Barry Sanders
Running Back · Detroit Lions
Score Football ##257
Year & Era
1989 — End of Vintage / Pre-Junk Wax Era
Card Type
Base Rookie Card
Grade
Raw — Appears EX-MT to NM (Estimated 6-7)
Rarity
Common for the era, but high-grade copies (PSA 10) are relatively scarce and highly liquid
Overall Assessment
The 1989 Score Barry Sanders is the most iconic football card of the 1980s and a must-own for Hall of Fame collectors.
Condition Grade
Raw — Appears EX-MT to NM (Estimated 6-7)
Centering Assessment
Front: Approximately 60/40 Top-to-Bottom based on image angle
Surface Condition
Near Mint appearance; no visible creases or wax staining from the low-resolution digital image
Corner Condition
Reasonably sharp, though top-right corner shows potential minor soft white touch
Edge Condition
Clean edges; Score 1989 is known for green borders showing chipping easily
Print Quality
High color saturation; known for the bright green borders which are susceptible to print snow
Estimated Value
$50 - $100 (Raw); $400 - $600 (PSA 9); $2,500+ (PSA 10)
Comparison to Known Examples
Centering appears better than the typical 70/30 shift seen in 1989 Score factory sets
Authentication Tips
Check for 'halftone' dot patterns in the photo and ensure the green border is a solid ink layer
Grading Recommendation
PSA is the industry standard for this card to maximize resale value
Red Flags
No significant red flags observed; however, the image is a thumbnail of a video and not a direct scan
Provenance Notes
Originally distributed in wax packs and factory sets during the 1989 boom
Historical Context
This is widely considered the 'premier' rookie card of the greatest pure runner in NFL history
Market Trends
Stable blue-chip asset; Barry Sanders remains one of the most collected players in history
Investment Potential
Excellent; a cornerstone for any serious football card investment portfolio
Similar Cards
1989 Topps Traded Barry Sanders, 1989 Score Troy Aikman RC, 1989 Score Deion Sanders RC
Display & Preservation
Recommend a UV-protected magnetic one-touch holder or PSA slab for long-term storage
Interesting Facts
The 1989 Score set revolutionized the hobby by moving away from the traditional Topps design