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New York Times
2 days ago
- Business
- New York Times
The best Connor McDavid cards to collect: From his first ever to his top NHL rookie cards
Connor McDavid's electrifying speed and goal-scoring ability have made him one of the NHL's most dynamic players since he entered the league in 2015. The Edmonton Oilers superstar has accumulated a long list of individual accolades, having led the league in points in five of his 10 seasons. His reputation as the NHL's best makes his rookie cards highly sought after by collectors. Advertisement During the Oilers' 2025 Stanley Cup playoff run, his one-of-a-kind Upper Deck Ultimate Collection Rookie Patch Autograph card, which includes the NHL shield from his jersey, sold for $305,000 at Heritage Auctions, becoming the most expensive McDavid card ever sold. But if that's a little above your budget, where's the best place to start a McDavid card collection? We've got you covered. (full recommendations below) 2015 Upper Deck Young Guns #201 rookie card The 2015 Upper Deck Young Guns #201 rookie card is my top pick because of its popularity. Upper Deck Young Guns are widely regarded as the gold standard for modern NHL rookie cards, thanks to their high-quality photography and limited printed run compared to highly collected rookie cards from the other major sports. In modern card collecting, there are so many options that it can be tough to know where to begin, but with hockey cards it's much clearer: Young Guns. The value of sports cards can fluctuate for various reasons such as condition, print runs, or graded population. Other factors that can cause prices to go up or down include player performance, market trends, and health of the wider economy. The secondary sales market for individual cards of a given sport generally hits its lowest point during the offseason (in other words, you can usually find better prices in the offseason than during the season). My recommendations are not an attempt to promote specific investment behavior or trading advice, but to guide and inform readers about popular and unique cards that are celebrated by the sports card community. Ultimately, the best cards to collect are always the ones you will enjoy regardless of whether they go up or down in value. The recommendations below should serve as a starting point for cards to consider, but a big part of the fun in collecting is the hunt for the cards you like the most. Cards can come out of the pack (their 'raw' state) with a wide variety of imperfections that can impact their value. Card grading is a process in a which an expert of the field determines the condition of a card based on a number of factors (including corner sharpness, image centering, print imperfections, and more) and assigns a numerical grade, usually on a scale of 1-10 (with the latter being close to perfect) and sealed in a protective case. There are a number of grading companies, each with their own unique grading scales, but PSA (Professional Sports Authenticator) is by far the largest and most prominent in the industry. Cards graded a 'PSA 10' can carry a significant value multiplier compared to raw cards or those graded by other companies. In the case of McDavid rookie cards, however, note that you're likely to find many of them graded by Beckett, since that was a more prominent grading service at that time than it is today. Advertisement It's fine (and often cheaper) to buy cards raw, but if you want to ensure authenticity and/or a minimum condition level and you're not experienced at determining card condition for yourself, you may want to buy a graded card instead — particularly if you're buying online and only able to see the card in photographs. This is a category for collectors who are on a tighter budget or aren't as concerned about the long-term monetary value of the cards they buy. 2015 Upper Deck Star Rookies #1 If you are looking to own an entry-level McDavid rookie card that's modestly priced, I'd consider his card from the 2015 NHL Star Rookies box set. This factory set release wasn't distributed through traditional sealed packs and doesn't feature the usual mix of inserts, variations, or serial-numbered parallels. However, Upper Deck offered rare rookie autograph parallels that were inserted one per case (with 20 boxes per case). PSA 10 graded examples of McDavid's UD Star Rookies card are selling for around $100, and raw sales are between $15-$30. The box set is a fun release to own, whether you collect sets or enjoy submitting raw rookie cards for grading. 2015 Upper Deck Star Rookies sets are guaranteed to include notable rookie cards of McDavid, Mikko Rantanen, Jack Eichel, and Sam Bennett. 