THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, January 29, 1995 TAG: 9501290247
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C11 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY BRIAN L. BIGELOW, SPECIAL TO THE VP/LS
LENGTH: Short : 45 lines
The result of Super Bowl XXIX will have a big impact among many communities. The fans, players, and cities involved (not to mention bettors!) have a great stake in the final score of the contest.
Card collectors haven't nearly so many reasons to be anxious. From their standpoint, the ``winners'' in this game have already been determined: the cards claiming victory are those of the San Francisco 49ers.
The collectible superiority of 49ers' items was established during the 1994 season, and in the year's preceding. Steve Young and Jerry Rice have proven themselves as dominant NFL stars.
Deion Sanders, Ken Norton, Rickey Watters, and other prominent San Francisco players have their hobby devotees, as well.
None of these players will see their collecting appeal (or card values) drop in the event of a San Diego upset: collector loyalty and collecting dollars, are too firmly committed.
It's unlikely, also, that San Diego players' cards will be too dramatically affected by the game's outcome. Stan Humphries and Junior Seau cards have attracted attention, but they're not yet the subject of ``dynasty'' conversations. Natrone Means' cards have already escalated in price, on the basis of his ``hot rookie'' status. Unless the Chargers perform extremely well, and continue doing so for a few more seasons, prices for their players' cards shouldn't be expected to set the collecting world on fire.
Football card collectors are in a unique position during this year's Super Bowl game: they can watch the excitement with the knowledge that, whatever the score, the selections they made during the season will remain secure. MEMO: Brian L. Bigelow is store manager and appraiser for Candl Coins &
Stamps, located on Independence Blvd. and North (Lynnhaven) Mall Drive
in Virginia Beach.
ILLUSTRATION: Natrone Means is one Charger whose card prices have soared this
season.
by CNB