THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, December 4, 1994 TAG: 9412040239
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C13 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY BRIAN L. BIGELOW, SPECIAL TO THE VP/LS
LENGTH: Short : 38 lines
Who's got the hot basketball cards this year? Without question, it's Grant Hill.
Every season has its dominant rookie superstar. Last year, it was Chris Webber; the year before it was Shaquille O'Neal.
The most prominent debut cards usually belong to the No. 1 draft pick. Grant Hill actually followed Glenn Robinson and Jason Kidd in the draft sequence but, so far, it's been Hill's cards that have generated the most interest within the collecting hobby.
Hill's cards are an example of the tendency of price guides (largely owing to the demands of press-time delay) to lag behind the actual market in reporting card values. His Upper Deck Rookie Card (1994-95 No. 157) lists at $4 in the most widely followed hobby reference. In the ``real world,'' the card sells for $10 or more, and most dealers are willing to pay about $6 apiece. Many collectors feel that the card will soon be a $20 item.
The young Duke alumnus is this year's basketball card phenomenon and speculator's delight. His presence in the 1994-95 basketball sets will help to keep the hobby interesting, and can be relied upon to provide the ``thrill of the chase'' for collectors. MEMO: Brian L. Bigelow is store manager and appraiser for Candl Coins &
Stamps, located on Independence Blvd. and North (Lynnhaven) Mall Drive
in Virginia Beach. ILLUSTRATION: Photo
Grant Hill's cards have drawn the most interest of the 1994
rookies.
by CNB