1996 Upper Deck Cal Ripken Jr 1 Milestones 2131 Consecutive Games Card Appraisal

1996 Upper Deck Cal Ripken Jr. #1 Milestones 2131 Consecutive Games Card

This is a 1996 Upper Deck baseball card featuring the Baltimore Orioles legendary shortstop Cal Ripken Jr., specifically commemorating his record-breaking 2,131st consecutive game. The card is titled 'Milestones' and displays a classic full-color image of Ripken tipping his cap to the crowd in his white home jersey, set against a monochromatic background of cheering spectators. The card is housed in a clear protective plastic slab provided by JP's Authentic Collection. A label at the top of the holder identifies the card as '1996 UPPER DECK #1 CAL RIPKEN 2131' and includes the intriguing but chronologically inconsistent text 'GAME WORN SWATCH GAME DATED 9/9/2001'. The card itself appears to have sharp corners and a clean surface through the case, though the slab shows some minor surface scuffing. The design features gold-toned 'Milestones' lettering and a Lower Deck logo at the bottom center. Given the discrepancies on the label (the date 9/9/2001 post-dates the 1996 card set), this item would require careful verification of the swatch's authenticity and the grading company's provenance to determine its true market value.