Panini America Investigates the Rising Cost of Colin Kaepernick (Gallery & Video)

It seemed nothing short of poetic when the San Francisco 49ers traded up in the 2011 NFL Draft to nab Colin Kapernick, the profusely athletic hometown hero from the University of Nevada by way of California's Pitman High School. But the buzz largely subsided when Kaepernick spent most of his rookie season backing up Alex Smith and watching as the 49ers made it all the way to the NFC Championship Game.


It seemed nothing short of poetic when the San Francisco 49ers traded up in the 2011 NFL Draft to nab Colin Kapernick, the profusely athletic hometown hero from the University of Nevada by way of California’s Pitman High School. But the buzz largely subsided when Kaepernick spent most of his rookie season backing up Alex Smith and watching as the 49ers made it all the way to the NFC Championship Game.
2012 started out much the same way, with the potential-packed Kaepernick clutching a clipboard as the Niners bolted to a 6-2 start. But everything changed during San Francisco’s Week 10 game against the St. Louis Rams, when Kaepernick relieved an injured Smith in a game that eventually ended in a 24-24 tie. Three weeks later, the only thing Kaepernick is clutching now is the 49ers’ starting quarterback job.

In just more than 10 quarters as a starter, Kaepernick has completed 43-of-65 passes (66.2 percent) for 591 yards and three touchdowns. He’s also rushed for 105 yards and two more touchdowns during that time. As a result, the Niners are perched near the top of the NFC with an 8-2-1 record — and Kaepernick’s best Panini America Rookie Cards are absolutely on fire.
Generating the kind of frenzied secondary-market activity historically reserved for San Francisco signal-callers such as Joe Montana and Steve Young, Kaepernick’s top cards are currently selling for as much as three times their most recent listed values on Beckett.com.
Kaepernicksanity? Sure.
His 2011 National Treasures RC, currently valued at $150 by Beckett.com, has sold recently for as much as $600, a 300 percent increase. Meanwhile, his 2011 Limited RC has sold for as much as $118 despite a Beckett.com value of $40. That same wave of appreciation can be seen across the board and is highlighted in the must-see Kaepernick card gallery that follows.
With each Kaepernick card below, we’ve listed the current Beckett.com value and an average value of what the card is selling for on the secondary market.
After you’ve perused the sweet cards and their eye-popping sales increases, stick around for a special video Panini America produced with Kaepernick at the 2011 NFLPA Rookie Premiere the day company officials acquired most of the assets — autographs, memorabilia and photos — to produce arguably the hottest football cards on the market.


Now, the video that proves Panini America was on the Kaepernick bandwagon long before the craze . . .

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29 Replies to “Panini America Investigates the Rising Cost of Colin Kaepernick (Gallery & Video)”

  1. Those are some awesome cards! It’s been great seeing him step up and take charge for the 49ers – he’s got a great future ahead of him and it’s really cool to see it all unfold as a fan. Now I just have to get my hands on some of those RC’s!

  2. I like these market trend articles, it will be interesting to see if the guys at the card show this weekend are readers of the Knight’s Lance or if I can get some steals. Thanks Tracy!

  3. The day he came in at QB I started looking for his autos..didn’t pursue very hard and now I’m wishing I had. Good to see another young QB doing well though. The competition with all of this years rookies is great for the league and even better, great for the fans and collectors for years to come.

  4. Who would think that in San fran there would be a mobile qb with a good arm waiting in the wings for his chance to lead the team behind a Qb that lead his team to an NFC championship game? Sound familiar lol? Now I’m not saying Smith is another Montana, but Kaepernick the second coming of a Steve Young for the Niners… Who knows. I reside in Tennessee so I didn’t get to watch to many Nevada games however the Game I did watch I was glued to my seat. After seeing the determination to win I just knew Nevada was going to knock off Boise Stated and that’s just what they did under the leadership of Colin. Positive attitude Grit and determination is what winners are made of. That never quit never settle for second Is what makes you the best. Kapernick has all these qualities and there’s no doubt he will lead the Niners for years to come. A good fit for this blog feature because that’s what makes Panini great as well. Ill close this comment with a quote from Colin’s twitter page. “Trying to be number one in a world that excepts number two” Congrats to Colin on his success. He’s earned it.

    1. Oh I forgot to add I think with him as with Doug Martin early on a clear indication of his talent. I believe his cards will only rise in value. Qb for the niners in that market doesn’t hurt either!

  5. I like to pick a couple players under the radar every year & stock up. Last year I chose Andy Dalton and I was on the fence about Kaepernick. I had a couple rookie autos & sold a Panini Threads rookie class booking at 30 for 50 bucks. I’m going to hold onto my Totally Certifed auto for a bit I think

  6. Absolutely LOATHE the 49ers, but LOVE Kaepernick. Living in Sparks, NV, about four miles from Mackay Stadium, I followed, and was thrilled by, his entire college career. You can’t begin to imagine how disappointed I was when he was drafted by the Bay-Area Bums, but none the less cheer for Colin every time he and his team take the field. Some dichotomy, huh?

  7. Panini Investigates the Rising Cost of Colin
    Kaepernick (Video & Gallery). Image: 2011
    Limited: Priced at $40. Selling for $110.
    On a side note, I strictly buy your product now. One of your competitors blew it with me.
    Keep up the good work.

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