Marvel Card Prices are Tanking

[astroshane]

and go.....

Having spent a great deal time and money collecting Marvel Cards between 2019 and 2024 I have found the prices have dropped significantly and continue to decline heavily in 2024. This has applied across the board in all areas including; 2016 Marvel Masterpieces, PSA 10 Marvel MU, Marvel PMGs, etc.

I still collect but am seriously wondering if we have yet to hit the bottom? In my opinion, this creates an atmosphere where collectors (including myself) are reluctant to pay certain prices for cards of interest. The current landscape feels like a bit of a race to the bottom.

[mjohnatgt]

It's still got a bit to go, because we're expecting that UD ePack will probably liquidate Marvel cards on their site once they no longer have the license.

[finfangfan]

Upper Deck glut of Marvel products over last 18 months didn’t help for sure. Add Topps Chrome EU to the mix (which is kind of a beta release for Topps as it basically serves as a nice bridge before Topps releases sets under their global Marvel license in 2025) and there is just too much modern Marvel to collect.

I also agree with mjohn that there is at least a perception among collectors that we are pretty close to seeing a mass ePack clearance sale on Marvel products. Whether or not this proves to be true is anyone’s guess but I think it’s safe to save at least a little funds aside to cash in on the vulture buys if they do prove to be true.

I’d recommend buying vintage Marvel if you are afraid the current crop of sets is going to be heavily discounted within the next few months.

[PoPCulture]

Just bad timing. 2019-2022 was probably the worst time in history (on a cost basis) to build a collection. I do think prices will continue to go lower but when Topps takes the reins I think the rare UD cards will see a steady incline for years. Unless Fanatics acquires the Fleer/Skybox brands, which I’m sure they will try to do.

[Xiarmadillo]

So called "high end" has a way to go yet in my opinion, both short printed key modern as well as high graded in general.

All the investors/speculators crowding in 2020-21 on those as well as certain shenanigans

If you think this correction is bad, wait until it happens to sports cards....

Anyhow, from a perspective of a collector, I am sorry you spent alot of money and now they are worth less (in the market)....but my question why even trying to pick the bottom (just like why trying to chase the top)
Now is a great time to pick up cards...if general prices go down and down alot, I spend MORE on cards, than if the market is frothing and high.... Hell I havent bought a sportscard in years

[DynaEtch]

While this is true, it needs to be qualified. Most of those things you’re saying- PMGs, 90MU PSA 10’s, and MM BSGs were heavily targeted during the pandemic. And have come way down. What isnt getting quite as clobbered in Marvel right now? Stuff with more organic value, key cards, and vintage wax. I’ll give some examples: 1996 Marvel Masterpieces base set, 1995MM mirages, sketch cards, Spidey green PMGs, 1995MM sealed boxes. Note that PSA 10 MU holograms have sold off the charts, and continue to (talking up to $10k), because 1. they are legitimately rare, and 2. there’s only 5 of them and that’s that…iconic cards of the hobby.

You know what hurt MM16 values especially recently imo? UD coming out with MM XL. I predicted this in the MM XL thread and others disagreed (due to different card size, reprint, etc), but I think we’re already seeing the effect. People are almost numb to the flood of these cards hitting eBay now- tons of it from MM XL that look otherwise the same as MM16…tier 4 left and right since theyre now common…..it just swamps the MM16 set completely, basically supersedes it in interest at the moment. Having that set out did NO favors for MM16. UD made our limited collectible cards less valuable in pulling that money grab. On the other hand it's a boon for collectors who want to spend less.

The upcoming Fanatics change *might* help UD era cards in terms of value since it stops the glut of PMGs, Jambas, Medallions, BSGs, etc. If future sets are gonna be like Marvel Chrome, nostalgic UD era cards may increase in organic value.

[finfangfan]

I have a hard time thinking anyone will ever be nostalgic for COVID-era Marvel cards. I mean most of the nostalgia of the Marvel card hobby is still tied to the 90’s sets when the current collector base was largely kids.

