Troy Aikman
Quarterback · Dallas Cowboys
1994 Collector's Choice (Upper Deck) Gold Signature #380
Year & Era
1994 — Junk Wax Era (late)
Card Type
Gold Signature Parallel / Insert
Grade
6.0 (EX-MT) estimated
Rarity
Relative rarity. Collector's Choice was mass-produced, but 'Gold Signature' inserts were seeded 1 per every 36 packs (one per box).
Overall Assessment
A nostalgic mid-90s parallel of an all-time great. Perfect for a Cowboys team collector or an Aikman player completionist, but lacks the high-end rarity for serious investors.
Condition Grade
6.0 (EX-MT) estimated
Centering Assessment
Front: 55/45 Left-to-Right; Top-Bottom appears balanced. Centering is acceptable for the era.
Surface Condition
Near Mint. The foil logo and name stamping show good reflection. Minor surface scuffs typical of matte-finish 90s cardstock are likely.
Corner Condition
Good/Fair. The bottom-right corner shows visible white fraying and rounding. Top-left corner also displays minor softening.
Edge Condition
Excellent. Minor chipping is visible along the bottom edge, which is common for full-bleed photography cards from this era.
Print Quality
High. The Upper Deck Collector's Choice line utilized high-quality photography and gold foil stamping that was superior to basic Topps or Score of the same year.
Estimated Value
$5 - $15 USD. Raw copies generally sell for under $10; high-grade PSA 10 slabs can fetch $50+.
Comparison to Known Examples
This copy is mid-grade. Most '94 Collector's Choice cards suffer from edge chipping and corner wear due to the sensitive paper stock used.
Authentication Tips
Look for the metallic reflectivity in the 'Gold Signature' text and logo. Authentic cards have a crisp, embossed feel to the gold foil and a specific semi-gloss paper stock.
Grading Recommendation
Not recommended for professional grading unless the collector seeks a personal registry set. The cost of grading (PSA/BGS) would likely exceed the market value of the card in this condition.
Red Flags
No significant red flags observed. The card appears to be an authentic 1994 release with natural age-related wear.
Provenance Notes
Originally distributed in 12-card hobby and retail packs. This was an entry-level product designed by Upper Deck to capture the high-volume market.
Historical Context
The card captures Troy Aikman during the Cowboys' 1990s dynasty. Aikman was a 3-time Super Bowl champion and a 2006 Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee.
Market Trends
Stable. 1990s parallels of Hall of Fame quarterbacks like Aikman have a consistent following, though they do not experience the volatility of modern 'hype' cards.
Investment Potential
Low. While Aikman is a legend, the high print volume of the Collector's Choice brand limits significant long-term capital appreciation.
Similar Cards
1994 Collector's Choice Silver Signature parallel; 1994 SP Troy Aikman; 1994 Flair Troy Aikman.
Display & Preservation
Should be placed in a non-PVC penny sleeve and a standard top loader to prevent further corner softening.
Interesting Facts
The Collector's Choice set was notable for using 'Gold' and 'Silver' signatures as the first major chase parallels for the brand, attempting to compete with Topps Gold.