Some Common Sports Card Printing Errors You May Encounter
Mistakes happen — even when it comes to printing sports cards. Nobody sets out to mess up, but it doesn’t always work out that way. From time to time, we all mess up.
So do machines.
But you probably experienced that today if you encountered the Blue Screen of Death on your computer. Or when your oven decided it wanted to take a Christmas vacation of its own the moment you were readying the turkey.
When it comes to cards, things get messed up from time to time. Sports card printing errors don’t happen all that often when you consider just how many are printed each year. But they do.
However, that doesn’t usually mean you’re going to get rich if you land one.
Production Imperfections
Sports card printing errors usually show up in a few different forms. Normally, these are caused by part of the production chain.
Usually, trading cards are printed in large sheets. These are then cut down. As both cards and the printing process has evolved over the years, it has made some things easier and some a little more complicated.
For a long time, cards were simply printed images and text on card stock. In more recent years, things like foil and holograms have been added. Modern cards can look pretty amazing. But they can also lead to more potential production errors.
New cards or old, both have multiple steps involved. Every time, a new set of potential problems.
Considering the millions of cards printed each year, it’s pretty amazing to think how small the number of problems are. For most collectors, there’s a good chance they don’t ever encounter one in a pack. For others, there can be isolated times when it’s more of a “when it rains it pours” approach and you get several similar errors in the same pack or series of packs.
Most Common Types of Sports Card Printing Errors
Here are some of the most prevalent types of sports card printing errors you may encounter:
Miscut Cards
When card companies are printing cards, the aim is to make like Robin Hood and have things printed dead center. It doesn’t always work out that way. Normally, it’s just a little off, barely visible to the naked eye. Other times, you get cards they are clearly off.
And on rare occasions you get a card that is so messed up that you can’t really tell what the card is because you’ve got two or even an intersection of four cards.
Severely miscut cards were more common in the past. Today, centering is better overall but issues still happen. Needless to say, these cards don’t yield the best results from grading.
Missing Back/Front
Sometimes you find a card that looks perfectly normal on one side but when you flip it over, there’s nothing there.
A couple of things are at play here to consider. Some blank-sided cards are a result of print quirks, particularly from several years ago. It’d be easy to happen if a couple of sheets stuck together.
These types of cards have also surfaced on the secondary market after being cut from sheets after the fact. These sheets were known to be complete only on one side, usually with nothing on the back.
Sometimes blank backs are proofs used as part of the production process that made their way to the secondary market.
Topps also sells blank back sets for a lot of their current sets through the Topps Vault on eBay. These are manufactured intentionally as blank backs and sold as one-of-ones. Think of them as a sort of parallel.
Wrong Back
Sometimes player on the front of the card doesn’t match the one on the front. These are called wrong backs.
When you think about it, this could happen fairly easily. Sheets have a specific layout. If the sheet is off or mixed up, weird things can happen. Like wrong backs.
Some of these cards can be found with appropriate centering on the reverse. However, often, they’re in miscut territory. This varies from set to set.
Missing Foil
With the advent of foil, another step was added to the printing process. With another step comes the possibility of more mistakes.
Cards missing foil on the front are one of the most common mistakes today. Sheets can stick together. Somehow, they can get skipped. When that happens, a card that might have a foil logo or name on the front all of a sudden seems a little naked.
If you’re quickly fanning through a stack, missing foil cards can be easy to miss, especially in sets that don’t use a lot of it in the first place.
For whatever reason, a lot of times, missing foil cards come in bunches. If you buy a blaster, most of the base might be messed up. Or it could be a common theme in a hobby box. Or you could go your entire collecting life without finding any.
Weird or Wonderful?
Errors have a long and storied history in the hobby. However, the majority of those that are widely recognized in the hobby come from things like spelling mistakes and wrong photos — oops moments that happen before a card heads off to the printer.
Generally speaking, sports card printing errors have more of a novelty status. There are exceptions, like the 1990 Topps Frank Thomas No Name on Front. But usually, these kinds of cards are outliers.
By they’re very nature, they’re mistakes that weren’t supposed to happen — like when a fast food restaurant forgets to put the beef patty on your cheese burger. Or when Leonardo’s head falls off the moment you take a Ninja Turtle action figure out of its package.
Many times, collectors look down on printing errors in the sense that they’re not complete. They don’t necessarily fit in with a set you’re building. Despite they’re sharp corners, they’re damaged. So to that end, your best recourse might be to mail them back to the manufacturer and request replacements.
What Are Sports Card Printing Errors Worth?
It’s hard to say what sports card printing errors are worth.
Putting a gauge on what these sorts of errors are worth is tough. Their appeal is largely for player collectors looking to dive deep and get whatever they can. So sometimes, you can find buyers, particularly if it’s a star or an important Rookie Card.
Even then, big money is often the exception. You might get a few dollars if you try to move it. Or it might just sit there. It’s all dependent on who it is and if the right collector comes along. So few are actively looking for printing errors that they’re often the kind of thing you usually stumble upon rather than search out. Some may even avoid printing errors because they’re not as they’re intended. Pinpointing what these kinds of cards might be ‘worth’ is extremely tough to gauge. It’s probably best to keep expectations on the modest side.
To Sell or Not to Sell?
If you land a Mike Trout or Tom Brady mistake, it might be worth your time to try and find a buyer. If it’s a fifth-year card of a 35-year-old reliever in a set you’re working on, replacement might be the better route.