I don’t think too many kids entered the Marvel hobby during COVID (at least I don’t think it was kids that were driving up box prices during COVID 2-3x the cost of boxes pre-COVID boom). Rather, it seems like COVID price spike was driven by the existing adult collector that now seems to be a bit choosier as to what they spend money. There are way more Marvel products to choose from now than there were peak COVID.

[DynaEtch]

When looking at the market and prices, it helps to step back and look at…what are people in the hobby actually collecting these days? That is stuff that will hold more value.

-Character collectors, particularly the top usual suspects…Spidey, Wolverine, Venom, Deadpool. Indeed, even recently we see 2024 Metal Avengers green PMG ebay sales of Wolvie and Spidey around $13,000, and also in the $7,000 range. That’s a lot. Even Iron Man is showing a PMG green sale of $6,000.

-Sketch collectors. This has been tried and true, and pretty steady before, during, and after the pandemic. There is always a market for good quality sketches.

-90s era master set collecting. People want all the 90s sets, and this includes 95 and 96 Masterpieces. 96MM will always be up there and in high demand.

What doesn’t seem to be a thing much anymore? UD era master set collecting. Simply put…it’s too hard and expensive for any given set, so almost no one is doing it. How many people are truly putting together masters of MM16 (battle spectra gems, speckle Holofoils, etc included). How many are doing that for MM XL? Or Avengers or Plantinum? Very, very, very few. So random speckle Holofoils fall dramatically, as do most /250 colors in platinum. What really takes a beating is these unknown common character parallels oh so common in sets like Metal Avengers or Platinum. I’ve said it a million times before, but when there are no longer people collecting whole sets (and almost no one is collecting full parallel sets)….then there is no final audience for that Whirlwind or Super-Adaptoid (who is that?) from Avengers Metal blue PMG. It may be flipped in the short term to maintain prices…but there is almost no final collector of such a card. Outside the super, super few people building a whole blue PMG set. Much less them in purple PMG.

[DynaEtch]

Originally Posted by finfangfan

I have a hard time thinking anyone will ever be nostalgic for COVID-era Marvel cards. I mean most of the nostalgia of the Marvel card hobby is still tied to the 90’s sets when the current collector base was largely kids.

I don’t think too many kids entered the Marvel hobby during COVID (at least I don’t think it was kids that were driving up box prices during COVID 2-3x the cost of boxes pre-COVID boom). Rather, it seems like COVID price spike was driven by the existing adult collector that now seems to be a bit choosier as to what they spend money. There are way more Marvel products to choose from now than there were peak COVID.

Heck I’m basically already nostalgic for MM16, especially after seeing what’s in store with Marvel Chrome. (MM XL aside, which is large poster cards). Like probably all of us, I was an adult during MM16, so I don’t mean nostalgic in the way of being a kid, I just mean nostalgic for that whole experience back in 2016 collecting that set. The awesome art by Jusko. The epack experience of it, when ePack was brand new. That really was an awesome time and card set. I’m also somewhat nostalgic for the 2007-2008MM era….and what sketches were back then, the focus of the product.

Edit: I see you’re talking about just Covid era. When I said nostalgic in that prior post I mean UD era as a whole (I realize the sets I’m talking about arent in actual covid era). But there are also a lot of people that came in during Covid for stuff like the Metal Universe sets, and I can see see that being nostalgic for them far down the road. The bigger point I mean with all this is *if* Topps era is bad, then people will turn back to old UD marvel and try to build that stuff more.

[DynaEtch]

The other big culprit is people are spread way too thin. External economic factors aside…there is SO much out there right now to be putting money into in marvel- expensive FU Wolvie and Platinum on epack, avengers metal, MM XL, a flood of sketches, older UD or 90s sets.

The amount of $ in the hobby is finite and it’s spread too thin right now === prices tank.

[nabzy28]

Originally Posted by Xiarmadillo

So called "high end" has a way to go yet in my opinion, both short printed key modern as well as high graded in general.

All the investors/speculators crowding in 2020-21 on those as well as certain shenanigans

If you think this correction is bad, wait until it happens to sports cards....

It already has. Other than the generational, ultra high demand stuff, nearly everything has already fallen 85-95% from the 2021/early 2022 highs. Brady, Jordan, LeBron, Kobe, Gretzky and especially just about every major MLB star and prospect.

