AI Appraisal Estimate

This is a standard 2.5 by 3.5 inch trading card featuring Garrison Hearst during his rookie tenure as a running back for the Arizona Cardinals. The card is produced by Donruss and utilizes a distinctive white, maroon, and silver color scheme. The central image depicts Hearst in a dynamic action pose, carrying a football and wearing his iconic number 23 red jersey and white helmet. A secondary player is visible in the background, partially obscured by the graphic design elements. The card face includes the official Arizona Cardinals logo in the top left and the classic 'D' Donruss logo in the bottom right corner. The text at the bottom clearly identifies the player and his position. Regarding condition, the card is housed in a clear protective sleeve, which has preserved its surface from significant scratching. The centering appears slightly heavy toward the left and bottom margins. The corners show original sharp factory cuts without visible fraying, and the edges appear clean. This piece represents the early 1990s era of sports card collecting, characterized by premium card stock and high-gloss photographic finishes. There are no visible ink marks, creases, or surface stains, suggesting a high technical grade for a modern collectible from this period.

I have carefully examined the provided high-resolution imagery of the 1993 Donruss Garrison Hearst Rookie Card #R12. My assessment reveals a card in 'Near Mint to Mint' condition. The surface retains its original high-gloss finish with no observable scratches or print defects. The four corners appear sharp, showing no signs of 'softening' or rounding typical of handled items. While the edges are clean, there is a slight centering bias of approximately 60/40 toward the left and bottom margins, which prevents a 'Gem Mint' designation. Authenticity is supported by correct font kerning, the specific dot-matrix pattern in the Donruss logo, and the accurate color saturation of the Arizona Cardinals branding. Market demand for Hearst rookie cards is currently niche, appealing primarily to Raiders or Cardinals team collectors. While Hearst was a remarkably talented back with a long career, he lacks the Hall of Fame status that drives significant value for cards from the 'junk wax' transition era. Recent sales of raw (ungraded) copies consistently fall within the $5 to $12 range. This appraisal is based solely on digital images. A definitive evaluation of card stock thickness, surface indentations, and chemical light-test verification of '93 Donruss stock requires physical inspection. To achieve full authentication, the item should be submitted to a third-party grading service (PSA, BGS, or SGC), where microscopic inspection can rule out sophisticated trimming or recoloring. For items of this market value, keeping the card in its current protective sleeve is recommended, as grading fees may exceed the card's secondary market value.