Emmitt Smith
Running Back · Dallas Cowboys
Wild Card #120
Year & Era
1991 — Junk Wax Era
Card Type
Base Card (Non-Stripe)
Grade
Raw — Appears EX-MT 6 (Condition Estimated)
Rarity
Common. Wild Card produced massive quantities in 1991. The base version without stripes is extremely prevalent in the hobby.
Overall Assessment
A classic early-90s era card of a Hall of Fame legend. While common and in modest condition, it remains a nostalgic piece for Dallas Cowboys fans and 90s collectors.
Condition Grade
Raw — Appears EX-MT 6 (Condition Estimated)
Centering Assessment
Front: Approx 70/30 Top-Bottom and 60/40 Left-Right. The photo crop is shifted downward, significantly impacting the borderless aesthetic.
Surface Condition
Fair/Good. The image shows significant glare from the baggy sleeve, making fine scratches hard to see, but there is visible clouding on the surface gloss.
Corner Condition
The bottom-left and bottom-right corners show visible white wear (chipping) and slight rounding, typical of early Wild Card stock.
Edge Condition
Moderate chipping along the bottom edge where the gold banner meets the card border; side edges show minor silvering.
Print Quality
Average for the era. The Wild Card set was known for thinner card stock and inconsistent color saturation, though the image clarity here is decent.
Estimated Value
$1.00 - $3.00 (Raw); graded high-tier (PSA 10) can reach $25-$40, but this copy would not reach that grade.
Comparison to Known Examples
This copy shows more bottom-edge wear than typical 'Pack Fresh' examples and suffers from the common centering issues seen in the 1991 Wild Card run.
Authentication Tips
Look for the specific 'Wild Card' logo foil pattern and the 'NFL Players' logo in the bottom right. Reprints are rare for base cards of this value.
Grading Recommendation
Not recommended for professional grading. The cost of grading exceeds the market value of the card in its current raw state.
Red Flags
No significant red flags observed regarding alterations; the card appears to be an authentic, moderately handled original.
Provenance Notes
Likely sourced from a 1991 Wild Card Jumbo Pack or standard wax box. These were heavily distributed through retail outlets like Walmart and Kmart.
Historical Context
This card was released during Emmitt Smith's second season (year after his Rookie year) as he was emerging as the centerpiece of the Cowboys' 1990s dynasty.
Market Trends
Stable. Emmitt Smith is the NFL's all-time leading rusher, keeping his base cards in demand for 'player collectors,' though the supply remains massive.
Investment Potential
Low. As a base card from the Junk Wax era without a rare 'stripe' designation, it is unlikely to appreciate significantly in value.
Similar Cards
1991 Upper Deck #13, 1991 Pro Set #533, and 1991 Score #310 Emmitt Smith cards.
Display & Preservation
The card is currently in a loose plastic bag/sleeve; it should be moved to a standard 2.5 x 3.5 penny sleeve and a rigid top-loader to prevent further corner dinging.
Interesting Facts
The 1991 Wild Card set was revolutionary for introducing the 'Stripe' parallel system (10, 20, 50, 100, 1000 stripes), which pre-dated the modern 'parallel' craze.