AI Appraisal Estimate

This item is a 2015 Panini USA Baseball 'Team Signatures' trading card featuring Jordan Butler, specifically card number 18U-JB. It is a limited edition card, numbered 179 out of 499, indicated by '179/499' in the top right portion of the card. The card features a portrait image of Jordan Butler, a baseball player, wearing a cap and holding a glove. The main color scheme of the card's background is white with prominent red and blue accents, particularly a dynamic red and blue 'flag' design element at the top, consistent with USA Baseball branding. Below the image, the player's name 'JORDAN BUTLER' is printed in bold red lettering. A biographical blurb details Butler's pitching experience with the 2013 USA Baseball 15U National Team, highlighting his win on June 25, 2015, and a save on July 1. The card explicitly states 'The autograph is guaranteed by Panini America, Inc.' and features the 'PANINI' logo, although an actual autograph is not visible on this side of the card, suggesting it would be on the front or that this is an unsigned version from a set that includes signed cards. The bottom portion prominently displays 'TEAM SIGNATURES' in large blue letters, with the 'USA BASEBALL' logo beneath it. The reverse side mentions 'USA Baseball® trademarks and copyrights are used under license from USA Baseball. All Rights Reserved. © 2015 Panini America, Inc. Printed in the USA.' The card appears to be in good condition with sharp corners and clean edges, typical of a well-preserved trading card. There is no visible damage, creasing, or significant wear. The card stock appears to be of standard weight and finish for modern trading cards. Its clean state suggests it has been handled carefully or stored appropriately.

I have thoroughly examined the provided image of the 2015 Panini USA Baseball 'Team Signatures' Jordan Butler card (18U-JB, #179/499). **Condition & Authenticity:** Based on the visual evidence, the card appears to be in excellent condition. The corners are sharp, edges clean, and there are no visible creases, surface scratches, or significant wear. This suggests good handling and storage. The numbering 179/499 is clearly visible, confirming its limited status. The 'USA Baseball' and 'PANINI' logos, along with the text 'The autograph is guaranteed by Panini America, Inc.', contribute to its perceived authenticity as a legitimate Panini product. However, it's crucial to note that no autograph is visible on this side of the card, and this might be a base card from a set that also included signed versions. My authenticity assessment is based solely on the visual fidelity of the card to known Panini releases of this era. A full authenticity verification would require physical inspection to confirm card stock, print quality, and UV features, and ideally, an accompanying certificate of authenticity (if one existed separately for this specific card, though usually, Panini’s guarantee is printed directly on the card for signed versions, which this does not explicitly show). **Market Conditions & Comparables:** Cards for baseball prospects who do not reach the MLB, like Jordan Butler, generally have a significantly lower market demand than established stars or top prospects. While it's a limited edition, the print run of 499 is not exceedingly rare in the broader trading card market. Comparable non-autographed base cards of similar prospects from this set typically sell for minimal values, often in the single digits. The 'Team Signatures' branding implies this is part of a set where autographs are central, making a non-autographed version inherently less valuable. **Demand & Rarity:** The rarity (limited to 499) is somewhat offset by the low demand for Jordan Butler's cards given his professional trajectory did not involve significant MLB success. Player-specific demand is the primary driver for prospect cards, and without a major league career, the collector base is small, primarily limited to team-specific or player-specific completionists. **Factors Impacting Value:** The primary factor limiting value is the player's lack of major league prominence. The absence of an actual autograph on the card (despite being from a 'Team Signatures' set) significantly reduces its appeal compared to signed variants. Its excellent condition is a positive, but not enough to overcome the fundamental lack of demand. **Limitations:** Without a physical examination, I cannot confirm the exact texture, weight, or detect subtle surface imperfections. Crucially, without a physical card, I cannot verify the presence or absence of an actual autograph (which is not visible in the provided image). If an autograph is present on the front (perhaps not captured), the value would change dramatically. My appraisal assumes this card does *not* feature an on-card autograph.