It's Gotta Be Golden

*sits down, has card nearby, takes a sip of hot beverage and gets ready for new post*

*another sip*

When I was thinking about what title I should come up with for today's card, I immediately thought of the big hit song Golden by KPop Demon Hunters group Huntrix.  If you haven't seen the movie-the movie was meh to me-but the song is very catchy as were most of the songs in the movie.

I have Golden stuck in my head right now.

The title I felt fit today's card since it is gold and shines like its golden, so I felt good about it whether any readers connected the song to the post title.

This is a card, or a set, I have been wanting to add a card from for a long time and a deal finally popped up to be able to add one.

Everyone knows how much I love the Z-Team 90's sets and most collectors give love to the 1995 version. I give most of my love to the 1996 version. But there was also a just as impressive 1997 version, but mainly the parallels to them. The 1995 and 1996 didn't have parallels but they wanted to try something new in 1997 I guess.

The base version of the 1997 Z-Teams were just a basic silver and fell 1:71 packs. Kinda bland in comparison to the previous two years.

But....the parallel has a wow factor.

The 1997 Zenith Z-Team Mirror Golds fell 1:191 packs and stood out big time.

 

I was able to add this Kordell Stewart pretty cheap for such a rare insert.

 

The card back is the same other than the word Mirror Gold on the left side.

I am not sure if I am done with adding these yet. Will there be a set chase like the 1995 and 1996 versions, probably not. I cannot imagine what some of the better players must go for.

It's still fun though!

Let me know in comments your favorite Z-Team year and design.

I hope everyone has a wonderful, golden Wednesday.

*final sip of the post*

*Coffee Card Blogger Out*

All The Feels

*coffee is ready, I am ready for a new post*

Have you ever been blown away by someone else's collection?

Like really blown away.

I am.

I have been following @GriffeySuper and his Ken Griffey Jr collection for a few years now and he owns Griffey cards and memorabilia I can only dream about. Like the level of dreams I had about Amy Jo Johnson and Helen Hunt when I was a kid.

Yeah, those levels (and you can just use your imagination for that)

*tries to imagine that again for a second, refocuses on a sip then on cards*

His collection has an incredible 142,000+ Griffey cards. He owns some of the coolest and rarest Griffey collectibles out there including a Pepsi soda machine. Yes, you read that right. He also has been featured in ESPN and Sports Illustrated articles about his collection and I believe a sports card one as well.

But it wasn't just his collection that got me, I was also awestruck by his story. He went through a journey to be where he is today, you can read it HERE.

Let's see if it gives you all of the feels it gave me.

*takes a sip, re-reads the article again, feels hit by the feels again*

One day he posted a huge lot of Griffeys he had just acquired which included a card I have always wanted but couldn't ever afford, so I made a comment about the card.

After a short conversation about the card, he asked for my address. I was left flabbergasted.

Along with that card, he also sent another I have been wanting for a while now.

Which is this 1997 Topps Team Timber. I remember pulling a couple as a kid, but never Griffey. It was one I had been chasing and just never landed for my Griffey PC.

Then came the card that left me floored and the one I saw in his lot that caught my eye was....

 

1995 Zenith Z-Team. What a beautiful card. Never thought I would ever hold one, not to mention own it.

STUNNED!

I had all of the feels.

I am so glad to have found @GriffeySuper on Twitter/X. Super nice guy, super cool collection, super cool story and super generous. I love to follow him to see what he adds next.

Thanks again so much for these Griffeys!!

*takes a sip before finishing up today's post*

With the 1995 Zenith Z-Team knocked down, my biggest want is now the 1996 Zenith Z-Team which features my favorite Z-Team design. Hopefully can add one of those by years end!

I should make a post of my top 10 Griffey wants in a future post.

I hope today's post hit all the feels for you and hopefully you took a minute to read his story.

Thanks for reading.

*Coffee Card Blogger Out*

Don't forget you can start to nominate cards for the 2025 Coffee Card Hall Of Fame!! Cards don't have to be autographs, patch cards, super star cards. It can be whatever you think is Hall Worthy! Find details and current nominations HERE.

Also, check out my Ken Griffey Jr wants HERE.

The Shoebox Delivers Part 4

With the temperatures expecting to reach 50's today, it's time for some hot cards, hot coffee and Cards Over Coffee.

*takes a sip*

Today, I dig further into the shoebox and show off some amazing football cards I found in there. But, before I continue with that, if you missed the previous parts of this post, you can check them out here:

• Part 1 of the magical Shoebox trade 
• Part 2, which you can see HERE.
• And Part 3 which is HERE.

Now onto the amazing football cards. At least they are amazing to me.

1997 Score The New Breed. These fell 1:12 packs.

Pacific Mark Brunell. If anyone remembers on this blog, I am a big Brunell fan especially his time with the Jaguars. I add cards when I can of him.

Challenge Collection was a parallel to 1997 Pinnacle Inscriptions that fell 1:7 packs. I think they look as good as the base cards. Dufex rules the day!