Depending on your take, sports card printing errors can add a little flavor to a break or they can be annoying. Just like a lot of other parts of the hobby, it comes down to preference.
I have a few error cards in my collection. Topps had a hard time one year with Mark Carrier DB Bears and his cousin Mark Carrier WR Bucs. I also have a couple of other players with wrong backs. They are kind of cool and different, but I wouldn’t pay big bucks for any of them. I have seen people pushing error cards on eBay, usually overinflating the value based on rarity.
Back in 2009 I got some O-Pee-Chee Hockey metal (Chrome) cards that the backs were Bowman baseball cards. Got them out of packs. And the next year was when Topps changed who made their Chrome cards.
I have a mistake on my AJ Green card because instead they put a photo of Jermaine Cresham instead of AJ Green and they have all of AJ Greens stats on the back so how much do you think i can get from this card?
John
June 2018 at 2:00
I have twenty six 1993 94 Ultra basketball cards that has is a error card I will name one of them Dennis Rodman on the back and Robert Horry on the front I had these cards since 1992 I love looking at the cards just wondering if they would have any value to them I don’t know
I have a Trout rookie missing foil.
I have a bowman hocley card joe nieuwendyk pictured on front and on back reads pierre turgeon at the top and has number 145 that is not turgeon or nieuwendyk its mike krushelnyski do you know anything about this card…thank you
I have a NFL RE PLAYS Peyton Manning series 3with Eli’s number and name series 2
I don’t have any error cards. However I have Three Wax Pack Wrappers that have errors. Color being the issue. Missing some color, colors, partial color Looks like color worn off, but I think it is the the start of printer running out of ink. Is there any value in these?? Does any one collect this type of error as generally the wrappers are thrown away like most anything else.
I have différent baseball card my mama collected for me , where can i go to sell them
@tyra – It really depends on what you have. If you have a card shop nearby, check in with them first. Here’s an article that has some tips for selling locally through some easy apps and sites: https://www.beckett.com/news/tips-for-buying-selling-your-cards-and-memorabilia-locally/
Where in Houston. Texas i cam sell my baseball cards
I have a 2007 topps #301 adrian peterson rookie card but on the back it says 2010 The Topps Trading Company Inc. Is That a mistake? If so how much can I sell it for?
@Michael – It sounds like you have a reprint insert Topps did in 2010.
i have some 1952/53 baseball cards that a badly damaged they were pasted in a scrap book. are they worth anything about 40 cards no mickey mantle
I Have 2 x michael jordan rookie cards with mistakes both graded 9 by becketts 1 has a small round dot no ink on the cardboard on the back one has an ink line down the front about .02mm
i have quite a few Topps NBA cards 57-58 season. About half (25) are printed upside down on the back.
Does this make them worth more?
Why isn’t the 1957 Hank Aaron card, printed with the negative reversed to show him batting left-handed when he was a right-handed batter considered an error card?
@John – Probably because all are like that.
I have 5 1970 Topps football cards where the backs of the cards also printed on the front. Was this a common occurrence back then? I distinctly remember opening that pack and wondering what the heck happened!
I have a hockey card who was cut at the wrong place 1969 O PEE-CHEE CARD NUMBER 57 Bob Baun. We are able to see the hockey stick(only the shaft) on the left and on the right 4/4 of the shaft. Does this card is more worthy?
John Smoltz card with Tom Glavens picture on front
I have a dave lapoint and a Richard Dotson card half cut cards i believe they are 1988 or 1989 cards. How much do you think they are worth.
1999 Topps Lamar Thomas #48 missing player and team name on the front, the word Topps in the upper right corner is missing approximately 50% of the word. I have both the error card and the correct card. Is it a very common error card? I have not been able to find any information by anyone else about it. Granted it’s his 6th year card so not expecting it to allow me to retire. Just curious about.
@Stephen – Sounds like a missing foil, which are mentioned in the article.
Ryan, just pulled a 93-94 stadium club 1st day issue with scottie pippen on the front and a miscut chris mills on the back. Any idea what the value would be can’t find it anywhere. Thanks.
@Christopher – The article explains why it’s tough to gauge what these sorts of cards might sell for.
1992 Topps basketball Dana Barros incorrectly cut card. It’s cut so the card is tilted left. What do you think if any value it has? I haven’t seen any copy’s of it st least where I’ve been looking.
@John – This article explains why cards like this are tough to get a value on.
I have a Sergei makarov Upper deck card with 2 upper deck holograms on the back of the card. Is that not an error card?
I have roughly three hundred baseball cards with most having blank backs and a few having wrong back for the picture on the front. Are they worth anything. Thanks in advance
@Stan – This article explains why that is tough to tell.
I have a Sage Hit high series autographed Jake Elliott rookie card, but has a authority on the card that is not Jake Elliott’s, it just says AB…not even close. Also, I have a Calvin Ridley 2018 prestige passport memorabilia card that the game worn jersey is off center!! Not sure if these cards would be worth anything or even the amount that the undamaged cards would be, but it really pisses me off when it is a hit card that they messed up on. Then when you try and replace it, they give you the run around. Do you have your receipt? Do you have the box? Do you have the pack it came in? And then they expect you to pay to ship it back to them only for them to tell you that the card is not replaceable due to how old it is.
Just found a Rashaun Woods sp Jersey auto card should be no.201 and mine is no.200 any value?
I just opened a 2019 topps opening day mis-cut mike trout its off pretty bad. Is it worth anything?
