Cris Carter
Wide Receiver · Minnesota Vikings
Score ##380
Year & Era
1991 — Junk Wax Era
Card Type
Base Veteran Card
Grade
Raw — Appears EX-MT to NM (Approx. 6.5 - 7.5)
Rarity
Common; mass-produced during the height of the hobby's overproduction era. High population exists.
Overall Assessment
A classic 1990s aesthetic card of a legendary Vikings receiver; while not valuable in this condition, it remains a staple for team collectors and HOF enthusiasts.
Condition Grade
Raw — Appears EX-MT to NM (Approx. 6.5 - 7.5)
Centering Assessment
Front: Heavy bias toward the top-right; approximately 35/65 L-R and 40/60 T-B. Back centering unknown.
Surface Condition
Near Mint; minor surface scuffs visible on the purple borders; gloss appears intact but standard production lines are likely present.
Corner Condition
Lower left corner shows slight rounding/softness; upper corners appear relatively sharp for a paper-stock card of this era.
Edge Condition
Minor white chipping visible on the right vertical edge; typical of dark-bordered cards from the early 90s.
Print Quality
Good; colors are vibrant but the image focus is soft/grainy, which was standard for 1991 Score photography.
Estimated Value
$0.50 - $1.50 (Raw); $15 - $25 (PSA 9); $100+ (PSA 10).
Comparison to Known Examples
This copy has poorer centering than typical Gem Mint examples found in registry sets; most high-grade survivors come from factory sets rather than packs.
Authentication Tips
Check for the grainy 'dot matrix' pattern on the purple borders. Authentic copies have distinct card stock thickness and specific purple ink saturation that is difficult to replicate accurately.
Grading Recommendation
SGC or PSA; however, grading is only financially viable if the card is a guaranteed '10' candidate. In this raw state, it is best kept as a binder filler.
Red Flags
No significant red flags observed; this card is rarely counterfeited due to low market value.
Provenance Notes
Commonly found in 36-pack wax boxes and 1991 Score Factory sets distributed through retail and hobby shops.
Historical Context
Cris Carter is a Hall of Fame receiver known for 'only catching touchdowns.' This card captures him during his early breakout years with the Vikings after his release from the Eagles.
Market Trends
Stable but low; HOF wide receivers from the 90s have a high 'nostalgia' floor but saturated supply keeps prices down.
Investment Potential
Low; high supply limits growth. Potential is strictly tied to the overall health of the Hall of Fame vintage market.
Similar Cards
1991 Topps Cris Carter #419, 1991 Upper Deck Cris Carter #389, 1991 Fleer Cris Carter #205.
Display & Preservation
Store in a standard archival-safe penny sleeve and top loader to prevent further edge chipping and surface scratching.
Interesting Facts
Score was the first major brand to use color photography on the back of the cards starting in 1989, forcing Topps and Fleer to upgrade their production quality.