Q&A: Trading cards

In 1988, the release of the inaugural MAXX Race Cards set ushered in the era of prosperity now enjoyed by the racing collectibles industry. Trading cards remain one of the hobby's most popular commodities. Consequently, we get plenty of questions about these cardboard collectibles. Here are the responses to some of your inquiries:

EMAIL Got a collectible question? Email us! Please remember to be specific when describing a collectible -- manufacturer, year, etc. Limit your questions to two and check our archives before submitting an inquiry.

Q: I have some trading cards. Most of them are Traks. Since I can only ask you about two of them I will ask about Dale Earnhardt and Bobby Hamilton.

The Dale Earnhardt card says Busch Clash on the top and Dale is dressed all in black with a Goodwrench Service logo on his shirt. At the bottom of the card it says Dale Earnhardt Racer's Choice A Pinnacle Brand and in the background is a Busch Pole Board.

The Bobby Hamilton card is in black and white. It says Driver on the top of the card and Bobby Hamilton on the bottom. There is a silver symbol on each side of the card at the bottom and on the back of the card Silver Speed is stamped across the info.

Dale's card is No. 92 and Bobby's is No. 33. Can you tell me how much these cards sell for?--BamaKay55

A: Both a fairly common and sell for $1-4.

Q: If you were to pick the 10 rarest cards, not autographed, what would they be? -- MasterGlazier

A: If I were to pick the rarest NASCAR cards, a lot of them wouldn't be from the traditional made-for-sale sets that dominate the hobby. Many would be promotional-type giveaway cards. This is strictly my opinion, but here are my picks in no particular order:

1. 1970 Fleer Darel Dieringer No. 16 Mercury (car is actually a 1966 model)

2. 1970 Fleer Dan Gurney No. 121 Ford (car is a '66 or '67)

3. 1989 Winner's Circle Lee Petty without NASCAR

4. 1972 STP Fred Lorenzen Kneeling by car

5. 1988 MAXX Dale Earnhardt No. 99 Unreleased card

6. 1995 Press Pass Jeff Gordon $1995 Phone Card

7. 1985 Big League Cards Alan Kulwicki Quincy's Prototype

8. 1986 Sportstars Photographics Dale Earnhardt

9. Any Press Pass "One-of-One" card

10. Any Press Pass card numbered to drivers car number where that number is less than 20.

Q: I bought my son an autographed Jeff Gordon card in 1995. It's No. 103 of 1000 and came with a certificate. Just curious about what the value might be. -- G Petronis

A: It would help to know the manufacturer. Any estimate without that info would be a guess. The collectible value could be over $100.

Q: I have an autographed Dale Earnhardt Jr. 2000 Press Pass Trackside card (autograph in blue Sharpie). It shows Jr. and his car on the front of it, and on the side in silver it has his name. I was wondering what the value of it would be. -- Vebergren

A: Since there was no mention of the card number, I'm assuming this is a common card that has been autographed and not an insert. If the autograph is verifiable, it is probably worth $35-40.

Q: I have a Bill Elliott Budweiser Racing set of three cards. They are Platinum, Gold, and Silver. They are hologram cards and have March Madness on each with Bill holding up four fingers. I think that I baught them in Daytona in 1991 or 92. I can not find any info on these cards. Could you help with the vaule and age of this card.-pailman112

A: The value is $10-15.

Q: I have a Dale Earnhardt trading card. It is 24k gold. I was wondering how much would it be worth? -- Gayla Goforth

A: Impossible to appraise without knowing the manufacturer. However, Earnhardt gold cards sell on eBay fairly regularly for around $25.

Q: I have a sealed Fifth Anniversary 1992 Black Maxx wax box of trading cards. Can you tell me the value of these? I also have 1993 Chromium Maxx sealed wax box. Any idea of value? -- LBM

A: Both book for $15-40. I've seen them go for under $20 on eBay. Personally, I'd value them at $20-30.

Q: I own a 1991 Traks card of Dale Earnhardt with his signature. The card is No. 18 It says Cool Customer. Does it have any value? --twinkiecm

A: This is from the 1992 Traks GM Goodwrench Team Set. The true value is in the autograph. If it can be authenticated, the value would be in the $75-100 range.

Q: I have a complete set of 1997 Press Pass Cup Chase cards. This is a 20-card set in the Gold Nitrokrome with Field Card and also the once stamped Jeff Gordon card. The set was a prize for having the Gordon card when he won the championship. I believe it was also the only way to get the Terry Labonte card that is included. Value please? -- Kurt

A: This is hard to believe, but I see these sets sell on eBay for under $10. Still, I have to think the collectible value is quite a bit more. I'd put the collectible value of the foil set in the $40-50 range.

Q: I have a 2002 Rookie Review Premiere Gold card (out of 99 printed) of Jimmie Johnson graded a GEM Mint 10. Could there be any value on this/these cards? -- ST

A: Rookie Review is known for doing the first cards of some of the sports world's hottest prospects. For every standard issue published, they produce an ultra-rare investment grade "Premiere" edition which has a tamper proof hologram on each card and is a unique gold color that distinguishes it from the regular issue Rookie Review card.

I've heard that some of these cards sold for over big bucks back in 2002. But I've seen people trying to auction them off on eBay for a $25 starting bid without even a single hit. Based on what I'm seeing in the secondary market --and eBay is a pretty good indicator -- I'd have to say the current value would lie in the $50-100 range. You might be able to stretch that out to $125-150 for somebody who had a special interest in this particular card.

Q: How much is the 1988 Maxx Talladega Streaks card worth these days? -- Donnie

A: I remember when this card would bring $100 at the drop of the hat. Those were the days. This Maxx Myrtle Beach card is going for as low as $15 now. I'd place the collectible value at $30-35.