Certified hit eBay over the last few days, with many of the cards being relatively unimpressive. However, there is one card that just was listed on eBay that has me more than a little shocked.
2011 Ceritifed Charles Woodson Hometown Heores Auto
As you can see, the price on this card is more expensive than I would have ever expected it to be. This is where Panini definitely scored in terms of finding a guy that everyone wants, but no one can have. Like with many defensive players, even the great ones, very few cards are focused on their side of the ball. Although I would normally dive into a hate filled rant about this practice, I completely agree with the assumption made by the card companies. Defensive players RARELY carry any sort of value, and its obvious that if the flood gates are opened, there is no stopping them from producing thousands of cards of players like Cortland Finnegan.
Charles Woodson hasnt had autographs almost since his rookie year, so I can see why collectors would chase this card. However, to pay that kind of cash for a corner, just because he plays for the Packers, is ludicrous. Woodson will be a HOFer some day, but there is a limit to his position’s value long term. Let me put it this way, he isnt as famous as Deion Sanders or Troy Polamalu, and once the rest of the stickers that Panini got flood the market, this card wont carry half the weight.
That being said, I do applaud Panini for finding players like this, as I am sure there are some guys out there who deserve an autograph card but dont have a lot. Jared Allen used to be one of those guys, but now its crazy how many he has.
This card could end up in the same boat. Card comapnies do not sign 25 stickers at a signing, they sign a ton.
Before this auto’d card, he has only 1 signature available (if you can find one). It’s a rookie year Bowman autograph. That’s it. So, the gap from 1998 to late 2011 is driving value on these. But, as you said, when they start showing up more commonly, they’ll come back in value. He’s probably still a $50+ autograph, even after they release a bunch, if only for the popularity of the Packers and how good his career has been.
AND this is just a sticker auto! You mentioned Packers fans, but you have to also factor in Heisman and Michigan collectors. Have you seen how much Topps ROH Desmond Howard autos go for? I expect one of the better Woodson patch autos to end up easily over 5 bills.