1988 Donruss Bill Dawley #498
Bill Dawley · Donruss · Base Card
Player
Bill Dawley
Set
1988 Donruss Base Set
Year
1988
Card #
#498
Condition Grade
PSA 5 (EX) to PSA 6 (EX-MT). Visible issues include significant top-left corner softening, bottom-left corner ding, and noticeable edge chipping along the right border. Centering favors the left (approx 65/35).
Category
Base Card
Manufacturer
Donruss
Demand Level
Low/Niche. This is a common card from a massively overproduced era. Demand is primarily limited to Cardinals team collectors or those attempting to complete the full 1988 Donruss set.
Valuation
Raw (Ungraded) Value
$0.05 - $0.25
Graded Value
PSA 8: $5-10; PSA 9: $15-25; PSA 10: $40-60. Note: Grading costs significantly exceed the market value for this specific card.
Comparable Sales
Raw copies typically sell for pennies in bulk lots. Recent eBay sales for individual common cards from this set range from $0.99 to $1.99 (including shipping), often resulting in a net loss for the seller after fees.
Description
Featured is a 1988 Donruss Bill Dawley baseball card, number 498. The card showcases the relief pitcher in his St. Louis Cardinals uniform, captured in a crouching pose on the mound. The iconic 1988 Donruss design includes a blue border with black and red vertical accent bars. The bottom banner features the player's name and position in white text against a red background, accompanied by the circular St. Louis Cardinals team logo.
Key Features
Classic 'Junk Wax' era design; captures a journeyman reliever during his tenure with the 1980s Cardinals; highly recognizable border aesthetic of the late 80s.
Authenticity Indicators
High confidence. This card features authentic 1988 Donruss cardboard stock with the matte finish typical of the era. There are no known counterfeits of this specific card as it was mass-produced.
Flaws to Note
Softened corners (particularly top-left and bottom-left), edge wear/chipping on the black portions of the border, and minor surface scratches. Substantial left-to-right centering bias.
Selling Guide
Where to Sell
Best sold as part of a bulk lot on eBay or Mercari. Individual sale is most viable through COMC (Check Out My Cards) or in a 'quarter box' at a local card show.
Selling Tips
Do not grade this card, as the fees will far outweigh the profit. Use it as a 'filler' for set building or include it in a St. Louis Cardinals team bag. When listing, mention '1988 Donruss' and 'Cardinals' to attract specialized set/team collectors.