2000 Upper Deck Roger Clemens Card #532 (Graded Mint 9)

This is a 2000 Upper Deck Major League Baseball trading card featuring pitcher Roger Clemens, designated as card #532 in the set. The card is encased in a protective plastic slab provided by the grading service Grademycards.com. Physically, the card features a 'Highlights' theme, documenting Clemens' trade from the Toronto Blue Jays to the New York Yankees in February 1999. It displays two distinct images: a large action shot of Clemens in a Toronto uniform and a smaller diamond-shaped inset showing him in a Yankees cap. The design utilizes a modern aesthetic with white, black, and gold colors, and includes the Upper Deck logo in the lower-left corner. The card is professionally graded as a '9 MINT', indicating sharp corners, excellent centering, and minimal surface imperfections. The encapsulation case appears to be in good condition, protecting the card from environmental wear or handling damage. No visible creases or whitening are present on the card edges through the plastic. The label includes a serial number (11463) and a barcode for authentication and inventory purposes.

I have virtually examined the 2000 Upper Deck Roger Clemens #532, graded Mint 9 by GMC (Grademycards.com). The card visually demonstrates sharp corners, clean edges, and excellent centering. The 'Highlights' design, featuring both his tenure with the Blue Jays and transition to the Yankees, remains a popular mid-career subset for player collectors. However, several factors significantly impact its market value. While the card is in superb condition, the 2000 Upper Deck base set was produced in high volume during the 'junk wax' era transition, making the card common rather than rare. Furthermore, GMC is a third-tier grading service; the market generally discounts cards authenticated by GMC compared to industry leaders like PSA, SGC, or BGS. The valuation reflects what this card would realistically fetch in an open auction environment, where it primarily appeals to Clemens completionists. Limitations of this appraisal: Authenticity cannot be definitively verified through digital images alone. A physical inspection is necessary to confirm the integrity of the slab's ultrasonic seal to ensure it has not been tampered with. I would also need to verify the card's surface under 10x magnification to rule out chemical cleaning or trimming that might have been missed by a smaller grading firm. For a definitive authentication, verification of the serial number against a proprietary database and an in-person examination of the card's stock and ink patterns under UV light would be required.