StephenWA Posted December 23, 2023 Share Posted December 23, 2023 I am new to collecting sports cards. I noticed that some cards show an "RC / Rookie Card" logo on them. I had some NBA cards so logo'd, but CGC advised that (and I quote): "Rookie Cards are the first card in a base set with the RC logo on the card. Insert and parallels, regardless of the RC logo, are not eligible for rookie sets" (underlining is mine for emphasis). I have read around the internet, and there seems to be some debate as to the PRECISE definition of a Rookie Card. I know I can look in the Registry "Rookie Player Sets", but there SO MANY players, sets, and cards that are not even listed yet. Please can someone advise me of a simple way to determine HOW I know whether a card is a Rookie Card is eligible for the CGC Registry, or not. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StephenWA Posted October 11 Author Share Posted October 11 On 12/23/2023 at 1:56 PM, StephenWA said: I am new to collecting sports cards. I noticed that some cards show an "RC / Rookie Card" logo on them. I had some NBA cards so logo'd, but CGC advised that (and I quote): "Rookie Cards are the first card in a base set with the RC logo on the card. Insert and parallels, regardless of the RC logo, are not eligible for rookie sets" (underlining is mine for emphasis). I have read around the internet, and there seems to be some debate as to the PRECISE definition of a Rookie Card. I know I can look in the Registry "Rookie Player Sets", but there SO MANY players, sets, and cards that are not even listed yet. Please can someone advise me of a simple way to determine HOW I know whether a card is a Rookie Card is eligible for the CGC Registry, or not. Bump Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redfoxdutchman Posted October 11 Share Posted October 11 Rookie cards have been a disaster since the 1990's, well even the 80's. With CGC registry they list these requirements, "A Rookie card is defined as a player's first base card in a regular issued, fully-licensed card set. It must be a base card and cannot be an insert, parallel, or redemption card." If we are talking current modern cards, anything from Topps or a Now/Instant card wouldn't qualify even if they have a logo. Topps cards are not fully-licensed and Topps Now/Panini Instant cards are not a regular issue. The "RC logo" on the card is not a requirement for a rookie card. Most will have them currently, but this is not what makes a rookie card. If you want a simple way of what is a rookie card, you will unfortunately not get a simple answer. I for one gave up on rookie cards after 1989 because of the insanity. For ultra-modern cards, a rookie card designation is silly at this point. I would rather collect a rarer insert of parallel card instead. I think current collectors will eventually get sick of "RC's" and pay less attention to them as time goes on. StephenWA 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StephenWA Posted Friday at 12:08 PM Author Share Posted Friday at 12:08 PM On 10/11/2024 at 4:55 PM, redfoxdutchman said: Rookie cards have been a disaster since the 1990's, well even the 80's. With CGC registry they list these requirements, "A Rookie card is defined as a player's first base card in a regular issued, fully-licensed card set. It must be a base card and cannot be an insert, parallel, or redemption card." If we are talking current modern cards, anything from Topps or a Now/Instant card wouldn't qualify even if they have a logo. Topps cards are not fully-licensed and Topps Now/Panini Instant cards are not a regular issue. The "RC logo" on the card is not a requirement for a rookie card. Most will have them currently, but this is not what makes a rookie card. If you want a simple way of what is a rookie card, you will unfortunately not get a simple answer. I for one gave up on rookie cards after 1989 because of the insanity. For ultra-modern cards, a rookie card designation is silly at this point. I would rather collect a rarer insert of parallel card instead. I think current collectors will eventually get sick of "RC's" and pay less attention to them as time goes on. Wise words. Thank you Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...