Cris Carter
Wide Receiver · Minnesota Vikings
1994 Collector's Choice Upper Deck #153
Year & Era
1994 — Junk Wax Era
Card Type
Base Veteran Card
Grade
Raw — Appears Excellent (EX) 5
Rarity
Common; mass-produced during the height of the junk wax production era with no scarcity.
Overall Assessment
A classic piece of 90s nostalgia featuring a legendary player, but primarily a collector's item with minimal resale value.
Condition Grade
Raw — Appears Excellent (EX) 5
Centering Assessment
Front centering appears slightly shifted to the left and biased toward the bottom; roughly 60/40 centering.
Surface Condition
Likely contains surface dimples or light scratches typical of high-gloss stock from the mid-90s; there is a visible glare in the photo making assessment difficult.
Corner Condition
Lower right corner shows signs of soft wear; top corners appear slightly blunted.
Edge Condition
White borders show minor chipping and silvering along the cut lines.
Print Quality
Standard mid-90s quality; printing is sharp but the card lacks foil or premium finishes.
Estimated Value
$0.50 - $2.00 (Raw); $15 - $25 (PSA 9/10)
Comparison to Known Examples
This copy appears to be a standard pack-pulled example with typical shelf wear; centering is slightly worse than average for the set.
Authentication Tips
Authentic versions feature a semi-gloss coating and the specific Upper Deck font; counterfeits for base cards of this era are non-existent due to low value.
Grading Recommendation
Not recommended for grading unless sentimental; the cost of grading significantly exceeds the market value of the card.
Red Flags
No significant red flags observed; extremely unlikely to be altered or counterfeited.
Provenance Notes
Originally distributed in retail and hobby wax packs; widely available in bargain bins and large collections.
Historical Context
Cris Carter is a Pro Football Hall of Famer and one of the greatest receivers in NFL history, known for his incredible hands and sideline catches.
Market Trends
Stable/Flat; values for non-rookie base cards of Hall of Famers from this era remain very low.
Investment Potential
Very Low; the high supply and common nature of the card limit long-term financial growth.
Similar Cards
1994 Topps Cris Carter, 1994 Score Cris Carter, 1994 Upper Deck Jerry Rice.
Display & Preservation
Penny sleeve and top-loader; store in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight to prevent fading of the white borders.
Interesting Facts
The 1994 Collector's Choice set was Upper Deck's entry-level brand designed to be affordable for younger collectors.