Falling at 1:48 packs, Bowman Best preview refractors were the previews of Bowmans Best before it's release. That isn't too hard to understand even without morning coffee.

1997 Score The Specialists fell 1:15 packs. Not sure how Jim Everett fell under this category but completely get Kordell being on that checklist. Another one of those fun 90's guys that could play multiple offensive positions.

Numbered to 2000 and randomly falling in packs of 1997 Donruss, the Press Proof parallel was a fun chase. Mike Alstott was a beast to say the least, so I enjoyed finding this one.

I can't find odds or details on this, but it's a 1997 Playoff Rookie Wave Blue Pennant. Pretty cool felt card. I always liked these.

Kerry Collins is a PC player, this card is a tough pull at 1:35 packs. Big winner here.

 

 

I don't ever remember pulling a First Day Issue parallel back in the 90's, so now I have a few of them. These fell 1:24 packs or one-per-box.

1997 Stadium Club Never Compromise were 1:12 packs in Series 2. There is a deep checklist of 40 players so I still have a ways to go on this set chase.

The 24K golds were randomly inserted into packs but honestly I don't ever see a lot of them so it makes me wonder how many are actually out there and how many still sit in packs to be opened.

One of these oddball type cards, but I thought it was  a fun find of a Dolphins legend.

1997 Pinnacle Inscriptions V2 was one of the coolest inserts despite falling only 1:11 packs. It is probably why I am chasing this set and have been. These two are new, but I still have a way to go. I also keep them unpeeled.

Speaking of set chases, Game Breakers is another. There were multiple duplicates of these two and a couple others I already had. 

I have no details on this card other than it has two parallels.

And that does it for today's part. There is one more football part left with some more great cards including some autographs. This post was kind of the teaser trailer.

*takes a sip before finishing up today's post*

This shoebox has been a lot of fun to dig through and makes me wonder if my father even took a glance at what was in there before he traded it to me. He said he did, but sometimes people say that. I took the gamble either way hoping he had missed something, instead it feels he missed a lot.

Just wait til the finale.

Before I close, I also wanted to remind you of the Coffee Card Hall Of Fame voting and that it needs you guys to nominate cards in. So far ONLY 2 cards have been nominated!!

Details on the Coffee Card Hall Of Fame can be found HERE. I may add this to every post from here on out for a reminder as I will forget about this too! Haha!

Have a great Tuesday.

*Coffee Card Blogger Out*

Need A Refill

*sits down next to an empty cup of coffee, it's time for some Cards over.....*

Every morning, I start it out by weighing myself, taking a picture of the sunrise if it's epic and having a cup of coffee. It's the same routine every morning.

My other morning routines are running errands, cleaning up the house and appointments and whatever else may pop up. My time is usually very limited but sometimes in that gap I find time to sit down here and ramble on about sport cards and have some coffee.

In the past month or so, I haven't felt like rambling on about sport cards on here or blogging anywhere in general. I am in the same boat where a lot of sport card bloggers right now in not having motivation to blog or the creativity to do so. I guess after doing this for almost 11 years, it gets tiring and feels repetitive. 

*stares at empty mug*

The last couple of years, especially in the last year, I have had to make a ton of adjustments to my collecting. Rising prices, lack of sponsors, lack of traders, also running out of trade bait (what very little trade bait I have left I am not giving up for just anything) has had me changing every aspect of how I enjoy collecting and now that is changing how I spend my time collecting.

Blogging is taking a hit from that as I am finding my time being spent in other aspects of collecting instead. Hence, the lack of posts on here.

That's why I am telling you in advance that Sport Card Collectors will officially be ending at years end, not sure on Big Blue Cardboard and Cards Over Coffee....well...that's up in the air.

I don't want to call it over for me with blogging or blogging on here, so I will leave it with needing a refill. I need a fresh cup and maybe even a fresh start.

*mug is still empty*

I thought before I close today's post, that I would show off a couple of recent mail days. I haven't had many mail days of recent, but these are a couple of really solid ones.

First one came from blog reader Oren.

Oren always sends the good stuff with tackling every aspect of my collecting. This one was a set needs.

Will Allen numbrered rookie card.

90's insert from Goudey with an impossible last name to say 5 times fast.

Piazza insert.

 

I had Bieber fever...not really, probably a real fever for having this card on my want list for many years. But, now I have it.

I will admit I used to listen to a few Ford songs. I don't feel ashamed about doing so.

He also sent along with pack. Something I had never opened before.

Just like the wrapper says, it's Fantasy artwork. Kind of unique to own a few cards of, but not my full cup of tea.... or coffee.

Thanks again to Oren for our latest trade!

My next mail day just arrived yesterday.

It was from the always creative mind at Nine Pockets blog who creates some amazing customs.

This time, it was 8-bit stickers.

How cool is this NY Giants one???

If you guys are interested, he may have some extras left but may have some for sale as well.

Thanks Gregory! Keep up the great work. Hope to see some Christmas Vacation customs at Christmas time :) I know you have the talent to do so!