2015 Upper Deck Parkhurst #PR1 rookie card Parkhurst has been producing hockey cards since the 1950s, and Upper Deck has carried that torch following its acquisition of the brand in 2005. Parkhurst is a lower-end set release produced using traditional paper stock cards. In 2015, McDavid's Parkhurst #PR1 card was featured in a subset of Parkhurst Rookies that were only available in Walmart Black Friday blaster boxes of Upper Deck Series 1 hockey. Each box had a three-card bonus pack that included three Parkhurst rookie cards. Advertisement According to PSA's grading population report, McDavid's Parkhurst base rookie card has less than 400 PSA 10s in existence. Current PSA 10 sales are in the $250 range. Raw and PSA 9 prices are much more affordable, going for between $30-$60. Parkhurst's rich legacy and the unorthodox release of this card should continue to keep collectors interested in obtaining it. More expensive parallels: Blue (1:3 packs), Red (1:15 packs) This is a category for collectors looking to pay a bit more for cards that have some degree of scarcity and have a better chance at retaining or increasing in value long-term. 2015 O-Pee-Chee Platinum Marquee Rookies #M1 O-Pee-Chee rookie cards have been a cornerstone of hockey collecting since the Canadian-based company began producing NHL cards in the 1930s. Some of the most iconic and valuable O-Pee-Chee rookie cards of all time include those of Wayne Gretzky, Mario Lemieux, and Patrick Roy. Upper Deck acquired the rights to produce O-Pee-Chee branded cards in 2006 and debuted a chrome version of the legendary set, coined 'O-Pee-Chee Platinum' in 2008. Similar to sets like Topps Chrome or Panini Prizm, OPC Platinum offers a variety of colorful refractors and limited edition parallels. McDavid has two different rookie cards in the 2015 release, with 'Marquee Rookies' having the base rookie card designation. The other McDavid rookie card in the set is a retro insert that pays homage to the classic O-Pee-Chee hockey card designs of the past and is worth slightly more in gem mint examples. McDavid's #M1 Marquee Rookies has fewer than 500 PSA 10 graded copies in existence and sells for about $200. Its affordable price, relative scarcity in PSA 10 examples, and status as one of the go-to chrome sets for hockey card collectors make it a great choice. Advertisement In March 2025, McDavid's O-Pee-Chee Platinum Marquee Rookies Gold Seismic Refractor (limited to 50 produced) in a PSA 10 sold on eBay for over $10,000. More expensive parallels: Rainbow, Traxx, White Ice (/199), Red Prism (/149), Black Ice (/99), Blue Cubes (/75), Seismic Gold (/50), Rainbow Purple (/25), Emerald Surge (/10), Golden Treasures (1/1), Printing Plates (1/1) 2015 Upper Deck Artifacts #205 rookie card Upper Deck has been producing Artifacts hockey cards since 2004, featuring autograph and memorabilia cards from a mix of NHL rookies, current stars, and legends. Another unique aspect of the annual Artifacts release is the rookie card redemptions. Due to Artifacts' early release, McDavid and other 2015 draft picks didn't have cards made in time for the set's release and were included as redemption cards. These redemptions were inserted into packs and anyone who found was was able to redeem it for a particular player's rookie card through Upper Deck's website. For collectors who were fortunate enough to pull McDavid's rookie redemption, Upper Deck sent back his Artifacts rookie card, limited to 899 copies, in exchange for the redemption card. Despite its relatively low number of PSA graded versions (around 100), PSA 9 Mint copies typically sell for $150-$200, and PSA 10s in the $600 range. McDavid also has a few Artifacts rookie parallels that are even more limited than the base card and sell for under $500 in mint condition. It's also worth noting that the base rookie card does not include the word 'rookie' on the front, while the parallels have it directly above his head. More expensive parallels: Ruby (/399), Emerald (/99), Sapphire (/85), Gold Spectrum (/25), Black (/5) This is a category for collectors looking to acquire the most desired McDavid cards on the market. 2015 Upper Deck Young Guns #201 rookie card Upper Deck's Young Guns rookie cards are the top choice in modern hockey cards in the premium NHL rookie cards chase. Debuting in 1990, this line has become the most coveted and valuable base rookie cards in professional hockey. In 2015 Upper Deck Hockey Series 1, Young Guns rookie cards appeared on average in one out of every four hobby packs and one out of every five blaster box packs. By limiting the print run of the prized rookie cards, Upper Deck avoids the overproduction that's still an issue in the hobby today. This strategy of short-printing base rookie cards over the last two decades has significantly boosted the long-term value and desirability of Young Guns cards. Advertisement As of this writing, McDavid's Young Guns rookie card in a PSA 10 grade is among the top three most expensive, alongside Sidney Crosby's and Alexander