Figoca Blog
Learn about trading cards, grading, and more.
PSA Grades Explained: 1 to 10 and Half Grades
psa
PSA Grades Explained: 1 to 10 and Half Grades
PSA grades explained: what 1 to 10 and half grades mean, how grading works, and how to estimate your card at home before you submit to PSA. Get clarity now.
famous-trading-cards
Patrick Mahomes Downtown Cards: Full Year-by-Year Guide
Patrick Mahomes Downtown cards by year with checklists, card numbers, and buying tips. Learn how to compare comps fast and buy safer on eBay. Read now.
What Are Downtown Sports Cards?
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What Are Downtown Sports Cards?
What are Downtown sports cards? Learn what they are, why collectors chase them, how to spot real Downtown inserts, and how to buy them safely online. Read now.
How Trading Cards Are Made: From Photos to Pack Odds
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How Trading Cards Are Made: From Photos to Pack Odds
How are trading cards made? Learn the full process for collectors, from photo selection and design to printing, autographs, patches, and pack odds. Read now.
famous-trading-cards
Pikachu Illustrator Card: History, Rarity, and Value
Learn why the Pikachu Illustrator card is Pokémon’s holy grail, what makes it so rare, and how to authenticate it before buying. Read the full guide now.
Best Retail Football Cards to Buy (Simple Guide)
cards-to-buy
Best Retail Football Cards to Buy (Simple Guide)
Looking for the best retail football cards to buy? Learn which products and formats are worth it, what to chase, and what to skip, plus a checklist. Read now.
What Is a Case Hit in Sports Cards? (Simple Explanation)
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What Is a Case Hit in Sports Cards? (Simple Explanation)
What is a case hit in sports cards? Learn what it means, how odds work, and how to spot real case hits when buying boxes or breaks. Read now.
PSA Is Buying Beckett: What Collectors Should Know
psa
PSA Is Buying Beckett: What Collectors Should Know
PSA is buying Beckett. What’s confirmed, what could change, and what to watch next. Get the details here!
How to Flip Sports Cards: The Ultimate Guide for Beginners (2025)
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How to Flip Sports Cards: The Ultimate Guide for Beginners (2025)
Learn the basics of flipping sports cards for profit. Discover how to find comps, calculate margins, and use the 4-step checklist to pick winning cards.
5 Trading Cards To Buy For a $100 Budget (December 2025)
Cards To Buy
5 Trading Cards To Buy For a $100 Budget (December 2025)
Best trading cards under $100 for December 2025—five budget picks with prices, sales volume, and trends for new and returning collectors.
5 Trading Cards To Buy For a $1000 Budget (December 2025)
Cards To Buy
5 Trading Cards To Buy For a $1000 Budget (December 2025)
Five trading cards under a $1000 budget for December 2025, using real prices, sales volume, and trends to help collectors pick smart trading cards.
5 Trading Cards To Buy For a $250 Budget (December 2025)
Cards To Buy
5 Trading Cards To Buy For a $250 Budget (December 2025)
5 trading cards under a $250 budget for December 2025, using real sales data to help collectors find smart budget trading cards.
5 Trading Cards To Buy For a $500 Budget (December 2025)
Cards To Buy
5 Trading Cards To Buy For a $500 Budget (December 2025)
Five trading cards under $500 for December 2025 with prices, sales volume, and data-backed context for collectors.
Bowman Chrome Draft 1st Prospects 2025: Trends & Strategy
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Bowman Chrome Draft 1st Prospects 2025: Trends & Strategy
Bowman Chrome Draft 1st prospect trends for 2025: prices, key chases, sealed box costs, and simple strategies for collectors in the USA.
The Most Important MLB Card Releases for 2025
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The Most Important MLB Card Releases for 2025
See which MLB card products really matter in the Fanatics/Topps era, from Flagship and Chrome to Bowman Draft, and build a smart 2025–2026 collecting plan.
history
What Was the Junk Wax Era? A Look Back at the Craziest Time in Sports Card History
Junk Wax Era explained (1987–1994): how mass production crashed values, what cards still matter, and the lessons collectors use today to buy smarter. Read now.
guide
How to Buy Sports Cards on eBay — The Ultimate Guide for 2026
Learn how to buy sports cards on eBay: find fair prices, avoid scams, and win better deals with proven tips and simple workflows. Read the guide now!
Cards To Buy
5 Trading Cards Under $1000 (November 2025)
Best trading cards under $1000 for November 2025—five data-backed picks with prices, sales and trends.
Cards To Buy
5 Trading Cards Under $250 (November 2025)
Trading cards under $250 for November 2025—five data-backed picks with prices, sold comps, and trends.
Cards To Buy
5 Trading Cards Under $500 (November 2025)
Trading cards under $500 for November 2025—five data-backed picks with prices, sales volume, and trends.
Cards To Buy
5 Trading Cards Under $100 (November 2025)
Best trading cards under $100 for November 2025. Five budget-friendly picks with prices, sold comps and trends. Great for new collectors—see the list now.
guide
How Does a Card Box Break Work? A Beginner's Guide
New to box breaks? Learn how they work, compare formats, assess risks, choose trusted breakers, and set a smart budget so you can join with confidence. Start today.
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5 Sports Card Mistakes to Avoid in 2025
Sports cards are booming—but most won’t hold value. Avoid 5 costly mistakes, buy smarter with data, and get the free budget checklist today to save money.
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How to Identify Valuable Football Card Slabs in 2025
Learn about football card slabs in 2025: players, sets, parallels, grades, and pop reports. Use sold prices and a simple workflow to buy smarter. Read now.
guide
On-Card vs Sticker: Which Autograph Truly Deserves the Premium?
On-card autographs sell for 45% more than stickers. Discover which type is worth your money and when stickers actually win. Get the full breakdown.
famous-trading-cards
Bill Ripken Error Card: 1989 Fleer F-Face Variants & Values
The 1989 Fleer Bill Ripken 'F-Face' error: how a profanity sparked a hobby icon, the variants, fixes, and today’s values. Dive in now. Learn more inside.
Grading
PSA vs CGC vs BGS vs SGC (2025): What to Grade & Why
2025 grading guide: What to send to PSA, CGC, BGS or SGC—latest prices, special hits, resale angles, and a simple decision framework. Get the right grade.
Grading
Should You Grade That Card? A Simple EV Method Beats the “$80 Rule”
Understand the hobby’s “$80 rule,” and a better, grade-by-grade EV method that factors fees, tiers, shipping/insurance, and upcharges. Learn about it now!
famous-trading-cards
T206 Honus Wagner: The Mona Lisa of Baseball Cards
Why the T206 Honus Wagner is the hobby's holy grail—origin, scarcity, record sales, and how many exist today.
guide
10 Secrets Every Card Collector Needs to Know
Save money, avoid mistakes, and build long-term value with 10 essential tips. Learn how to buy smarter and grow your collection—start now.
figoca
Fake PSA Slabs in 2025: The 60-Second Check Every Collector Should Know
Counterfeit PSA slabs are getting scary good. Learn the weld & label tells, why cert scans aren’t enough, and safer ways to buy—on shows and eBay.
figoca
figoca Extension - see trading card comps directly on ebay
See the price confidence you need directly on eBay. figoca highlights deals, shows recent sale prices, and helps you decide in seconds.