George Pickens
Wide Receiver · Pittsburgh Steelers
Panini Absolute Football #Not visible (Estimated #47 based on set checklist)
Year & Era
2023 — Current/Chrome Era
Card Type
Base Veteran Card
Grade
Raw — appears Excellent-Mint (6-7)
Rarity
Common. This is a standard base card from a high-production retail and hobby set.
Overall Assessment
A standard base veteran card of a talented young receiver. While great for a team set or personal collection, it holds minimal financial value and is in 'played' condition.
Condition Grade
Raw — appears Excellent-Mint (6-7)
Centering Assessment
Front: Approximately 60/40 Top-Bottom and Left-Right. The design of Absolute is asymmetrical, but the borders appear slightly heavy on the left.
Surface Condition
Fair/Good. Notable vertical scratching and print lines visible in the overhead lighting. Darker bottom border shows some light scuffing.
Corner Condition
Top right corner shows visible white chipping and softening. Bottom left corner appears slightly dinged.
Edge Condition
Moderate chipping along the top edge and right side, likely due to the sensitive nature of the card stock color and finish.
Print Quality
Average. The surface shows common Panini production lines and the image saturation is standard for the Absolute brand.
Estimated Value
$0.50 - $2.00 USD (Raw). High-graded PSA 10 copies might reach $15-$20, but this specific copy is unlikely to reach that grade.
Comparison to Known Examples
Below average condition compared to pack-fresh copies due to the visible edge wear and corner softening.
Authentication Tips
Look for the crisp Panini Absolute logo and the correct matte/gloss finish balance. Authentic copies have a specific card stock thickness (35pt).
Grading Recommendation
Not recommended. The cost of grading (approx. $19-$25) significantly exceeds the market value of the card.
Red Flags
No significant red flags regarding authenticity. Damage is consistent with handling or poor storage.
Provenance Notes
Likely pulled from a 2023 Absolute retail blaster box or hanger pack.
Historical Context
Pickens was a 2nd round pick in 2022 known for his highlight-reel catches. This card represents his second-year 'sophomore' campaign.
Market Trends
Pickens is a high-upside player, but value is concentrated in his 2022 Rookie Cards (Prizm, Optic). Base 2nd-year cards like this remain stable at low price points.
Investment Potential
Low. Base non-rookie cards rarely appreciate significantly unless they are 'short prints' or variations.
Similar Cards
2022 Absolute Kaboom (Insert), 2022 Prizm George Pickens RC, 2023 Donruss George Pickens.
Display & Preservation
Recommend a standard penny sleeve and top loader to prevent further edge chipping and corner wear.
Interesting Facts
The 'Absolute' brand is famous for the 'Kaboom!' insert, which is one of the most chased cards in the hobby, making the base cards very plentiful as side effects of those pack rips.