I Collected Trading Cards For a Month, Here's What I Learned

My first card show experience + trading card collecting journey: What to collect, sealed vs singles, card show chaos, Stranger Things cards, Topps errors, and the future of my TCG collecting.

*FIRST CARD SHOW EXPERIENCE:*

I went to my first trading card show and it was absolute chaos. $10 entry fee, packed venue, vendors with briefcases full of cash, and I felt like a complete freshman trying to navigate prices, haggling, and figuring out what to buy.

*STRANGER THINGS CARDS:*

Unboxed my numbered Stranger Things High Tek card (Scott Clark 46/50) after store sold my other cards before shipping. Only paid $8 for this numbered acetate card.

*Stranger Things Card Market Prices:*
Millie Bobby Brown 1/1 autograph: $5,600 (most expensive Stranger Things card)
Nancy/Steve/Jonathan triple auto: $1,275
Eddie Munson/Dustin Henderson dual auto: $204.50

*WHAT SHOULD YOU COLLECT?*

Breaking down the massive decision: What do you collect in trading cards?

*Options:*
Sports cards: MLB, NFL, NHL, MLS (Topps MLS Chrome just released)
Pokemon cards: Vintage vs modern releases
Magic the Gathering: Secret Lair collabs, art-focused collecting
Disney/Pixar: Topps Chrome sets (Finding Nemo color match example)
Web3 TCGs: Vibes TCG, Azuki TCG
Pop culture: Stranger Things, SpongeBob,

*Color Match Cards:*
Explained color match cards using Topps Chrome Pixar Finding Nemo example. One seller listed orange Nemo numbered card for $150 calling it "one hell of a color match"

*SEALED VS SINGLES DEBATE:*

The eternal trading card question: Do you collect sealed products or buy singles?

Arguments:
Sealed holds value long-term
Singles give you exactly what you want
Buying boxes/cases is gambling
TikTok comment: "People who buy sealed and don't open are worse than scalpers"

Also covered: Card breakers controversy, TCG culture & lingo (hangers, breaks, etc.), similarity to crypto narratives (talking your bags), and forming your own collecting thesis.

*TOPPS CHROME BASKETBALL ERROR:*

Topps issued apology for packaging error on 2025-26 Topps Chrome Basketball Mega Boxes:
Packaging says "Blue X-Fractors"
Actually contains "Silver X-Fractors"
Typographical error caused confusion
Cooper Flagg blue parallels would have been huge

This is Topps' second major correction in days.

*KEVIN O'LEARY CARD VALUATION:*

Kevin O'Leary claims his Michael Jordan/Kobe Bryant triple logoman card (bought for $12.93 million in August) is now worth $25-30 million.

Also discussed: Will sports legends' cards outlast fictional IP collectibles long-term? Mario, Pokemon, and video game characters get new releases constantly vs retired sports legends.

*VIBES TCG BIG NEWS:*

Vibes TCG announced they're coming to major big box retailers (one of the big three) in 2026. Currently one of the fastest growing TCGs.

*Vibes TCG Update:*
World Championship in Portland ($10,000 prize pool)
Episode 75 of RWA SegMints Podcast: Jeremy G interview
Discussed fastest growing TCG in Web3
Local game store importance vs big box retail

*OTHER COLLECTIBLES NEWS:*

🍔 *McDonald's Changeables Return:* Most requested Happy Meal toy comeback (1987 original)

🎮 *The Office x Fortnite:* Michael Scott and Dwight Schrute skins coming

👟 *Lego Crocs:* $149 for Lego brick Crocs (yay or nay?)

⚾ *MLB Reversed Logo Hats:* New Era releasing reversed logo baseball caps

📊 *Collectible Super Cycle:* Physical media making comeback (vinyl, cassettes, trading cards)

💰 *$300K Pokemon Collection:* New Jersey collector spent $300,000 on Pokemon cards

🎨 *100 Thieves Collab:* New partnership with Crazy Raccoon

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🎙️ *LISTEN TO RWA SEGMINTS PODCAST:*
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3BGrV9q...

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