I have a 2007 Topps card that has a picture of Mickey Mantle on the front and the back has Edgar Renteria stat info. Both appear to be cut properly just a mix up. It appears to be a Wrong Back error as described in the article. I was thinking it may be worth something as one side is Mickey Mantle….any thoughts?
I have a Topps 50th anniversary Travis Henry Buffalo Bills card. In the information it talks about the GM of the team it has the name of the GM for the Jets football team instead of the Bills football team I was wondering what kind of error card this would be and if there is any way of knowing how many were printed
@Henry – Pretty sure all of them are like that.
I have a 1966 Topps Dick Egan card with the wrong back (#412 Sam Bowens). I have looked around a little and can see nothing reported on this error anywhere. What should I do with this card? Is the best idea to get it graded which would note the error?
Alex
@Alex – You can check with the Beckett Grading team to see if they’re able to include it: https://www.beckett.com/grading/team
Ryan-
I have 2 cards from the 89 Fleer set that represent 1 player, Dan Gladden (#112). He is basically cut in half, with Frank Viola (#127) underneath him, and an unknown Twins pitcher above him. I have scoured the internets looking for any intel on these cards, but no luck. Both cards are ungraded but in mint condition. Any suggestions?? Thanks!
@Andy – It sounds like a mis-cut card, which are mentioned in the article.
Have a Complete Box set that looks different than the others. 1988 Fleer Complete Set found it in a storage unit. Had 11 still wrapped and one that was open. The one open has the “COMPLETE 1988 FLEER SET INSIDE” printed twice on top and the 660 CARDS & 45 STICKERS that should be on top of the box is on the front. Is this worth anything?
I have (two) 2016 Topps hi tech Gary Sanchez Red 3/10 !! Any value?
@Mike – The price guide is available here (subscription required): https://www.beckett.com/price-guides/baseball
That said, it’s not likely priced due to rarity.
I have a 1 only error card #190 Davey Allison In Memory card. The print was overlayed as it was stamped twice. 1st stamp was error in spelling and second stamp was the fix. The error on card was also circled. Any ideas what to do with card or a value? I called the Traks company and spoke with the man that ran stamp machine. He said he remembered the bad sheet with error and apparently they forgot to move the sheet before stamping the sheet. It is a 1 of 1. Only 1 world wide. I thought about auction block.
I have some 1989 Donuss printed on front of card on back the cards according to on the internet are they are 1988 leaf which is printed on back. Are they worth anything
I have a 1999 Upper Deck MVP Michael
Jordan checklist card #220 . The card has a face and other parts of what appears to be Rusty Wallace the race car driver embossed on the front of the card . I did hear that there was a few cards like this from that set with the same embossed front but not a Jordan . I also heard that very few or maybe a hand full made it in to circulation . I’m think this Jordan I have is possibly a 1/1 and the other few are 1/1s also . It must have been caught really early in the printing process . I have never heard anything about this card or cards and i’v had the Jordan sence 1999 .
@Bill – Sounds like a printing mistake.
I have a 2019 Topps series 2 ink error of a local team player the brewers. Number 554 the weird part is error is ink dripped towards the bottoms the red smeared a little.
I have a Michael Jordan Spx 1996 error card with Jerry Stackhouse in the hologram. Does anyone have any idea of what it could be worth? I also have an Allen Iverson Topps Stadium Club that is not focused.
I have a 1992 Ken Griffey, Jr error card. Donruss#165
i have a 17-18 leaf pearl hockey Bill Barilko misprint which stats 8/3.still in original factory sealed case with seal still intact. was wondering what the price on this might be or if there is anyone who might be interested
Back in 1997/8 I bought a pack of skybox got the Kobe Bryant frequent flyer #9 and the whole back was triple printed so I put it in a plastic..for years I looked around and online nothing like it everyones I see is normal..What now? Im up for any Infor..Thanks Frank
I have a 1970 topps (330) miscut Lou Brock baseball card. Great condition. What if any additional value could I expect if I sell?
Hello Ryan Cracknell ……Back in 1997/8 I bought a pack of skybox got the Kobe Bryant frequent flyer #9 and the whole back was triple printed so I put it in a plastic..for years I looked around and online nothing like it everyones I see is normal..What now? Im up for any Infor..Thanks Frank
Hi. I just came across a Roberto Clemente 2989 card. Not similar to what is shown on line
Mine has a crest over the left shoulder. Bronze colored with the name Roberto clemente
1989. Bowman. In near mint condition. How do I find it’s value
Just got a Tom Brady panini Prizm with Baker Mayfield on the back plus it’s up side down. I was a pressman for 22 years so I know the mistake they did and how that happened. Also a Deshaun Watson with earl campbell on the back and Odell Beckham with Peyton manning on the back. It’s pretty cool
I have a 95 pro line classic 307 it has bret favre of greenbay packers on front and rodney hampton of the giants on the back.
I love baseball, and collecting cards just as I enjoy collecting coins. I like errors. I have one baseball card error that I’ve never seen, a 92 Topps card with Stan Belinda pitching and Bret Barberie batting on the front of same card and no back. Can’t seem to find any reference of any other cards similar.
@LJJR76 – It sounds like a mix of a blank back and a double-print on the front.
I actually have 2 days cards I am curious about. One is a 1994 Richard Dent card that says he played for the San Francisco 49ers but the picture and stats are from the Chicago Bears. The other is a 1994 Ken Norton card. The picture and stats are from the Dallas Cowboys but the name says San Francisco 49ers as well. Can anyone help please?
