LB who IS!

So now I got TWO Contenders Draft Picks cards in my Broncos Contenders book. (Around 150 different autographed cards so far) And ONE in my regular Contenders book (Over 500 cards).

[kingdompc]

JWinn: I tend to generally agree with you - that even sticker autos are preferable over single color swatches. Anyway, looks like you did well on the break! And thanks for the input on the thread topic! Good to hear another point of view.

[Crosscheck]

College gets my vote. Reason being I love the college game. I have 1 NFL I like and keep up with the rest of the league enough to say I know what’s going on. I love college football I have a favorite team. Three others I follow closely then about 8 more I pull for at a distance. I follow college football pretty closely. I’d watch any 2 teams in person or on TV given the opportunity I just like the college game. There is only a couple of schools that I can’t tolerate. About 4 years ago I went on a cross country road trip and my family was getting mad at me because we would be 20 or so miles from a college stadium and I would want to just drive by the stadium knowing darn good and well there was nothing going on there in May. This went on for about 10 states.

[blackhorseson]

I prefer pro uniforms. If I learned anything from the past, it's that the cards where players are in pro jerseys are more valuable. Look at Sage, Press Pass, etc. Then look at Topps, Panini , etc. I just don't find college cards too good looking.