The really good stuff has already started to rebound. If it can be found relatively easily, it's basically already flatlined and could fall a bit more. What remains to get absolutely decimated is all the shiny crap of players that are marginal, at best, but are pumped by whoever is still trying to not get stuck holding the bag or trying hard to recoup the massive losses.

[kyle1707]

Not sure about all of marvel

But pmg I have to believe have hit bottom

Also believe majority of nostalgia in the future will be pmg from this era

I have been buying a lot of 2013 over last year

[sketchopolix]

MM16 and Retro13 will probably be the 'nostalgia' cards of the 2010s

The aughts (+early 10s)? Probably sketch cards as that was when Rittenhouse revived and improved them

[DynaEtch]

I collect basically 2 things in nonsports….Marvel and Harry Potter.

It’s been a tale of two trajectories. Marvel escalated way more during pandemic hype, and fell more. HP also fell some since Covid particularly the most expensive autos like Hermione, but nothing like Marvel. Most HP autos have remained somewhat stable in price, and even now I’m seeing auctions realizing surprising numbers, sometimes at or surpassing covid prices.

Marvel on the other hand….I lost maybe 50-75% of the worth of this MM16 BSG set since Covid (this thread needs pictures!)


Pretty brutal. As said MM XL isn’t helping it either. Now there is always the possibility of rebound growth, being such a key set. But OP is right in this aspect. I would say of all the things in my marvel collection, the ones that have been most impervious to price tanking are sketches, and rarities (very rare promos, case toppers, uncut sheets, some unique errors, 96MM master set, stuff like that).

[PurplesaurusRex]

I'm definitely spending less, waiting for better deals. I think most box prices will go down in the short term by end of year.

[BobCollects]

The post-pandemic drop and the current flood of new sets from Upper Deck are a perfect one-two punch for collectors. The transition from Upper Deck to Topps may or may not be a third punch.

I'm still waiting for boxes of 1995 Marvel Metal to plummet so I can finally pick one up. They're rare but not super rare, 13 have sold on eBay since June. Unless the same few boxes are being sold and resold, there are too many of these boxes out there to justify the $800-$1000 prices.

[fabiani12333]

Originally Posted by DynaEtch

You know what hurt MM16 values especially recently imo? UD coming out with MM XL. I predicted this in the MM XL thread and others disagreed (due to different card size, reprint, etc), but I think we’re already seeing the effect. People are almost numb to the flood of these cards hitting eBay now- tons of it from MM XL that look otherwise the same as MM16…tier 4 left and right since theyre now common…..it just swamps the MM16 set completely, basically supersedes it in interest at the moment. Having that set out did NO favors for MM16. UD made our limited collectible cards less valuable in pulling that money grab. On the other hand it's a boon for collectors who want to spend less.

I can see the flood of XL reprints drowning out the original 2016 MM cards listed for sale. But are you sure the drop in prices is due to XL? For example, I see shockingly low prices from Comc auctions in late June:

6/25/24: 2016 Marvel Masterpieces Gallery High Series Variant Copper Foil 49/99 Hulk #93 -- $61.00

6/27/24: 2016 Marvel Masterpieces Battle Spectra Gems 43/99 Iron Man Vs Fin Fang Foom -- $138.50

6/27/24: 2016 Marvel Masterpieces Gallery High Series Variant Copper Foil 62/99 Thor #95 -- $67.09


MM XL was released on 8/7/24.

I'm kicking myself for not buying up these cheap MM16 cards. I need to go on a buying spree if these prices are the new norm -- I've been spending far too much time buying sports cards.

You people who pay hundreds of dollars more on Marvel Platinum cards are idiots -- I mean that sincerely.

[ThatGuyPal]

While Spiderman or Iron Man won't get injured or have a bad game Marvel will never have the new hot rookie like Connor Bedard or Wemby either, nor will they ever break records or enter HOF, etc or even have a good game. It's also not a beloved children's and even adult game such as Pokemon etc which keeps that afloat.