I have a 2007 Upper Deck 179 Frank Thomas Oakland A’s baseball card but the front says Blue Jays and designated hitter and has the blue Jays trademark instead of Oakland A’s trademark. Is this card Worth anything
I have a2005 prestige with tom brady on the front but the back is Kellen Winslow jr. Centered and cut perfect. I also came across some lesser known players as well as a numbered devin Harris rookie yet it has Elgin Baylor’s auto on it #2/25.
i just opened a pack of 2000 skybox dominion, i found a doug flutie card with the name patrick johnson on it from the balitmore ravens. i did a little research and that player wasn’t even in the set of cards that year. the front is a picture of doug flutie and the back has doug fluties stats
I have a 1990 Topps All Star Julio Franco #386 Baseball Card that is totally miscut. Need info.
@Robert – What kind of info are you looking for? This article covers miscut cards.
I have a 1986 mj Fleer premier rookie card but premier is spelled with an e on the end. Does anyone know if this an error card?
I have a 1991 Topps 790 Ken Griffey Jr card that has a blank front and normal back card…and cant find any info or value. I know most cards found have blank backs and not fronts…any info would be appreciated
@Nicholas – Black fronts are addressed in the article as well as why it’s hard to gauge values on cards like these.
I got a Santonio Holmes on the front and Kurt Warner on the back .. Wondering what it’s worth
@Jeremy – The article explains why placing values on things like these can be difficult.
I have a few mixed up hockey cards the first is a 1992 upper deck hockey hero’s card of Wayne Gretzky and Gordie Howe card #20 of 27 which is a miscut …the words Upper Deck on top are 3/4’s cut off and I have 2 or 3 Leaf hockey cards that have mis-prints …the card of John Lecler but the foil printing of leaf and the name are upside down …the name says Teemu Selanne
I have a 2016 WWE Nikki Bella 1/1 Kiss card. However it appears that in 2016 they got Asuka and Nikki Bellas autograph/Kisses mixed up.
Would this make it worth more or less since its a 1/1 anyways?
I believe i have a 1955 #50 jackie robinson that has no color in the back and is missing the letter T in the corner “topps” which jus spells “opps”
Anyone into cards, im no where close
I have a 2015 Juan Perez card, but on the back it has pitching stats and says he’s a pitcher, even though he is a outfielder. Is that worth anything?
I have a question about the 1990 to 1993 upper Deck All-Star weekend card number 424 Shaquille O’Neal I have another one as The identical front as the 424 Shaquille O’Neal card but when you flip it over on the back has number 4 and the summary that’s on the back of the card is different than the one on the 424 card with the identical front anybody tell me anything about this where where I can go to find out about this or what I should do because I have a whole lot of cards thousand-dollar thousands and I have found lots of mess ups that I can’t find anything about online anywhere and I don’t know the first thing about any of that I just know I’ve been collecting for 25 years and I’ve gotten cards from all over the United States from multiple stores and flea markets and I don’t know how to go about registering ones that may not have been found yet or even find any info on thank you you can email me please leave Shaquille O’Neal or something to do with the card in the subject line do to the amount of spam I get so somebody can please help me out I really would appreciate it
1994 Upperdeck no foil names on front, not finding samples online, curious if anyone else has found these. Thanks ;)
i have a George Howard Brett kellogg’s stat card with a copyright date of 1968 but stats from 1973-1982?
I have a Baseball card with the wrong # on the back, But I cannot find it anywhere online ? I was just looking for a guesstimated value. It is a 1990 Bowman Mark McGwire #234. Help me please this situation is so fustration, Im about to pull my last 8 hairs out of my head. Again, thank you for your time and patients.
@Larry – This article explains why figuring out values on cards like this can be tricky.
Have a 2001 Black Diamond Patrick Roy with the stats for Vincent Lacavalier on the back. The front also depicts Lacavalier underneath the foil. The foil is of Patrick Roy. The Lacavalier foil is on the Patrick Roy card. I have both cards. Wondering about grading these error cards. Thanks Dave
@Dave – You can reach members of the grading team directly through this page: https://www.beckett.com/grading/team
They will be able to answer any grading questions you may have.
How much is a card for hank greenerg
@Dorothy – It would depend on which one it is. The price guide is available here (subscription required): https://www.beckett.com/online-price-guide
I have a 2000 Playoff Prestige Kordell Stewart football card 144. The difference is, Kordell’s stats are on the back, and his name is on the front with Playoff Prestige in the upper left hand corner in foil. The front picture is that of Keyshawn Johnson in a Jets uniform. The front also has in white lettering “Traded to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Keyshawn picture is also off center and cut off on the left side by like 1/2”. So this card has double errors.
I’ve had collectors with 30+ years experience look at the card and never seeing it before. What would a card like this be worth and is there a market for something like this?
I have an 1987 Eric Dickerson Topps 146 thats a blurry mess, never thought twice about it til I grabbed all my late 80s/ early 90s paperweights from my parents house and started looking through them.
I have a 2019 Shane Bieber future stars card 271 on the back the top of 271 is missing black ink and it has series . In stead of 1 also above the stats where home town is listed it is not fully stamped and also where 2019 topps is located at the bottom is missing ink spotting
I have 2 95-95 Eric Desjardins upper deck hockey cards. 1 is of normal size and unflawed. the other one is the same size as the normal card but is only a border, (its entire middle picture is stamped out). The border is a few millimeters wide and from that I can discern that is in fact an Eric Desjardins card from 95-96.
