2004 Topps Felix Hernandez Rookie Card #697
Felix Hernandez · Topps · Rookie Card (RC)
Player
Felix Hernandez
Set
2004 Topps Series 2
Year
2004
Card #
#697
Condition Grade
PSA 8 (NM-MT). The centering appears slightly heavy toward the left and top borders. Visual assessment of the corners shows minor white touches, particularly on the bottom right. The surface appears clean but the card is currently held barehanded which can transfer oils.
Category
Rookie Card (RC)
Manufacturer
Topps
Demand Level
Moderate. Demand is steady among Seattle Mariners team collectors and those speculating on his future Hall of Fame eligibility.
Valuation
Raw (Ungraded) Value
$10.00 - $20.00
Graded Value
PSA 8: $25-35, PSA 9: $50-70, PSA 10: $350-450
Comparable Sales
Recent raw copies have sold for $12-$18. PSA 9 copies consistently hover around $60. PSA 10 copies have seen volatility but typically settle between $375 and $450 depending on the auction timing.
Description
This is the iconic 2004 Topps Rookie Card of Seattle Mariners legend and Cy Young winner 'King' Felix Hernandez. The card features a dynamic action shot of Hernandez in his white Mariners home uniform mid-delivery. The design uses the classic 2004 Topps white-border layout with circular teal team branding at the top left. A must-have for Mariners fans and HOF-trajectory collectors.
Key Features
Official Topps Rookie Card; King Felix is a Mariners icon and perfect game thrower; holds significant nostalgic value for collectors of the mid-2000s era.
Authenticity Indicators
High confidence. The card stock depth, gloss finish, and dot-pattern printing on the team logo are consistent with genuine 2004 Topps production. This specific 'Base' version is rarely counterfeited, unlike the Chrome or Gold parallels.
Flaws to Note
Centering is approximately 60/40 favoring the left side. Bottom right corner shows slight whitening/softness. Handling without a penny sleeve may have introduced microscopic surface scratches or oils.
Selling Guide
Where to Sell
eBay is the best platform for this card to reach a national audience. For a quick local sale, a Seattle-area card shop or Facebook marketplace group would be effective due to his local legendary status.
Selling Tips
Do not sell this card raw while holding it with bare fingers; place it in a penny sleeve and top-loader immediately. Grading is only recommended if you believe it is a flawless PSA 10 candidate, as the jump from a 9 to a 10 is where the significant profit lies. Use keywords like 'King Felix', 'Mariners RC', and 'HOF?' in the title.