PPI Playoff Edition: Panini America Checks Soaring Card Values of Top NFL Rookies

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There’s no question the 2012 NFL Season has been one of the more memorable seasons from a rookie perspective. Many in the media have coined 2012 as “The Year of the Rookie Quarterback.” At Panini America, we think a little differently. On the heels of kickoff to the NFL Playoffs this weekend, we present to you a very special edition of the Panini Price Index — think of it as “The Year of the Panini NFL Rookie Card” edition of the PPI.

In this edition, we not only take a look at the top-selling rookie cards of superstar rookie signal-callers like Robert Griffin III, Russell Wilson and Panini Authentic Exclusive Andrew Luck, but we’ll also look at some of the other high value rookie cards from this year’s amazing crop of NFL rookie talent, including finalists for the 2012 Pepsi Max Rookie of the Year award.  As these talented, young players continue their ascent into superstardom, so will the value of their coveted rookie cards.

Three rookie quarterbacks will start playoff games this weekend – the first time in NFL history that has happened. Of that group, Andrew Luck, the superstar Indianapolis quarterback and hand-picked successor to Peyton Manning, has enjoyed arguably the greatest season ever by a rookie signal-caller. He’s set a bevy of NFL rookie records, including single-game passing yards (433), single-season passing yards (4,374) and most fourth-quarter comeback victories (seven), while also breaking the pocket book of many a trading card collector.

Continuing the absolutely staggering trend of high dollar non-autographed Panini America trading card sales, Luck’s 2012 Certified Football Mirror Black (#’d 1/1) recently sold for $899.99. Or if autographs are your thing, a BGS 10 graded version of his 2012 Elite Football New Breed Autographed Memorabilia (#’d/25) took home $800. Another “Lucky” collector snagged a gem, taking home Luck’s 2012 Elite Football Rookie Status Autograph SP (#’d 3/24) for $687. Or take a look at his 2012 Absolute NFL Equipment Laundry Tag (#’d 1/1) which took home the bacon with a sale of $659.95. And finally, how about six sensational rookie quarterback autos featured on one card. That’s exactly what one collector got when a 2012 Pen Pals (#’d 1/1) featuring six of this year’s best rookie quarterback in Andrew Luck, Robert Griffin III, Ryan Tannehill, Brandon Weeden, Brock Osweiler and Russell Wilson sold for $805.

Another notable rookie starlet who needs no introduction (unless you live on another planet), Robert Griffin III, has caught the attention of the PPI. RGIII as he’s affectionately known has risen to almost pseudo-Presidential status while playing in the nation’s Capitol. Fiscal cliff concerns aside, the value of his rookie trading cards continue to rise in value. His Panini America Sketch Card (#’d 1/1) recently sold for an astonishing $3,200 while his 2012 Certified Football Freshman Fabric NFL Logo Patch (#’d 1/1) sold for $650. And his 2012 Elite Status Gold Autograph (#’d 10/24) numbered to his jersey number also sold for $650.

Seattle quarterback Russell Wilson is the third record-breaking quarterback making his NFL playoff debut this weekend. The Seahawks’ field general has also broken his share of records this season. In Week 17, he tied Peyton Manning’s record for most touchdowns in a season by a rookie quarterback with 26 TD passes. He’s also shattered the PPI with some impressive sales, including his 2012 Momentum Football Rookie Autograph NFL Logo Patch (#’d 1/1) which sold for $400.55. His 2012 Elite Gold Status Autograph RC also brought nice coin with a sale of $350.

And next up on our rookie countdown of ridiculous rookie trading card values is the elusive running back from Washington, Alfred Morris. He too topped the record charts with several rookie and franchise marks, including the Redskins mark for most rushing yards in a season (1,613) which also happened to be the third-largest total ever by an NFL rookie running back. First up on the list of impressive Morris rookie cards is his rare 2012 Certified New Generation Emerald Autograph (#’d 2/5) which brought $350. His 2012 Prominence Football RC Autograph card (#’d 1/1) sold for $300 while three more of his autograph rookie cards checked in at over $200 apiece.