The strangest part of this card is that it is just a border, (like a picture frame without a picture) and it is the same size as all other normal cards meaning that the stamped out middle section is smaller than a normal upper deck hockey card, How did this happen?
I just found a 1993 Topps Joe Montana #200 with no name on front and a ToppsGold and Warren Moon Stamp on back.. have not see any like this was thinking about sending it in to get graded. Would they even grade this card?
I have a 2004-05 Upper Deck First Class Rookies Pro Sigs NBA card Shaun Livingston misprint card where the front has nothing but Shaun’s picture (no signature), but on the back it has Luol Deng’s Pro Sigs information. Anyone ever see this card before?
I have a ’93 Skybox Shaq with #155 missing on the back. How rare is this?
Hey, Ryan. Its been years. Going through my cards today, I came across something I have never seen before. A 1987 Jose Canseco card with the tops logo very misprinted. Just the logo. Looks like maybe a printing error? Can you help me out in finding out what kind of error this is and obviously if anyone alsenhas seen this. Wish we could upload pics. I appreciate your time. Happy Holidays. Hope all is well. Thank you.
Sometimes they make so many errors that by the time they catch it the right card has a less production number than the error…
I remember that from a 1989 card, they made more error cards than the correct card.
M
I just bought a 1996 topps rookie kobe card and while trying to evaluate its good condition (planned to have it graded at first), i noticed the foil label on both topps and kobe bryant too low than where they should be. Everything is in place and well-centered except for the foil labels. Does this make the card more valuable? LoL
I have a clyde drexler card with a image of clyde drexler then the name says spudd web and the kings. On the back it is a normal clyde drexler card but again on the fron the 93 – 94 fleet ultra is on the wrong side of the card???
We have a wrong back we cannot find anywhere on the internet. It is a “Measures of Greatness” Topps Baseball card 1994 with Wade Boggs on the back (603) and Ken Griffey Jr. on the front (606). Interested if anyone has seen this anywhere before.
I have a Ken Griffey Jr. 2013 pinnacle awaiting the call insert with the top left corner cut off and a notch on the left side towards the bottom i cant find anything like it. Any input would be awesome. Just got back into collecting so i am lost lol
@Jeremy – It sounds like it’s a die-cut parallel: https://www.beckett.com/search/?term=2013+pinnacle+griffey&year_start=2013
I have a 1989 Upper Deck John Kruk that does not have his name on front. It is well centered so I feel it’s not the cut issue reported for card, this just has no name. Is this a known error or am I sitting on a rarer error?
I have a similar error as j
JAXON except mine has clyde drexler on one side and Derrick colman on the other,it’s definitely some kind of misprint because there are even errors in the ink and pictures it’s pretty cool
I have a BGS 9 2006-2007 Bowman Chrome LeBron James no.22. The error is that it has a chrome border? I can’t find any others anywhere. I know that they make the black base, and refractor variations… but this is neither of those. I have taken it to card shops and they say it’s not worth that much but have offered me up to 200 for it. I figure if they will buy it for 200 it has to be worth more? Has any one arm another chrome bordered 2006 Bowman Chrome card?
I have three 1993 Upper Deck cards that are miscut. Brent Gates, Tyler Green & Troy Percival. I can’t find the value on these cards anywhere. Can you point me in the right direction? I’d like to sell if it’s worth it.
Way back in 1990 I got some misprinted whole sheets of hoops cards with Jordon on the Front and Robert Parish on the back. I cut a couple of them out by hand but the rest were destroyed in a basement flood. If I can get them cut to size would they be worth anything.
do you know anything about 1992 upper deck football error on the #437 steve jordan card having ricky watters on the front. thanks
It’s a wrong back, which is described in the article.
Ryan, Thanks for a great article. Been hanging on to a Kevin Garnett Rookie card my son got in a pack of cards back in 1995 or 1996. It appears to be a “wrong back” with Carlos Rogers on the back. Kevin Garnett Rookie seems important but based on your article it may not have much value.
thanks Mike
@Mike – They’re novelties. Some like them. Being a rookie of a Hall of Famer, you might find someone who is will to pay a premium.
I have a T207 John Kling with Recruit Cigar printed in PA in 1912. It’s in very good condition but it was printed crooked. I haven’t seen any cards online of this era with this anomaly. No idea if that adds or takes value away.
What can you say about 1998 Peyton Manning SP RC Die Cut with the serial number hand written in Silver Ink instead of it being machine stamped. 378/500.
Would cards with the wrong Autograph sticker be worth anything? I’ve came across 2 I have a Jared Pinkney XR card with Eno Benjamin’s auto, and now a Jake Fromm Phoenix Card with Jacob Easons Auto.
I have 2000 bowman chrome football cards of sp rookies /499 but they have no serial #’s
are these considered replacement cards or are they cards that should have never got out
Hey Ryan, great article, i have a card that i bet you’ve never seen and kind of makes no sense wondering if you could offer your thoughts, its a 92-93 UD jordan (#23) it has the golden Bulls up top but on the bottom it has “Hes back – March 19, 1995” in gold letters just like the 93-94 UD Jordan Card (also #23) although that card has it on top. i dont understand how my 92-93 could have hes back so early.