Ovechkin's from 2005. PSA 9 graded examples are currently selling for around $1,000, and raw sales are in the $750 range. If you have the budget and want to make a bigger purchase, PSA 10 copies sell for north of $2,500. If I had to choose one McDavid base rookie card to stash away for the future, it's his 2015 Upper Deck Young Guns. More expensive variations and parallels: Exclusives (/100), High Gloss (/10), Masterpiece Press Plates (1/1) 2015 SP Authentic Future Watch Rookie Autograph #226 One of McDavid's most treasured and valuable rookie autograph cards is from the 2015 SP Authentic release, which is highly regarded and a premier hockey card set renowned for its 'Future Watch' rookie autograph cards. A big reason collectors cherish SP Authentic Future Watch autos is that players sign directly on the card. Unlike many modern autograph cards that have pre-signed stickers applied to the surface, 'on-card' autographs add a more personal touch that collectors appreciate since it means the player physically handled the card itself. McDavid's 2015 Future Watch Autograph #226 is limited to 999 copies, and only 224 have been graded by PSA up to this point. PSA 10 graded examples have recently sold for $10,000-$15,000. 2015 Upper Deck The Cup Rookie Patch Auto #197 The most desired sets for premium rookie patch autograph cards in basketball and football collecting are currently Panini's National Treasures and Flawless. But in hockey, Upper Deck's The Cup reigns supreme. Rookie patch autographs (or 'RPA' for short) are extremely popular among modern collectors because it combines a rookie's signature with game-used or player-worn memorabilia on one card. When talking about high-end RPA's from sets like The Cup, the emphasis on limited print runs compared to other well-known products can also increase the demand and value significantly. Advertisement Depending on the sport, player, set, or parallel, RPA's can command sales in the six-figure range. In McDavid's case, a PSA 10 of his The Cup RPA serial numbered to 99 copies sold on eBay for a jaw-dropping $200,099 in 2022. This is one of the seven-time All-Star's most valuable cards to date and the crown jewel of McDavid's cards. More expensive parallels: Gold Foil (/12) 2009 Quebec Pee-Wee Tournament #910 If you played youth recreational sports growing up like myself, you might recall wearing your uniform for picture day and your parents proudly displaying those photos and trading cards of you around the house. Well it turns out if you become a world-class hockey player, those cards become valuable, and that's what's happened to McDavid's 2009 Quebec Pee-Wee Tournament #910 —his first-ever trading card. The front of the card features a portrait of a 12-year-old McDavid in his York Simcoe Express jersey, with the Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament logo shown in two places. I was surprised to see this early card of McDavid comes in two variations: a base card and a gold foil parallel. However, the foil on the parallel is only along the front bottom edge of the card and may be difficult to spot at a glance. McDavid's base card is currently valued at about $50, and the gold foil has sold for a few hundred dollars in limited transactions in recent years. It's a fun and unique card that marks the beginning of 'The Chosen One's' journey to the NHL. 2015 Upper Deck Full Force Thermal Threats #TTCM rookie card McDavid's 2015 Upper Deck Full Force Thermal Threats insert is one of the weirdest rookie cards you'll ever see. The use of vibrant colors and thermal aesthetic creates a striking look that makes him look like the Human Torch from Marvel's The Fantastic Four. Another cool aspect of this heat-inspired McDavid card is that there are few examples currently graded by PSA. Around 70 copies have been graded, with only 12 Gem Mint PSA 10s in existence. Advertisement Upper Deck produced Full Force sets for only one year in 2015, but luckily, it was released during McDavid's rookie season. Raw versions sell for about $50, and PSA 9's are fetching around $75. Prices for a certain trading card can vary wildly and fluctuate quickly, making it important to check recent sales of a given card to make sure you're buying at a fair value. You can check recent sales of an item on eBay by selecting the 'sold items' filter on search results. You can also run a search on which is a free site that provides sales data from a number of online marketplaces. There are also several apps that provide more in-depth sales data, often charging subscription fees for full access. To account for outliers, it's important to take multiple previous sales into account, not just the single most recent. It's also important to note the recency of those sales and any real-world factors that could affect changes in value. As a second-generation collector, Tyler Holzhammer started collecting cards and attending the National Sports Collectors Convention at 10 years old. He's continued his passion as a collector into a career, providing sports card content and market analysis for companies like Sports Card Investor and Goldin Auctions. Tyler's sports card collection is centered around players from his favorite teams, the Los Angeles Rams and the St. Louis Cardinals. The Athletic maintains full editorial independence in all our coverage. When you click or make purchases through our links, we may earn a commission.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Upper Deck introduces new authentication and security features with Rookie Patch Autographs series