Although Tampa Bay did not make the playoffs, the Bucs rookie running back, Doug Martin, made defenses and card collectors alike take notice of his hard-nosed running style. He broke franchise rookie marks for rushing yards and all-purpose yards while also watching the value of his trading cards explode. Take for instance his 2012 Momentum Black NFL Shield Autograph (#’d 1/1)  which caught a winning bid of $500, or  his 2012 Certified Rookie Black NFL Logo Ball/ Jersey Autograph card (#’d 1/1) which sold for $460. He also showed his artistic talents on the Panini Sketch Cards, offering his rendition of the Buccaneers famous Jolly Roger which sold for $350.

As always, we have put together a fine-looking gallery from some of the most recent top-selling cards of the 2012 Panini NFL Rookie Card Class.  And leave your comments below for the chance to win a box of 2012 Panini NFL trading cards. Enjoy!

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15 Replies to “PPI Playoff Edition: Panini America Checks Soaring Card Values of Top NFL Rookies”

  1. Those are all really awesome pulls. I haven’t hit anyone bigger than an Osweiler RPA yet this year I hope to hit a nice card of one of these guys before the season is over.

  2. Stellar article Chris, it really captures how Panini products are paying off for the collectors who break NFL products this year. Thanks!

  3. Ah man I wish the 1/1 dual shield of Luck and Griffin had made the list. I sold it the other day for $750. Its being shipped to its nrw owner on Monday. So sad to see it go. 🙁

  4. Sadly another year of football is close to coming to an end. This years crop of rookies, especially the qb’s have been outstanding. It has made an outstanding year for collectors. It has also grown the hobby. Just as the Black Friday promo packs have spiked sales at lcs, the card break sites have added a spark of their own for sales. With so many great options of teams with quality players and hits to be had i can say I’ve participated in breaks much more than in the past. The value and the quality of card that is being produced just adds to the allure to me. Although the cards above demand a kings ransom in my home they would be displayed as a museum piece. there is no feeling like pulling one of theses big hits. The only thing better is showing them off to friends and family and letting the next generation enjoy them. Thanks for all the beautiful cards you’ve provided to run down and here’s to a new year of collecting!
    Oh and i believe that Nick Foles will be added to this list next year. Especially if they can land Chip Kelly as a head coach, All the tools are there. His Panini Black auto patches are just ridiculous!

    Thanks Panini for all you do for all of us

  5. This was an outstanding article… I wish that the Jersey’s were worth more than the Auto’s due to the fact that they were actually worn or at least handeled more by the players but I guess thats the way the cookie is crumbling…. mmmmm CooKies 🙂
    Thank you for introducing me to the new concept of “Sketch Cards” what series’ are these found in as I would like to check more of them out?
    As always, thank you in advance and WildON!

    1. Appreciate the kind words. Typically, we insert the sketch cards as instant-win redemptions inside our promotional redemption packs (like at the National or the Toronto Expo).

  6. These are some great pulls from a great season for rookies. The rookies this year have had amazing seasons, and have been showcased in some incredible cards from panini america. I was lucky enough to pull an Andrew Luck auto jersey from rookies and stars this year, which was by far my best pull ever and will remain in my collection forever. Thanks for making such outstanding cards!

  7. Never landed Luck or RG3…still hoping to. Russell Wilson was my one big auto hit so far. Got his Rookies and Stars Crusade auto. Sick card and hoping he makes a Super Bowl run now because of it.

  8. So far I have landed an Andrew Luck short print auto from Prestige. I plan to try absolute and certified since those are my favorite brands so far.

  9. It is awesome how well these fab rookie QBs are doing, and the market reflects on their performance. I wish that one day I can pull an awesome RG3 auto patch card- I have a feeling it will definetly be from Panini, when that day comes;) Thanks again for all the generous giveaways:)

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