(ps there issomeone sellign a diff type of error but same card (missing godlen Bulls) right on e bay for a ridicooous amount)
thanks for yoru thoughts
I’m not sure. It’s possible Upper Deck could have done some buybacks or reprints. Also perhaps someone did it themselves as an after-market thing on their own. I’m just not familiar off the top of my head.
I have a 09-10 Upper Deck Kobe Bryant card where it is Kobe picture on front and his stats and everything on the back. But the front of the card has Von Wafers name not Kobe Bryant. Should I look into getting it graded?
@Mike – That’s a personal choice.
Kudos to Ryan for managing these churlish comments in such a genteel manner.
The 1998 Ultra Peyton Manning Rookie card and Ryan Leaf Rookie cards. There birthdays are switched on the card. Has anyone ever noticed this? I cannot find any information on this. I’ve noticed this for years. Manning has Leafs birthday on his card and Leaf has Mannings birthday on his. Any comments?
I have a chris benoit event worn error card with chris on front and a piece of chris worn shirt or whatever on front and wrong back and the backs upside down it says its trish stratus event worn card but its clearly benoit on front and his event worn not Trish
Hi I’m Tim and I have a Jeff pico 1990 with nothing on the back is it worth anything.
@Tim – It’s hard to say. The section in this article “What Are Sports Card Printing Errors Worth?” explains.
Hey, I’m new. Ha! I’m old, with lots of cards, having fun, so back in to it. I receive Panini cards off line that are turned every which way. Is this common for this company?
Deb Seeton again, some were actually face to face. As I open my Topps, the difference is unbelievable.
Baseball cards
Again Ryan…Deb Seeton. I apologize if I have reached out to the wrong person to ask. I’ve read your comments, obviously, you don’t want quirky questions, which mine probably was. I will keep looking….and enjoying. Thank you. I’m thinking I must need the Beckett guide.
@Deb – I’m sorry but I’m not clear on what you’re looking for help with exactly.
I’m in need of help. I have a 1999 Collector’s Edge Masters Sentinal Peyton Manning but it has no serial number in the box on the back of the card. I have researched it for some time now but found nothing. I did find however a similar card but of Dan Marino, but that’s all. Do yo know anything or have any information about this card? Thank you
I have a 88 tops card with nothing printed on the back…
I have a 1990 Donruss mark mcqwire card ( the one with red trim) that has an error. The picture is totally of center, and you can see at the top where at one time was Connected via perforated lines to another card. MT-condition.. anyone know what that values at, i’ve seen the same card having color errors on bottom corner go for $4,999 and was curious if I have something here… thanks.
Please help I have a 2017 donruss with mike pizza on the front and frank Thomas on the back. I have no clue on how to asses value.
@Jon – There is a section in the article dedicated to why estimating values on printing errors is difficult.
I’ve got a 98 topps roberto clemente tribute card with no gold foil. If you look at it with a magnifier you can see where it started to print, also in the corner where the copper is supposed to be samething..
i have a 1991 ud ken griffey jr card with the hologram on the front, five other cards from the pack also came this way.can you help me with pricing. these cards are raw and just like they came from the pack in 1991. thank you for being here to help the great hobby of ours.
@william – There is a section in this article under the headline “What Are Sports Card Printing Errors Worth?” that explains why it can be tough to gauge. Because it’s Griffey, you’re more likely to find interest but it’s tough to say what it might sell for.
Hey, I use to collect baseball cards back in the 90’s. I ended up getting a weird card which I assume is a defect. It’s a card of a pitcher (forgot the name cause its been in storage for years) and he has a blur double of himself coming out of his body, kinda like a spirit just leaving the body type effect. Decided to keep it because I wasn’t sure if it would be worth something. Just wondering if anybody else found anything like that?
I have 10 Topps cards that are blank on the back. Looks like maybe they were printed early 80s
Hi this is Ronnie Wilkerson I have a 1991 Fleer card 369 and card 363 there Fleer it’s with brown Xavier Hernandez Rafael Ramirez they’re all overlap together on two different cards so I have two cards to people’s faces on one card with the staffs that should be on the back or on the front ones upside down and went straight up on card 369 Jerry Brown and there is no back on them Stacks that should be on the back are protruding to the front with both people’s faces and their kind of distorted a little bit can you help me out Fleer 91 card 369 363 Brook Jacoby Jerry Brown Xavier Hernandez and Rafael Ramirez the all overlap the face and they’re both upside down and there’s no back thank you
Hi I have a Ken Griffey jr. hologram card that has the same hologramed picture on both sides. How do I go about getting a value on it. Ive searched online and found nothing. Is there someone I can contact to head me in the right direction. Thank you
I have 1987 All Star Eric Davis with no back imprint
I have stack of fleer 90 football cards and the cuts are all off what does that mean and they not in perfect condition
@Ryan – They’re miscuts, which are covered in this article.
I have 2 1995 upperdeck pat swilling #150 cards that I believe that both of them are double stamped error cards. On both cards his name and the line underneath his name looked to be stamped twice. As well as the upper deck logo in the top left hand corner and 1 of the upperdeck stamps is covering up the tm after the logo
I have a 2010 Topps Baseball card the word Topps at the topp is spelled funny the “T” the bottom of it streghtes under the whole word.has anyone seen this?
Has anyone seen a 1990 Bowman Ernie Riles Card with a Pedro Guerrero #201 Wrong back.
I have twelve leaf, inc. cards missing the point.
Are they considered to be an error card?
