Wayne Gretzky
Center (Note: Though user requested football analysis, this is an iconic hockey card. Gretzky is the NHL's all-time leader in points and goals.) · Los Angeles Kings
Upper Deck Hockey (Base Set) ##211
Year & Era
1993-94 — Junk Wax Era (late period)
Card Type
Base Card / All-Time Goal Scorer Subset
Grade
Estimated PSA 7 (Near Mint) to PSA 8 (NM-MT)
Rarity
Common; printed in massive quantities during the overproduction era of the early 90s.
Overall Assessment
A beautiful mid-career card of the greatest hockey player of all time; high aesthetic value but low financial scarcity.
Condition Grade
Estimated PSA 7 (Near Mint) to PSA 8 (NM-MT)
Centering Assessment
Front centering appears slightly shifted to the left (approx. 45/55) and slightly high (approx. 40/60).
Surface Condition
Near Mint; standard gloss shows no major scratches, though Upper Deck cards of this era are prone to surface dimples.
Corner Condition
Upper-left corner shows a minor touch of white; lower corners appear relatively sharp for a raw card of this age.
Edge Condition
Generally clean; Upper Deck's white borders from 1993 are less prone to chipping than 1991 parallels.
Print Quality
High-quality photography (Upper Deck hallmark) with clean gold-foil stamping for the 'All-Time Goal Scorer' logo.
Estimated Value
$2.00 - $5.00 (Raw), $25.00 - $45.00 (PSA 9), $150.00+ (PSA 10)
Comparison to Known Examples
Standard copy; centering is slightly worse than average PSA 9 population examples.
Authentication Tips
Check for the holofoil logo on the card back and examine the '99' jersey typography for crisp printing under magnification.
Grading Recommendation
SGC or PSA; only recommended if the card is a candidate for a Gem Mint 10, otherwise grading costs exceed market value.
Red Flags
No significant red flags; these cards are rarely forged due to high original supply.
Provenance Notes
Originally distributed in hobby and retail packs; features the 'Silver Season' commemorative for Gretzky's goal record.
Historical Context
Commemorates Gretzky surpassing Gordie Howe for the all-time goal-scoring record during the 1993-94 season.
Market Trends
Stable; Gretzky cards are blue-chip assets, though base cards from the 90s remain affordable entry points for collectors.
Investment Potential
Low for raw copies; Moderate for high-grade (10) graded copies as the 'Great One' remains the safest name in the hobby.
Similar Cards
1993-94 Topps Wayne Gretzky, 1993-94 Parkhurst Wayne Gretzky, 1993-94 Leaf Wayne Gretzky.
Display & Preservation
Penny sleeve and top-loader; store in a cool, dry place to prevent UV fading of the black jersey colors.
Interesting Facts
Gretzky is the only player to have his number (99) retired league-wide; this card captures him in the iconic Kings 'Black and Silver' era.