AI Appraisal Estimate

This is a 1994 Upper Deck football trading card featuring Marshall Faulk during his rookie season with the Indianapolis Colts. The card measures standard trading card dimensions of 2.5 by 3.5 inches. The front of the card displays a full-action photograph of Faulk in a white practice jersey and helmet, numbered 28, carrying a football through agility drills. Notable design elements include the 'Upper Deck' logo in the top left, a name bar at the top reading 'MARSHALL FAULK' with 'COLTS' in a white box, and a distinct 'Star Rookie' gold foil-stamped logo in the bottom left corner. The card is printed on high-quality gloss-coated cardstock, a hallmark of Upper Deck production in the mid-1990s. The centering of the image appears slightly shifted toward the top edge. The corners show minor signs of softening, though it is currently protected within a clear plastic top-loader sleeve. No significant creases, scratches, or surface stains are visible from the image, but light edge wear may be present. This specific card represents the transition of a legendary Hall of Fame running back from San Diego State to the NFL and is a staple of 1990s sports memorabilia collections.

I have conducted a visual examination of this 1994 Upper Deck Marshall Faulk Star Rookie #1. The card appears to be an authentic example of mid-90s Upper Deck production, characterized by the correct gloss-coated cardstock and the distinct gold foil-stamped 'Star Rookie' logo. The action photograph is clear, and the 'Colts' name bar remains vibrant. Upon inspection, I noted the centering is slightly biased toward the top edge. The corners exhibit minor softening, and light edge wear is visible, which is common for this non-premium stock. These condition issues would likely prevent the card from achieving a 'Gem Mint' grade if submitted to PSA or BGS. Marshall Faulk is a legendary Hall of Famer, which ensures high demand for his rookies; however, this specific 1994 Upper Deck base card was mass-produced during the 'Junk Wax' era transition, making it high in supply. Market comparables for raw, ungraded copies typically range between $5 and $15 depending on the buyer's preference for centering. This valuation assumes the card is free of hidden surface scratches or micro-creasing not visible in the provided image. Note that a definitive determination of authenticity can only be made through in-person inspection to verify paper fiber density, UV light reaction of the gloss, and microscopic analysis of the printing dot patterns. A full authentication would also require checking for modern 'reprint' indicators which are often hidden in digital photographs.