Upper Deck is taking authentication and security to another level when its premier hockey release hits the shelves next week. When 2023-24 The Cup Hockey arrives on June 4, collectors will find the highly coveted Rookie Patch Autographs encapsulated with security features that will allow fans to verify the cards and its patches have not been altered. 'The trading card industry has experienced a massive patch-swapping challenge for years now, where counterfeiters will cut out and swap patches to increase a card's after-market value based on the player or colors of the patch,' Upper Deck president Jason Masherah said. 'Until now, there has been no trusted mechanism to self-verify if a card has been tampered with, and this Rookie Auto Patch Authentication is the first step in tackling this massive industry-wide issue.' Each Rookie Patch Auto in The Cup will be slabbed and photographed. The label on the holder will include a QR code that will lead collectors to a gallery of images of the card from multiple angles. The photos will be housed on The Authority, which was established under Upper Deck's Collect Forever. Upper Deck has been known for adding security features to its products and cards throughout the decades. It was the first company to include a hologram on the backs of cards to reduce counterfeits and also introduced foil wrappers to prevent the resealing of packs. 'Upper Deck was founded on a couple of principles and one was making the best trading card possible. I think the one that gets overlooked a lot was solving the issue of counterfeiting and tampering,' Masherah said. 'We have a long history of trying to fight some of the scammers in the industry, as well as trying to continually innovate.' While slabbing cards is a step to prevent patch altering, it does leave collectors with the question if they want to grade the cards. Collectors would have to remove the cards from The Authority holders to get them into one of their chosen grading company's. However, Masherah hopes the grading companies will incorporate the serial number so that collectors will be able to retain information even if slabbed by a different company. 'I think we're hoping to engage with the grading companies so that they can continue the information, whether they can add it to their labels, whether they can add it to their database, the serial number that we're providing will be able to reference that permanently,' Masherah said. Masherah feels one of the biggest reasons collectors will keep the cards in the original holders will be the big 'U' on the labels, which stands for Uncirculated, meaning no one outside of Upper Deck or the manufacturing team has handled that specific card. Essentially, it's not about the grade, but the authentication. The authentication piece has been a challenge for grading companies. Without a definitive database, there are ways that grading companies have found to determine if a card's patch has been altered. But there is no surefire way to track every single card. That's where Upper Deck's database will come into play. 'We want to put the power into their hands,' Masherah said. 'We really want to be able to catalog it, image it, protect it as it's going through all these processes, and then deliver it to the consumer in a way that is organized and easy to use." While it may seem a little late to have a 2023-24 set out in 2025, Upper Deck held the product back to ensure it gets it right. It wanted fewer redemptions, security features and a product that hockey fans will remember with some of the impressive rookies in that class like Connor Bedard, Luke Hughes, Matthew Knies and more. 'We all know that the Rookie Patch Auto is the biggest rookie card in the hockey industry every year,' Masherah said. 'Especially with '23-24, we knew the importance of the Connor Bedard Rookie Patch Auto. There's a whole crop of really important rookies, whether it's Logan Cooley, whether it's Adam Fantilli, we knew this crop was special and we wanted to do something to protect the integrity of these going forward. I wish we could have implemented this back in 2005 with [Sidney Crosby] and [Alexander] Ovechkin, but I'm happy we're at least here now."
