Want a head start on this week’s Liquid Auctions? Read on for market trends, insights and a sneak peek at some of the investment-grade gems available.

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Auctions Info

Start date: Thursday, 3/31, 6pm PT / 9pm ET

Close date: Thursday, 4/7, 6pm PT / 9pm ET

Total number of investment-grade assets: 500

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Hobby Highlight

2021 Colorado Rockies Draft Pick Benny Montgomery has been having some fun with his 2022 Bowman autograph cards, and last week he included fellow 2021 draftee, Jordan Lawlar of the Arizona Diamondbacks, in on something special. The prospects signed a pair of cards that when viewed together form a fun little tribute to their Spring Training hub in Arizona. These one-of-a-kind Bowman Chromes are certain to be some of the hottest pulls of 2022, and if these players reach their potential, two of the most memorable Baseball cards of the decade.

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Market Trends

Football

Recent trades and free agent signings across the NFL have had a huge impact on the card market. Baker Mayfield and Russell Wilson are just two of the names seeing a lot of movement, so let’s take a look.

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Mayfield saw a 13.43% rise in card value once it became clear his days with the Browns were numbered. With some uncertainty around his future, the performance of Baker’s cards is sure to keep fluctuating. Overall, Mayfield trading has had its ups and downs over the past year, ending down 26.23% despite a 32.05% boost leading up to the start of last fall’s NFL season.

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Like Mayfield, Wilson’s cards have been trending down over the course of the last 12 months, but saw a 9.90% increase in the last 30 days as trade rumors swirled and were eventually confirmed. While his trade to Denver is a big win for the Broncos after a disappointing last place finish, we’ll have to see what it means for Wilson’s trading market.

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Baseball

After a tense, 99 day lockout, Baseball season is upon us. With regular season games starting April 7th, let’s take a look at one of the hobby’s most desirable baseball players.

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Ohtani trading showed enormous gains during his monster 2021 season, in which the two-way superstar was the unanimous choice for American League MVP. From April through October, his index grew an astonishing 231.94%, and is up 241.90% over the past 12 months. Since then, things have been steady, and unaffected by the lockout. But if his 2022 looks anything like his 2021, look out.

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Basketball

With Klay Thompson still recovering from his long term injuries, Poole’s playing time and stock increased dramatically in October, with his trading index growing by 42.47%. Things cooled as the season progressed, but the last month has shown a major increase in Poole’s index once again, as it’s up 31.7% over the past 30 days. With Poole currently filling in for an injured Steph Curry, we’re looking forward to seeing how the rest of the season impacts trading on Poole’s cards.

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Expert Selection

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Big 3 Gems

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2003 Topps Chrome Lebron James Black Refractor | Alt Value $279,972

LeBron's signature Topps Chrome rookie is one of the most recognizable cards of the modern era, and this pop 21 Black Refractor is an incredible long term hold.

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1997 Metal Universe Steve Nash Precious Metal Gems | Alt Value $121,376

Green PMGs are widely regarded as one of the best basketball sets of all time, which is fitting for  Nash, widely regarded as one of the best PGs of all time. His style of play changed the game and earned him back-to-back MVPs along the way.

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2012-13 Panini Prizm Kevin Durant Prizms Gold | Alt Value $86,274

Although Durant never won a ring in OKC, he won an MVP and four scoring titles in that uniform. Any Durant fan would be ecstatic to add Durant's best OKC-uniform card, which stems from the iconic first 2012 Prizm set.

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Featured Gems

Our curated selection of assets in all price ranges.

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Superstar assets to look out for

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2009 Bowman Draft Picks Mike Trout Chrome Prospects Refractor | Alt Value $33,637

The most iconic Bowman Chrome card of the late 2000s, this Trout refractor stands above most with true gem subgrades. The good money is on Trout staying healthy and continuing his historic pace this season. If he does, his card values will follow suit.

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2018 Panini Prizm Lamar Jackson Gold Prizm | Alt Value $32,265

Lamar's 2021 season did not go as planned, but he still has an MVP trophy at the ripe age of 25. Now is a great opportunity to buy in on this highlight machine, as he will surely be back to his MVP ways come September.

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2021 Bowman Chrome Christian Hernandez Prospect Auto Orange Refractor | Alt Value $31,131

The Cubs farm system regularly produces young studs, and Hernandez is one of the most hyped prospects to come up their ranks in the last few years. This Orange PSA 10 is an excellent addition for anybody who believes this teenager will live up to the hype.

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‍All-star assets to look out for

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2019 Panini Prizm Prizms Gold | Alt Value $24,376

Murray is already one of the most electrifying QBs at the position, and with no PSA 10s of this card, this true gem stands as Kyler's best Gold Prizm on the market.

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1993 Magic The Gathering Alpha Time Walk | Alt Value $17,237

Coveted as one of MTG's Power 9, this card was later restricted due to the fact that playing it immediately ends a game. Alpha has a total print run of 1100 and this BGS 9 with good sub grades is one of most desirable long-term MTG assets.

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2020 Topps Chrome Sapphire Formula 1 Lewis Hamilton Aqua Refractor | Alt Value $15,621

There simply aren't enough serial numbered Hamilton first year PSA 10 chromes to go around, with this one having a pop of only 5. As Hamilton looks to add his 8th title, it's only a matter of time before his market goes on another run.

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Starter assets to look out for

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2017 Topps Chrome UEFA Kylian Mbappe Blue Refractor | Alt Value $12,606

It’s a big year for Soccer collectors and Mbappe fans, with the French superstar looking to continue his dominance in Qatar and help France repeat as World Cup Champion. This highly coveted card has a beautiful, borderless Topps Chrome design and a color match to boot.

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1999 Pokémon French Florizarre Holo 1st Edition | Alt Value $4,962

Older Pokémon cards are being graded more frequently, but still it is extremely difficult to find one in perfect condition. Pictured here is Venasaur, one of the famed “Big Three.” With only 140 first edition copies, these iconic pieces of art are becoming scarce.

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2020 Panini Prizm WNBA Candace Parker Mojo Prizm | Alt Value $264

A 2X league Champion, Candace Parker was recently named one of the 25 WNBA players of all-time. With the value of WNBA cards on the rise, this gem mint Mojo Prizm is a solid investment in a future Hall of Famer.

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Liquid Auctions Preview

Check out a few more of the gems you can find in this week’s Liquid Auctions.

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