*takes one more stare at the empty mug*

I may be waiting on a refill to blog, but that doesn't mean I won't still be around. I will still be reading your blogs and commenting. Will be on Twitter @collect_sport, not as much, but a few check-ins a day. My email is always open for trading or just open in general at sportcardcollectors@hotmail.com. 

Thanks for reading today's post.

Have a great Friday.

*Coffee Card Blogger Out*

Becoming Overwhelmed

*sits down with a stack of cards. a slice of apple cake and coffee tag along and it's time for some cards over coffee*

The past few weeks the hobby has felt like more of a job, than a passion.

I have an overwhelming amount of sorting projects I need to complete. I have people wanting to trade. I have a couple of retail items to open. I have a card room to clean up. I have blogging to do. I just haven't felt like doing any of it.

ANY OF IT.

It feels like that "honey-to-do" list or when you were a kid and your parents gave you a list of chores to complete more than stuff I really want to do.

So, I have been dragging. I am behind on posts, haven't cleaned up my card room (hopefully I won't be punished and sent there), taking forever to dig out trade bait and mail it, etc, etc, etc.

I know, at least I hope, this will end at some point. Just got to get over the hump.

*takes a sip before moving onto the cards in this post*

One thing that might help lift some of this feeling is maybe getting myself to actually complete some of this stuff. Which is why I am trying to catch up on some blogging this week. Just may need some extra coffee to help motivate that.

To continue my third day in a row of blogging, let's show off my latest trade mail day with reader Oren.

*takes a sip*

If you have been a long-time reader, you know I don't collect or show off many hockey cards on this blog. But, Oren has been trying to slowly hook me in by sending me shiny inserts like this MVP Domains Kevin Fiala.

And these Pinpoints of Crosby and Marchano. 

They are very eye pleasing, just not sure enough to get me into hockey collecting.

The shiny didn't end there, this Sean Casey is stunning. Almost 3D look to it.

Then came two new Lamars for the side PC.

A V2 insert which when the card is tipped in different directions shows the player featured moving. Like Sportflix, but more advanced. I am not sure why we don't use this technology today. Their loss I guess. This is probably why I am chasing sets like this one which the Bledsoe is new to it by the way.

Curtis Martin Behind The Numbers relic. I like the die cut number with jersey as it's better than a plain square swatch. This was back in the days when these were game used by the players. Now they are just jerseys off the Fanatics shelves.

I don't collect Diaz or the Brewers, but Dufex I do. Also, the photo is also amazing.

Two 90's basketball cards. This is another sport I don't post a lot about, but when they are from the 90's, I will definitely post them. Especially when they are the Wave Of The Future.

And the final card from this mail day, is a Wander Franco rookie from Topps International Trading Card Day.

This one had a little mix of everything.

Thanks again to Oren for our latest trade! I am looking forward to the next.

*takes a sip before finishing up today's post*

I know I am not the only one feeling like this. I see others post about it at least on Twitter. I am sure I am not the only blogger like this either.

Are you feeling overwhelmed by the hobby? let me know in comments!

Have a happy Wednesday!

*Coffee Card Blogger Out*

A Perfect Trade

*coffee smell is throughout the kitchen this morning waking up all of the senses. goes and pours creamer in, stirs, goes and sits for today's post*

Trading has really been slow for me in 2022 so far. It's not like I don't have the pieces to trade, it's just that I can't find the right collectors for those pieces and the few I have found didn't have anything for me in return.

That changed this past week where two decent pieces I had to trade found their way to new homes.

*takes a sip*

One of those pieces found their way to @ShoffJason who is a big White Sox fan and on top of that, had pieces for me in return. That my friends is called a perfect trade.

Speaking of perfect trade, this one was easy and fast which also makes it perfect.

I will start by showing off the bonus cards that Jason threw into this trade,

Shiny Derek Jeter I didn't have, awesome.

I only have a couple 20 Years Of The Captain, so all of these are new.

Christmas and Yankee PC all in one card.

Shiny Aaron Judge for my rebuilt Judge PC.

2008 Topps Chrome Uncirculated Gold refractor /199

Those were just the freebies, now onto the trade portion which will kick off with some new Kerry Collins,

1995 Playoff Draft Pick

1995 Ultra Gold Medallion (these still look better than most parallels today)

Team Pinnacle Collins and Marino

1996 Upper Deck Silver Team Helmets

1995 Ultra Extra Gold Medallion

Phone Card from Assets.

And now the finale but first....

*takes a sip*

The trade had started when Jason noticed I was a Giants fan and had a few Saquon Barkley available,

2018 Gold Standard Newly Minted Triple Relic with some guy from Cleveland, Saquon and a solid wideout from Carolina.

And the final card......

2018 Leaf Limited autograph patch rookie Saquon Barkley.

Thanks again to Jason for the trade.

*takes a sip before finishing up today's post*

I have another big trade to post coming up soon.

Thoughts on my trade today and if you feel your trading has gone down this year so far.

Have a thankful Thursday.

*Coffee Card Blogger Out*