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Upper Deck introduces new authentication and security features with Rookie Patch Autographs series
Upper Deck is taking authentication and security to another level when its premier hockey release hits the shelves next week. When 2023-24 The Cup Hockey arrives on June 4, collectors will find the highly coveted Rookie Patch Autographs encapsulated with security features that will allow fans to verify the cards and its patches have not been altered. 'The trading card industry has experienced a massive patch-swapping challenge for years now, where counterfeiters will cut out and swap patches to increase a card's after-market value based on the player or colors of the patch,' Upper Deck president Jason Masherah said. 'Until now, there has been no trusted mechanism to self-verify if a card has been tampered with, and this Rookie Auto Patch Authentication is the first step in tackling this massive industry-wide issue.' Each Rookie Patch Auto in The Cup will be slabbed and photographed. The label on the holder will include a QR code that will lead collectors to a gallery of images of the card from multiple angles. The photos will be housed on The Authority, which was established under Upper Deck's Collect Forever. Upper Deck has been known for adding security features to its products and cards throughout the decades. It was the first company to include a hologram on the backs of cards to reduce counterfeits and also introduced foil wrappers to prevent the resealing of packs. 'Upper Deck was founded on a couple of principles and one was making the best trading card possible. I think the one that gets overlooked a lot was solving the issue of counterfeiting and tampering,' Masherah said. 'We have a long history of trying to fight some of the scammers in the industry, as well as trying to continually innovate.' While slabbing cards is a step to prevent patch altering, it does leave collectors with the question if they want to grade the cards. Collectors would have to remove the cards from The Authority holders to get them into one of their chosen grading company's. However, Masherah hopes the grading companies will incorporate the serial number so that collectors will be able to retain information even if slabbed by a different company. 'I think we're hoping to engage with the grading companies so that they can continue the information, whether they can add it to their labels, whether they can add it to their database, the serial number that we're providing will be able to reference that permanently,' Masherah said. Masherah feels one of the biggest reasons collectors will keep the cards in the original holders will be the big 'U' on the labels, which stands for Uncirculated, meaning no one outside of Upper Deck or the manufacturing team has handled that specific card. Essentially, it's not about the grade, but the authentication. The authentication piece has been a challenge for grading companies. Without a definitive database, there are ways that grading companies have found to determine if a card's patch has been altered. But there is no surefire way to track every single card. That's where Upper Deck's database will come into play. 'We want to put the power into their hands,' Masherah said. 'We really want to be able to catalog it, image it, protect it as it's going through all these processes, and then deliver it to the consumer in a way that is organized and easy to use." While it may seem a little late to have a 2023-24 set out in 2025, Upper Deck held the product back to ensure it gets it right. It wanted fewer redemptions, security features and a product that hockey fans will remember with some of the impressive rookies in that class like Connor Bedard, Luke Hughes, Matthew Knies and more. 'We all know that the Rookie Patch Auto is the biggest rookie card in the hockey industry every year,' Masherah said. 'Especially with '23-24, we knew the importance of the Connor Bedard Rookie Patch Auto. There's a whole crop of really important rookies, whether it's Logan Cooley, whether it's Adam Fantilli, we knew this crop was special and we wanted to do something to protect the integrity of these going forward. I wish we could have implemented this back in 2005 with [Sidney Crosby] and [Alexander] Ovechkin, but I'm happy we're at least here now."