I have a NFL Pro Set Super Bowl Supermen Winston Hill T – Jets card that’s blank on the back. Looks like Super Bowl 25 (XXV). It had belonged to one of my three brothers, which are no longer with us. If this card is worth any thing please let me know. I’m sure my brother’s would like it to help me since I’m disabled.
Thank you in advance.
There’s a section in this article that explains why it can be tough to pinpoint prices for printing errors as they have very niche appeal.
I have a Lou Piniella card # 669. I’ve read that there is a mistake with a hidden “w”. Is the hidden W caused by on the back the spelling of TEAM has the T and E messed together looking like a W while the other letters are spaced. Is this the hidden “W”?
I have a 1993-94 Fleer Ultra Michael Jordan card with a miscut error. (Half of his name is cut off, along with his foot. And on the reverse, a small portion of what would have been the next card on the sheet) I cannot find any other error like this on this particular card. I’m starting to think it’s one of a kind. I’d like to sell it but have no clue where to start. Any suggestions? Thoughts as far as value?
Thanks.
This article addresses why it’s tricky to gauge a value on misprints.
Can anybody help me please I have a basketball card I it has a player called Jonathan kuminga rookie card and on the back it has Chris Durant have you ever seen anything like that it’s a misprint of course can anybody tell me anything about it is a Prizm card and where would I take it I live in the Riverview Tampa Florida area thank you for any help
It sounds like a Wrong Back, which are mentioned in the article.
I picked up a Topps Ernie Banks error card in a trade about 5 years ago. It is a 2013 Topps Ernie Banks Commemorative MVP Plate Card. The error is on the plate as it says “Most Valuable Player AMERICAN LEAGUE”. Ernie Banks played for the Chicago Cubs in the National League his entire career. I don’t know how many of this error card exist, all I know is that I have never seen one for sale on EBAY or any other similar website.
Could anyone tell me anything about the value of this error card?
So I think I discovered a spelling error for Upper Decks 2020-2021 Allure Red Rainbow Auto cards. Only on some of the Red Rainbow Auto prints, but not all the word Rainbow on the back is spelled “Rainow”……. I think Avs will win The Cup this year, and got a good price for some Boham Byram Red Rainbow Auto rookies that are #/199, all 4 have the misprint. With them being hard signed Auto, would Upper Deck replace them? Should I try to get them replaced even. I also saw a Andrei Vasilevskiy on eBay that was graded 10 with the misspelled word. Shouldn’t that have been caught and lowered grade??
I have a Frank Thomas card with the T missing from his last name on the front.
Pinnacle #1 from 1993. Any idea if there are others? I can send a pic if needed. My local sports card store said check eBay—I found no others.
I have a 1990 Pro Set Card with Joe Montana player of the year on one side and Barry Sanders rookie of the year on the other side. Any idea what the value would be?
I was going through my collection of cards, and I think I found an error variation regarding the 92-93 Michael Jordan “In Your Face” card. I noticed that Michael Jordan’s typed name is not shown under the bold letters “In your Face” on the front of the card. I also noticed a gold stamp “He’s back March 19, 1995”. Has anyone come across this error? I’m not sure who I can ask for verification.
I have the Texas rangers Nolan Ryan 5000k card one of the series. It says on the back that he played at the Texas stadium. Which was the cowboy stadium
Out of my small collection I have like 12 baseball cards with gold numbers on them. Like, one is 15/30 and another 30/50. Idk the players names off hand. Do those numbers mean it’s one of 30, total in the world? Bc I think I understand sometimes a deck will have those numbers printed on them in black, but those are on every deck ever made.
It depends on the card. Some it would be a serial number (typically hand written or done in foil). Some sets also use that as a way of showing the set number.
I have a 1988 Cal Ripken Jr and 1988 Mark McGuire both look like the were double printed or off somehow I’ve looked all over for other examples of them but can’t find anything. Is this rare and are they worth anything? Any info on this would be helpful. Thank you.
Sonia it sounds like you have what they call a short print which means it’s card# 15 out of 30 printed and the card #30 out of 50 printed if they are in gold letters which is good depending of the player they should also have a reg card numbering if so you should take it to a collector
Any card that is gold numbered #01/25 -#25/25 is considered super short print means only 25 printed compared to thousands if you look up #1/1 on the internet or eBay those cards are really rare and worth alot
Some cards like 2021 sage premier Charles Snowden linebacker for Virginia has picture of louisville running back on the front nobody has any metion of it being an error but if I was Charles Snowden I would have said something lol even though it’s a low caliber set it’s still my rookie card with someone else Pic
I have a 1998 Upper Deck Michael Jordan Living Legends #159 card shows MJ playing the Sonics with the Logo of the Old Sonics, but the wording says, “Vs Lakers”. I’ve seen the same card with the correct print “Vs Sonics.”
I have a quinn Buckner nba hoops card . No border on front or back . Back is missing all information trademarks dates and and the biography from about halfway down . Any info?
I have a Kevin Garnett rookie card but the back is Hakeem Olajuwon. It’s in perfect condition. How do you find out a value?
I have a joe burrow rookie press proof yellow that has offset foil stamping of his name and donruss logo. I wish i could find info on this because so far theres only one other one and its a blue press proof with identical mistakes.
Hi my name is TJ and I’ve written you before and no reply aren’t I special too ?
Hey I have a ud 2008-09 trilogy frozen in time Henrik Zetterberg it’s a short print it says 235/75. So I was wondering if this is rare?
