Curt Schilling (Note: This is a baseball card, not football, featuring MLB pitcher Curt Schilling)
Starting Pitcher · Philadelphia Phillies
Metal Universe -- Fleer #31
Year & Era
1997 -- Modern Era
Card Type
Base Veteran Card
Grade
Raw -- appears Near Mint to Mint
Rarity
Common base card from a widely produced late-90s mass-market set.
Overall Assessment
A nostalgic 1990s base card in solid raw condition, highly collectible for vintage-90s aesthetic enthusiasts despite being a non-football card submitted to a football card query.
Condition Grade
Raw -- appears Near Mint to Mint
Centering Assessment
Front appears reasonably well-centered within typical tolerances for 1990s Fleer products, approximately 50/50 to 55/45 left-right.
Surface Condition
Appears clean with typical gloss sheen for Metal Universe cards, though minor light scratching is common on this foil-heavy finish.
Corner Condition
Sharp corners with minimal to no visible rounding or whitening under normal lighting.
Edge Condition
Clean edges with standard factory cutting typical of the late 90s Fleer era.
Print Quality
High-gloss chromium-style finish with sharp photography characteristic of the 1997 Fleer Metal Universe design.
Estimated Value
$2 to $5 for raw condition; graded copies in GEM MINT 10 may command slightly more but usually not economically viable for base cards.
Comparison to Known Examples
Consistent with typical well-preserved raw copies from the late 1990s hobby boxes.
Authentication Tips
Look for the distinctive Fleer Metal embossed logo stamp and chromium card stock reflectivity.
Grading Recommendation
Not recommended for professional grading due to low raw market value unless part of a personal registry set.
Red Flags
No significant red flags observed; standard mass-produced base card.
Provenance Notes
Originally distributed via 1997 Fleer Metal Universe baseball wax packs and hobby boxes.
Historical Context
Curt Schilling was one of the dominant postseason starting pitchers of his era, most notably winning World Series titles with the Arizona Diamondbacks and Boston Red Sox.
Market Trends
Stable to modest collector interest driven by 90s nostalgia and player collectors.
Investment Potential
Low investment potential for financial gain; best suited for nostalgic set builders and player collectors.
Similar Cards
1997 Fleer Metal Universe baseball inserts and other base cards of star pitchers from the same era.
Display & Preservation
Store in a standard penny sleeve and top-loader or semi-rigid holder away from direct sunlight and humidity.
Interesting Facts
The 1997 Fleer Metal Universe set is universally praised by collectors for its iconic, futuristic background designs and bold photography.