I think Marvel will have ebbs and flows, I don't have data but I'm assuming some turned to Marvel about two years ago when rookies across all sports were pretty trash (I know it was before then I'm saying money went in that direction that year, due to no other options) right now money is in sports due to the big rookies etc. People were touting the fact these characters won't be "out of the league in two years" but now that there are good rookies across sports it's flipped, Pokemon aside again because it's become a beloved game not just trading cards. I also think they needed to modernize a bit, look at the *overall* reception to Marvel Platinum, newer collectors like Chrome and I think with some establishment those cards could of gained traction value wise. No offence to anyone but a lot of times when a new Marvel set comes out in feel like a nostalgia fest of people who collected Marvel in 1995 pointing out this or that that is reminiscent of earlier sets or tributes etc. If you are trying to release cards with value I don't think that's the best base to appeal to, I mean as much as we hate them the people spending big money on cards weren't opening Marvel in the 90's

EDIT: Cards are also basically status-symbols, I mean why else are people paying millions at times for a legit piece of cardboard, it's to show their status and wealth and show off to their wealthy friends. Point being Marvel cards don't really have that appeal, I wouldn't even know if there is an "it" card for Marvel. That alone not being able to chase the "best card out there" will hurt values, and a Michael Jordan or even Charizard on display shows wealth much easier and one reason those will never hit a certain floor is those with money won't allow it to become "common man" attainable. I don't think anyone is worried if Joe Schmo has a Marvel PMG

[fabiani12333]

My guess for why prices of Marvel trading cards have tanked recently is there just aren't enough end consumers in the hobby -- it's very niche. Prices were pumped and manipulated to unsustainable levels a couple of years ago and the flood of new singles from Upper Deck has made it impossible to artificially prop up prices and flip cards for a profit. The supply outstrips demand.

This is why you'll see Topps lean very heavily into the gambling side of the trading card hobby to sell their Marvel card products. It's the only way they'll be able to sell products for high prices.

[The Accountant]

Just feels like overproduction. Supply and demand. I haven’t been following closely, but I’m watching 2024 chrome cards on eBay and I don’t recognize 80% of the checklist/names. Where are the iron mama, hulks, Thors, and Spider-Man’s. There’s so much junk

[fabiani12333]

Originally Posted by nabzy28

It already has. Other than the generational, ultra high demand stuff, nearly everything has already fallen 85-95% from the 2021/early 2022 highs. Brady, Jordan, LeBron, Kobe, Gretzky and especially just about every major MLB star and prospect.

The really good stuff has already started to rebound. If it can be found relatively easily, it's basically already flatlined and could fall a bit more. What remains to get absolutely decimated is all the shiny crap of players that are marginal, at best, but are pumped by whoever is still trying to not get stuck holding the bag or trying hard to recoup the massive losses.

I think there's still a reckoning to be had for the ultra-modern sports card market with all of the parallels and generic shiny junk produced every year. The secondary market still somewhat treats these cards as having significant long-term value, instead of the short-term purpose they are designed for. Prices of top players mostly peak early on and drop the further away they get from a product's release.

[fabiani12333]

Originally Posted by DynaEtch

HP also fell some since Covid particularly the most expensive autos like Hermione, but nothing like Marvel. Most HP autos have remained somewhat stable in price, and even now I’m seeing auctions realizing surprising numbers, sometimes at or surpassing covid prices.

How do you expect the upcoming Harry Potter series on HBO to affect older card prices? Reportedly, they plan to adapt each book and dedicate an entire season for each. It'll be a whole new cast. JK Rowling has creative control. If it's a big hit like Game of Thrones, it could have people forgetting about the original films.

[ThatGuyPal]

Originally Posted by fabiani12333

I can see the flood of XL reprints drowning out the original 2016 MM cards listed for sale. But are you sure the drop in prices is due to XL? For example, I see shockingly low prices from Comc auctions in late June:

6/25/24: 2016 Marvel Masterpieces Gallery High Series Variant Copper Foil 49/99 Hulk #93 -- $61.00

6/27/24: 2016 Marvel Masterpieces Battle Spectra Gems 43/99 Iron Man Vs Fin Fang Foom -- $138.50

6/27/24: 2016 Marvel Masterpieces Gallery High Series Variant Copper Foil 62/99 Thor #95 -- $67.09


MM XL was released on 8/7/24.