To go along with the missing foil are the Refractor cards Topps puts out. I have a couple of late 90s cards that say refractor on the back but you can’t tell they are refractor cards on the front. They look like the base cards. When I pulled those…..25 years ago…… (man I’m old) I was so confused and frustrated. It’s a good thing they were just common refractors.
I have the whole series of leaf 1989 baseball cards with multiple errors one every card what are they worth
I have a Michael Jordan error card where his name is missing where gold foil would be – 1995-1996 hoops – card 21 – I remember getting that out of the package day I got it- It went into a plastic sleeve. Been nervous of getting that graded.
I have some 1991 upper deck baseball cards and some of them have the copyright logo and say (1990 The Upper Deck Co Printed in USA). The other ones say (1990 The Upper Deck Co. Printed in USA). Is that a common thing or an error. I have some errors that don’t have the dot after Inc and I know those for sure are errors.
I have a 2019 Panini Impact Unparalleled of rookie Marquise Brown 27/75 auto and quad color patch guaranteed by Panini. Unfortunately, the auto is not of “Hollywood” it appears to be Parris Campbell. Do I try to sale or see if Panini would replace?
You could. But given that the card is several years old now, they may not. Because it’s a mixed up autograph, they may. You’d need to reach out to them.
I have a 1992 upper deck Ricky Watters, but on the back it’s got Steve Jordan stats and info. Probably no big deal but I’ve had this card for a while, just curious
I have some 1992 Topps baseball cards with errors. Does anybody know how common that is ? Most of the errors are little yellow circles.
They are printing mistakes. Most consider it to be surface damage and lower grade.
I have a Topps 2004 Rocco Baldelli. It is gold but not chrome. It is gold like the chrome card, as in the front is gold in color. It has the topps logo above the topps gold rookie cup. On the back it is card 240. It is copyright 2003 and is numbered 15/2004. It is also missing the team name, player name, the player # in the lower left corner. Only wording is small type in silver that says 53 years of collecting. The only gold baldelli card I can find is chrome. The 2004 topps is white, not numbered and does not have 53 years of collecting on it.
I have a 1998 Peyton Manning odyssey preview rookie card with Kordell Stewart’s name stamped on the front.
I have a mike woods emerald football card that has a rookie sized photo on the back but instead of rookie it says wild card round. It’s very strange and I can’t find a duplicate anywhere online.
I have a select 2022 Johnny bench error card I just pulled with the wrong back
I read that company’s didn’t start making refractor until sometime between 91-93. And also didn’t always have it printed on the back like the do nowadays. Anyhow, I have a 2001 Topps Chome #153 Alex Rodriguez that I believe is refractor but it is also a misprint and miscut. Think it would be worth sending in. I’d say it would grade 9 without those mistakes. Any advice? Also, thanks for the information above as well.
Need info on a 1996 Upper deck sp #17 card of Michael Jordan..It’s a error card..On the back it shows Jordan..But on the front of the card it has a hockey player over Jordan’s image and has the hockey players name at the top.
It’s a printing mistake. Explained in this article. Basically a wrong back.
I have a 2023 Score Base Card of Sam Howell .The rest of score 2023 cards are all in yellow print but the card I have what do 8 need to do to report error card(s) thanks
I have a 1988 tom herr sticker super star backs #4 looks to have been printed twice on the card.
1996 fleer skybox Gary Payton honor roll card that is misprinted / miscut right of center and on the left side of the card there are and about ten different colored boxes (black, gray, pink, blue, yellow, etc.) Above the little colored boxes in small print are percentages and above those it says doubling above it. Can’t find anything like it online
I have an error card that I have for over 20yrs. The 2000 topps gold label kurt warner class 2 no card number, no football stats, no copy rights. It has dob, height weight, and where he is from. All examples of this card, has the normal card back. So far, I’m the only one that has this error. If you know of anyone that has this error please keep me informed. By the way the card has been graded by cgs/cgc, 8.5 graded
I have a card #103 from 2001 fleer game time football Culplepper. The parallel “EXTRA” card is normal but the back of the base card only has the bio info and the two years of stats and the card number and other than that no color either, completely white. no fleer/year logo, no NFL logo, no licensing info. know anything about this? Thanks
Prestige 2023 Justin Jefferson card TS-6 (Time Stamped) – Why is Spectacular spelled “Spectaculor”? Was that on purpose for some reason?
I am seeing tons of hype over the Topps 1990 Ken Griffey Jr. Gold Cup Rookie. EBay sellers, backed by Authenticity Gaurantee, listing this “Bloody Scar Error” and asking up to $30k. Most ungraded. Some even appear to be card shops and have 98%+ positive ratings. Is there really any legitimate error with this card? I have one, Graded PSA 9.
I have a 1998 Topps Ken Griffey Jr. rookie card everything is correct on the back with no picture on the front. Any thoughts?
I pulled 33 Michael Jordan SP1 cards from a box of 1991 Upper Deck baseball. I was a kid with my mom at the then-Price Club in Phoenix, AZ …how ironic? 2 years later Jordan and his Bills broke our hearts when they beat our Suns in the ’93 Finals.
There was an enormous pallet of boxes, and of course my mom was like, they print so many of these…I took one at random off of the top.
Too bad we didn’t have a video camera back then. But, I don’t think I would’ve started recording until several Jordans in because I swore the one I pulled at that moment would be my last.
Majority were centered, too. Maybe you sports cards buffs who know way more about the industry than I do don’t think much of this, but for me it was wild.