2021 Panini XR Blue Parallel Sam Darnold #13 (SGC 9 Mint)

This is a 2021 Panini XR football card featuring quarterback Sam Darnold of the Carolina Panthers, identified as card #13 in the set. The card is a limited-edition 'Blue' parallel, specifically serial-numbered 127/199, which is visible on the lower right front surface. The card features a vibrant refractive foil finish with a radial sunburst pattern emanating from the player, accented by the distinctive 'XR' branding in the upper left. Darnold is depicted in a full-action pose wearing his black and blue Panthers home uniform. The card has been professionally graded by SGC (Sportscard Guaranty Corporation) and is encased in a signature 'Tuxedo' style black-gasket slab. SGC has assigned a grade of 9 (Mint), indicating very sharp corners, clean edges, and near-perfect surface quality with only minor imperfections allowed under magnification. The slab's header label includes the year, manufacturer, set name, player name, parallel designation, and serial number, along with a unique certification number (2975340). The physical condition of the holder appears excellent, with no visible cracks or heavy scuffing, effectively preserving the card's high-gloss finish and metallic blue foil elements.

Based on my examination of the high-resolution images provided, I have evaluated this 2021 Panini XR Sam Darnold Blue Parallel, serial numbered 127/199. The card is professionally encapsulated by SGC with a grade of 9 (Mint). Visually, the card displays excellent centering and sharp corners consistent with the Mint designation. The 'Tuxedo' slab is intact, providing high contrast for the blue metallic foil and the radial sunburst pattern. The serial numbering is clearly etched, matching the manufacturer's standards for this set. In the current secondary market, Sam Darnold's value has fluctuated due to shifts in his career trajectory. As a non-rookie parallel from a mid-tier product like XR, demand is primarily driven by team collectors or player completists. Comparable sales for numbered Panini parallels of this era in SGC 9 or PSA 9 typically fall within the $15 to $25 range. The limited print run of 199 adds some scarcity, but widespread availability of similar parallels prevents a higher premium. While the SGC encapsulation provides a high degree of confidence in authenticity and grade, digital images cannot fully verify the absence of microscopic surface scratches or confirm the plastic's chemical composition. A full physical inspection would be required to verify the slab's tamper-evident seals and perform a UV-light inspection to ensure the holder has not been compromised. No additional provenance documentation is expected for a modern card of this type, as the third-party grading certification serves as the primary authentication record.