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Upper Deck Unveils Industry-First Trading Card Authentication for Highly Coveted Rookie Auto Patch Cards
Upper Deck Continues Legacy of Trading Card Innovation With Debut of New Authenticity Feature for 2023-24 Upper Deck The Cup Hockey Trading Card Set CARLSBAD, Calif., May 28, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Upper Deck, the global collectibles company that pioneered the trading card security hologram, today announced it is expanding its industry-leading advances in anti-counterfeit technology with a card authentication feature that safeguards the integrity of its trading cards. As part of the highly anticipated release of the 2023-24 Upper Deck The Cup Hockey on June 4, 2025, this new feature deepens Upper Deck's commitment to security and authenticity by allowing collectors to verify that their Rookie Auto Patch cards have not been tampered with via patch swapping. Upper Deck President Jason Masherah explained: 'The trading card industry has experienced a massive patch swapping challenge for years now, where counterfeiters will cut out and swap patches to increase a card's after-market value based on the player or colors of the patch. Until now, there has been no trusted mechanism to self-verify if a card has been tampered with, and this Rookie Auto Patch Authentication is the first step in tackling this massive industry-wide issue.' The power is placed in the hands of the consumer with this revolutionary authentication service. Each Rookie Auto Patch card in the 2023-24 Upper Deck The Cup Hockey is slabbed, photographed and serial numbered with a QR code, which collectors can scan to view a gallery of images from multiple angles that depict the card as it was originally issued by Upper Deck. This feature is already found within Upper Deck's ecosystem on Collect Forever where uncirculated comic books and figurines are similarly slabbed, imaged and provided a QR code for authentication. Those familiar with Upper Deck's groundbreaking memorabilia authentication system, which set the industry standard in 1992 for ensuring autograph authenticity through a five-step process using recorded hologram IDs and a database for collectors to verify the item's authenticity, will find the Rookie Auto Patch Authentication works in a similar, easy-to-use format. 'This is a game changer for the industry. Collectors have never been in a position to have confidence in a card's authenticity before making a purchase,' said Masherah, who spearheaded this initiative for the company. 'Before you buy an Upper Deck Rookie Auto Patch Card from an auction or a card show, you now have the ability to quickly see on a secure platform whether or not the card remains as we originally created it, without the risk of purchasing a manipulated card or needing to go through the extra step of shipping it to us or a third-party for verification.' Upper Deck's Rookie Auto Patch cards are the most highly chased, high-end rookie cards and typically carry extremely high valuations on the secondary market thanks to their on-card autographs, low numberings, and colorful patches. The 2023-24 Upper Deck The Cup Hockey trading card set will be available for purchase at local Certified Diamond Dealer hobby shops and Authorized Internet Retailers on June 4, 2025. Those who score Rookie Auto Patch cards can visit to test the Upper Deck Rookie Auto Patch Authentication process using The Authority Authenticator. Learn more at About Upper DeckUpper Deck is a global entertainment company creating trading cards, memorabilia, collectibles, games, and online platforms that deliver the experiences collectors crave. Upper Deck has set the unmatched industry standard for quality, authenticity, and innovation, and continues to bring generations of fans closer to their favorite athletes and characters with unique and authentic sports and entertainment product offerings, as well as its digital trading ecosystem. The company prides itself on creating collectibles that produce invaluable experiences for sports and entertainment's most dedicated and loyal fans, with a goal to deliver excellence to the community across the most coveted properties as a means to develop memorable moments for collectors of all kinds. Find more information at or or follow us on Facebook (/UpperDeck), Instagram (UpperDeckSports), X (formerly known as Twitter) (UpperDeckSports), and YouTube (UDvids). Media Contact:Nicole Brief, nicole@ Matt Burkey, matt@ in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Associated Press