I'm kicking myself for not buying up these cheap MM16 cards. I need to go on a buying spree if these prices are the new norm -- I've been spending far too much time buying sports cards.

You people who pay hundreds of dollars more on Marvel Platinum cards are idiots -- I mean that sincerely.

I guess it's only "buy what you like" until your collections value takes a hit then you're an "idiot" lol

Being a Marvel NIMBY is crazy lol

[DynaEtch]

Originally Posted by fabiani12333

I can see the flood of XL reprints drowning out the original 2016 MM cards listed for sale. But are you sure the drop in prices is due to XL? For example, I see shockingly low prices from Comc auctions in late June:

You have a point there. There is no question the prices have already fallen quite a bit leading up to XL….mirroring the marvel market at large. Idk…it just seems like there is almost no attention on the set, while XL is hitting eBay in a ginormous flood. I saw someone elsewhere posting about picking up a MM16 tier 4 purple Hulk for like $65 recently at auction. That is pretty low. It makes perfect sense why that card would sell for so little though. Hulks from XL are hitting eBay in droves, the regular, purples, what ifs, etc. Constant listings. It is so easy to see how people might just gloss over an auction for a MM16 Hulk at this point. Heck you can’t even really tell in the preview pic on search listings if it’s an XL card or regular one without a reference point in the pic. Granted the titles will say it what is…but I still see an auction like that being glossed over. In Marvel it’s so much ‘on to the next one’…well MM XL is the new one. This is NOT a good time to be running auctions on say key MM16 cards.

But I totally agree about MM16 being the better set over Platinum problem is it’s not as new and hyped and shiny chrome.

Originally Posted by ThatGuyPal

EDIT: Cards are also basically status-symbols, I mean why else are people paying millions at times for a legit piece of cardboard, it's to show their status and wealth and show off to their wealthy friends. Point being Marvel cards don't really have that appeal, I wouldn't even know if there is an "it" card for Marvel. That alone not being able to chase the "best card out there" will hurt values, and a Michael Jordan or even Charizard on display shows wealth much easier and one reason those will never hit a certain floor is those with money won't allow it to become "common man" attainable. I don't think anyone is worried if Joe Schmo has a Marvel PMG

The status symbol in Marvel cards is essentially green PMGs, particularly of top characters like Spidey or Wolverine. Just think like Aoki etc. And display cases at sports card shows filled with PMGs. Or people on social media with complete PMGs sets. Another ‘status’ card could perhaps be mega-top tier sketches. Jusko, Nar, etc…although those have a bit of a learning curve to even understand their value. A third example of a status card is perhaps 90MU holograms in PSA 10.

But it’s very true, it’s mostly just [i]within[/i\ the hobby people understand the above things and how valuable they are. Most outside the hobby don’t. So it’s not like 86 Fleer Jordan RCs where people even outside the hobby know it’s valubale. Or Lebron logomans etc. I’d argue Marvel Retro green PMGs did reach a bit of this level *during* the pandemic. People outside Marvel….general sports people….knew they were valuable. Seemed like more buyers from Asia were starting to get involved, who in the past were largely into mostly basketball.

While flashy PMGs may be the status symbol for most of the hobby, it’s not for me. I’m more impressed with the rarities….some collections I know of that have incredibly rare uncut sheets, promos, and yes, original paintings (not strictly cards then).

[fabiani12333]

Originally Posted by ThatGuyPal

I also think they needed to modernize a bit, look at the *overall* reception to Marvel Platinum, newer collectors like Chrome and I think with some establishment those cards could of gained traction value wise. No offence to anyone but a lot of times when a new Marvel set comes out in feel like a nostalgia fest of people who collected Marvel in 1995 pointing out this or that that is reminiscent of earlier sets or tributes etc. If you are trying to release cards with value I don't think that's the best base to appeal to, I mean as much as we hate them the people spending big money on cards weren't opening Marvel in the 90's

There were Marvel chrome cards released in 1995. Topps leans very heavily into retro designs. Most of their newer designs are butt ugly or generic -- a lot of tacky and generic parallels and repetition. As someone who collects both sports and non-sports cards, I think you have no idea what you're talking about.