1994 Upper Deck Billy Wagner Star Rookie #26
Billy Wagner · Upper Deck · Rookie Card (RC), Star Rookie Subset
Player
Billy Wagner
Set
1994 Upper Deck Series 1
Year
1994
Card #
#26
Condition Grade
PSA 6 (EX-MT) or PSA 7 (Near Mint). Notable white chipping along the right edge, soft bottom-right corner, and visible surface dust/scratches on the gloss coating.
Category
Rookie Card (RC), Star Rookie Subset
Manufacturer
Upper Deck
Demand Level
Moderate. Demand fluctuates based on Wagner's Hall of Fame voting cycles. Interest typically peaks in December and January during HOF announcements.
Valuation
Raw (Ungraded) Value
$1.00 - $3.00
Graded Value
PSA 8: $15-25, PSA 9: $40-60, PSA 10: $250-350. (Note: Extremely high population for this set makes grading lower than a 10 non-profitable).
Comparable Sales
Raw copies typically sell for $1-2 plus shipping. PSA 9 copies have recently sold for $45, while PSA 10s command a significant premium ($300+) due to the difficulty of finding high-gloss 1994 cards without edge chipping.
Description
This 1994 Upper Deck card features Houston Astros legendary closer Billy Wagner as part of the 'Star Rookie' subset. The card shows Wagner in mid-delivery wearing a gray Astros road uniform. The design features a yellow header with blue text, a silver foil 'Major League Debut' logo in the bottom left, and a full-bleed photo style. The reverse includes minor league stats and a second player photograph.
Key Features
Billy Wagner is a borderline Hall of Fame candidate with 422 career saves. This is his most recognized true rookie card. The 'Star Rookie' branding is iconic for 90s Upper Deck collectors.
Authenticity Indicators
High confidence. Authentic indicators include the high-quality silver foil stamping on the 'Major League Debut' logo and the standard 1994 Upper Deck card stock thickness. This card is not commonly counterfeited.
Flaws to Note
Significant edge wear/chipping on the right side which is common for this set's dark borders. The bottom right corner shows visible rounding. There appear to be light surface scuffs on the high-gloss finish.
Selling Guide
Where to Sell
Best sold on eBay as a single or in a lot of mid-90s rookies. It is also suitable for COMC (Check Out My Cards) for long-term storage and easier sales to set builders.
Selling Tips
Do not grade this card unless it is absolutely flawless (Potential PSA 10), as the cost of grading exceeds the value of a mid-grade specimen. Use keywords like 'HOF?', 'Astros', and 'RC' in the title. Ship in a penny sleeve and top loader inside a non-machinable envelope.