Okay, so I’ve been getting into collecting basketball cards lately, and let me tell you, it’s a wild ride. I decided I wanted to try and get a PSA 10 graded Michael Jordan rookie card – the holy grail, you know?
First, I started by doing a ton of research. I mean, hours and hours of reading forums, watching videos, and basically trying to absorb everything I could about spotting fakes, understanding grading, and knowing what a fair price looked like. It was overwhelming, to be honest.
Then, I began the hunt. I checked out online auction sites, looked at local card shops, and even went to a few card shows. The shows were crazy! So many people, so many cards, and so much pressure. I felt like I was swimming with sharks.
- I saw a few Jordan rookies that looked promising, but I was super nervous.
- One card looked almost perfect, but the seller was asking way too much. It felt fishy.
- Another one had a tiny, tiny crease on the corner that I almost missed. It goes show you have to look with attention, right?
After weeks of searching, I finally found one that seemed like a good candidate. The price was reasonable, and the seller had good feedback. I asked a bunch of questions, requested more pictures, and even asked for a video of the card. Better safe than sorry, right?
Once I got the card, I was so anxious. I examined it under a magnifying glass, compared it to high-resolution images online, and even showed it to a couple of more experienced collectors to get their opinions. The card seems really legit.
The Grading Process
Then came the scary part – sending it off to PSA for grading. I filled out the forms, carefully packaged the card in a special holder, and shipped it off with insurance and tracking. Those were the longest few weeks of my life! I was constantly checking the tracking number and refreshing the PSA website.
Finally, the email arrived. I held my breath and clicked it open… PSA 10! I couldn’t believe it! All that work, all that stress, and it actually paid off. I had a genuine, gem mint Michael Jordan rookie card.
It was a good experience, and show me a path to follow next time.