7 days ago
- Business
- Associated Press
Upper Deck Unveils Industry-First Trading Card Authentication for Highly Coveted Rookie Auto Patch Cards
CARLSBAD, Calif., May 28, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Upper Deck, the global collectibles company that pioneered the trading card security hologram, today announced it is expanding its industry-leading advances in anti-counterfeit technology with a card authentication feature that safeguards the integrity of its trading cards. As part of the highly anticipated release of the 2023-24 Upper Deck The Cup Hockey on June 4, 2025, this new feature deepens Upper Deck's commitment to security and authenticity by allowing collectors to verify that their Rookie Auto Patch cards have not been tampered with via patch swapping. Upper Deck President Jason Masherah explained: 'The trading card industry has experienced a massive patch swapping challenge for years now, where counterfeiters will cut out and swap patches to increase a card's after-market value based on the player or colors of the patch. Until now, there has been no trusted mechanism to self-verify if a card has been tampered with, and this Rookie Auto Patch Authentication is the first step in tackling this massive industry-wide issue.' The power is placed in the hands of the consumer with this revolutionary authentication service. Each Rookie Auto Patch card in the 2023-24 Upper Deck The Cup Hockey is slabbed, photographed and serial numbered with a QR code, which collectors can scan to view a gallery of images from multiple angles that depict the card as it was originally issued by Upper Deck. This feature is already found within Upper Deck's ecosystem on Collect Forever where uncirculated comic books and figurines are similarly slabbed, imaged and provided a QR code for authentication. Those familiar with Upper Deck's groundbreaking memorabilia authentication system, which set the industry standard in 1992 for ensuring autograph authenticity through a five-step process using recorded hologram IDs and a database for collectors to verify the item's authenticity, will find the Rookie Auto Patch Authentication works in a similar, easy-to-use format. 'This is a game changer for the industry. Collectors have never been in a position to have confidence in a card's authenticity before making a purchase,' said Masherah, who spearheaded this initiative for the company. 'Before you buy an Upper Deck Rookie Auto Patch Card from an auction or a card show, you now have the ability to quickly see on a secure platform whether or not the card remains as we originally created it, without the risk of purchasing a manipulated card or needing to go through the extra step of shipping it to us or a third-party for verification.' Upper Deck's Rookie Auto Patch cards are the most highly chased, high-end rookie cards and typically carry extremely high valuations on the secondary market thanks to their on-card autographs, low numberings, and colorful patches. The 2023-24 Upper Deck The Cup Hockey trading card set will be available for purchase at local Certified Diamond Dealer hobby shops and Authorized Internet Retailers on June 4, 2025. Those who score Rookie Auto Patch cards can visit to test the Upper Deck Rookie Auto Patch Authentication process using The Authority Authenticator. Learn more at About Upper Deck Upper Deck is a global entertainment company creating trading cards, memorabilia, collectibles, games, and online platforms that deliver the experiences collectors crave. Upper Deck has set the unmatched industry standard for quality, authenticity, and innovation, and continues to bring generations of fans closer to their favorite athletes and characters with unique and authentic sports and entertainment product offerings, as well as its digital trading ecosystem. The company prides itself on creating collectibles that produce invaluable experiences for sports and entertainment's most dedicated and loyal fans, with a goal to deliver excellence to the community across the most coveted properties as a means to develop memorable moments for collectors of all kinds. Find more information at or or follow us on Facebook ( /UpperDeck ), Instagram ( UpperDeckSports ), X (formerly known as Twitter) ( UpperDeckSports ), and YouTube ( UDvids ). Media Contact: Nicole Brief, [email protected] Matt Burkey, [email protected]
