1991-92 Upper Deck Nikolai Khabibulin #652 BGS 8.5

This is a 1991-92 Upper Deck ice hockey trading card featuring goaltender Nikolai Khabibulin, card number 652. The card is professionally authenticated and graded by Beckett Grading Services (BGS), receiving an overall grade of 8.5 (Near Mint-Mint+). The card depicts Khabibulin in his Soviet Union (CCCP) uniform during the World Junior Tournament. The card features a white border with the '91-92 Upper Deck logo in the top left and his name and position at the top right. The action shot shows a goaltender in active play at the net. The physical construction is standard cardstock with a glossy finish. The item is encased in a rigid, ultrasonic-welded clear plastic 'slab' for protection. Notable features include the BGS silver label with serial number and subgrades (though subgrades are partially obscured). Visually, the centering appears strong for the era, and the corners are sharp within the slab. The slab itself shows some light surface scuffing but remains clear enough for viewing. This card is from the 'High Series' of the 1991-92 set, which is historically significant as it features early career highlights of several international stars.

I have examined the 1991-92 Upper Deck Nikolai Khabibulin #652, graded BGS 8.5. This card represents a key piece of the 'High Series' production, capturing the future Stanley Cup champion during his tenure with the CCCP. The card is professionally slabbed in a Beckett Grading Services tamper-evident holder. Visually, the centering is excellent, approximately 50/50, which is superior to many examples from this mass-produced 'Junk Wax' era. The edges appear clean through the slab, and the surface retains much of its original factory gloss. Market conditions for 1990s hockey cards are currently stable but heavily saturated. While Khabibulin is a respected figure in goaltending history, his rookie-era cards were printed in massive quantities, limiting their rarity. An 8.5 grade is considered 'Near Mint-Mint+,' which is high for general collectors but falls short of the 'Gem Mint' premium sought by high-end investors. Recent sales for BGS 8.5 and PSA 8 equivalents range from $12 to $28. My valuation reflects its status as a collector's item rather than a high-yield investment piece. Verification Note: My assessment is based solely on digital images. While the BGS slab provides a high degree of confidence in authenticity, a physical inspection is required to verify the integrity of the sonic seal and check for holder tampering ('slab cracking'). To provide a definitive certification of authenticity, I would need to verify the BGS serial number against the Beckett database and examine the card under a jeweler’s loupe to inspect the micro-printing patterns and ensure the card was not trimmed prior to encapsulation.