The Topps Merlin 95 trading card set was released in 1995 by The Topps Company, Inc. It features player cards from the 1994-1995 NBA basketball season and includes a variety of inserts and parallels. As with most trading cards, the retail price can vary greatly depending on factors like condition, print run, and demand. This article will examine the typical retail prices for Topps Merlin 95 cards and packs in today’s market.
Base Set
The main Topps Merlin 95 set consists of 110 cards featuring players from the 1994-1995 NBA season. As a mid-1990s basketball card release, the print run was quite large compared to today’s standards. An unopened 36-pack box of Merlin typically sells for around $30-60. Individual packs can often be found for $1-3 each. Complete base sets in mint or near mint condition generally retail for $10-20. Common player cards in top condition go for under $1. However, rookie cards of star players like Kevin Garnett, Rasheed Wallace, and Jerry Stackhouse command higher prices.
Inserts
In addition to the base set, Topps Merlin featured several inserts including:
– Gold Parallels – The gold parallels were seeded 1 per pack and feature a gold foil treatment of the base card design. These tend to sell for $1-5 each depending on the player.
– All-Stars – The 15-card All-Star insert set has a distinctive design highlighting star players from the previous season. Packs included 1 All-Star card on average. These cards retail for around $1-10 based on the player.
– League Leaders – Distributed approximately 2 per box, the 9-card League Leaders insert set focused on statistical category leaders from 1994-1995. Their value ranges from $1-5 each.
– Super Sophomores – Featuring 20 up-and-coming second year players, the Super Sophomores insert set was relatively scarce at 1 card per box on average. Values are $2-10 based on the player.
– Super Rookies – Among the most sought-after inserts, the Super Rookies featured top NBA newcomers like Jason Kidd, Grant Hill, and Glenn Robinson. With extremely limited print runs, these can sell for $10-50 or more depending on condition and player demand.
Parallels
Some of the priciest Topps Merlin 95 cards are part of special parallel sets that were produced in very limited quantities:
– Electric Gold Parallels (1/180 packs) – The ultra rare Electric Gold parallels have an electric foil treatment and are numbered to 99 copies or less. These can sell for $25-100+ for star players.
– Precious Metal Gems (1/720 packs) – The Precious Metal Gems cards have a shiny silver finish and blue acceleration foil stamp. Numbered to 50 copies, they can command $50-300 based on the player.
– Printing Plates (1/1728 packs) – The extremely scarce Printing Plates parallels are actual printing plates used in the manufacturing process. They can realize $100-500+ as single-of-a-kind collectibles.
Key Rookie Cards
When evaluating Topps Merlin 95 pricing, the key factor is the rookie card. Here are values for some of the top RCs:
– Kevin Garnett – As a Hall of Famer and former MVP, Garnett’s rookie is very desirable. His base RC sells for around $20-50. The Electric Gold parallel can push $200-500.
– Rasheed Wallace – Wallace developed into a 4x NBA All-Star. His base RC is a $10-25 card. The Precious Metal Gems version approaches $100-200.
– Jerry Stackhouse – Once a star for Detroit, Stackhouse’s rookie goes for $5-15 for the base and up to $50-75 for the Electric Gold.
– Antonio McDyess – McDyess had a solid career as an All-Star calibre big man. His base RC is $5-10, with his parallels in the $20-50 range.
– Kurt Thomas – While not a superstar, Thomas had longevity as a role player. His base rookie is just $1-2.
Unopened Boxes & Packs
Because the print run was so large, sealed boxes and packs can still be found at reasonable prices:
– Unopened 36-pack box – $30-60
– Unopened 12-pack box – $10-20
– Single pack – $1-3
Opening older packs is always exciting, but returns are usually not high given the generally low values of base cards and inserts. However, the chance of finding a rare Electric Gold or Precious Metal Gems parallel keeps prospectors searching.
Graded Cards
Having cards professionally graded by companies like PSA or Beckett can significantly increase their market value. Here are typical asking prices for PSA graded examples:
PSA Grade | Base Card Price Range | Key Rookie Card Price Range |
---|---|---|
Gem Mint 10 | $10-50 | $75-500+ |
Mint 9 | $2-20 | $25-200 |
Near Mint-Mint 8 | $1-10 | $10-100 |
Near Mint 7 | $1-5 | $5-50 |
As illustrated, a PSA 10 grade can command 4-5 times the price of an ungraded card. Even lower condition PSA cards sell for a premium.
Best Players & Cards
When looking to buy single cards, these are some of the most popular options:
– Kevin Garnett – His RC plus Electric Gold and Precious Metal Gems parallels are highly coveted.
– Rasheed Wallace – Wallace’s RC has always been in demand along with his parallels.
– Grant Hill – A superstar talent, Grant Hill’s second year cards are popular.
– Jason Kidd – The Electric Gold rookie of the stellar point guard is a top pick.
– Allen Iverson – AI’s rookie was in 1996-97, but his 2nd year cards draw interest.
– Kobe Bryant – Kobe’s rookie wasn’t until 1996-97, but his early base cards are keys.
– Michael Jordan – MJ’s base card and All-Star insert are always sought-after options.
Investment Potential
Like most modern cards, Topps Merlin 95 is not viewed as a major investment product. Values are unlikely to rise substantially in the future. However, key rookies like Kevin Garnett and Kobe Bryant offer some potential upside. Cards that grade PSA 10 also command a large premium versus raw copies. While buying boxes and packs is more gambling than investing, the chance at pulling an extremely rare Electric Gold or Printing Plate parallel keeps prospectors coming back.
Collectability
As a mid-1990s basketball release, Topps Merlin has appeal among collectors of that era. The striking Electric Gold parallels stand out as one of the most memorable card treatments of the decade. Additionally, the strong rookie class led by Garnett and Stackhouse provides draw for player collectors. The ability to still open packs and boxes at relatively affordable prices enhances the product’s collectability. While not a premium set, Topps Merlin 95 offers nostalgia and player/parallel content that keeps the hobby interested over 25 years later.
Conclusion
Topps Merlin basketball cards from 1995 remain widely available and reasonably priced for both collectors and investors. Prices range from under $1 for common base cards up to several hundred dollars for the rarest Kobe Bryant or Kevin Garnett parallels graded PSA 10. While modern boxes and packs can still be found for around $30-60 each, the odds of hitting a major jackpot card are long. However, the iconic Electric Gold and Precious Metal Gems parallels keep prospectors searching through packs year after year. For those seeking single cards of specific stars, Topps Merlin offers a nice selection of Michael Jordan, Grant Hill, Jason Kidd, and more in addition to the strong rookie class. Condition and scarcity play a major role, but the set provides appeal through its striking designs showcasing some of the biggest NBA superstars of the 1990s.