Wayne gretzky indianapolis racers card value

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Wayne Gretzky Indianapolis Racers “pre-RC” from the 1990s

Wayne gretzky indianapolis racers card value
In the early 1990s, a different kind of fake Wayne Gretzky card surfaced. Instead of counterfeiting Gretzky’s 1979-80 O-Pee-Chee rookie card, an enterprising crook decided to take things one step further, and make a card of Gretzky as a member of the Indianapolis Racers.

Now, pretty much every hardcore hockey card collector knows that the card is a fake. Gretzky never appeared in any World Hockey Association trading card sets. Nor did the Indianapolis Racers ever release a team set. But if you have not seen this red-bordered phoney, let me assure you that this card is as fake as a $3 bill…and only worth as much, as it is an unlicensed item. I got this card for $1 in 1991. Many publications at the time warned collectors of this fake.

The front of the card features a black and white photo of Gretzky that has been colorized, much like the old cards from the 1950s. Interestingly, on his left sleeve you can see a bit of his uniform number-but it is not his familiar 99. Some photos used for press materials have shown Gretzky wearing number 20, though I can’t really tell if that is part of a 2 or a 7.

Wayne gretzky indianapolis racers card value
The back of the card details Gretzky’s contract with millionaire Nelson Scalbania (the Racers’ owner) and his subsequent trade to the Edmonton Oilers. The fine print at the bottom says © National Sports Cards. And while there is a “1” in the upper right corner-implying that this card is part of some set-no other wannabe cards have surfaced from this “set”.

I’m not sure what the counterfeiters’ intentions were. The card looks too “new” to be mistaken for something that is old and therefore valuable. Perhaps they figured they could print a million of these cards and sell them for $3 each to unwitting hockey card “investors”.

While I don’t advocate buying fake stuff, this card is just odd enough to shell out a few bucks for. I mean, how many times do you see a picture of Gretzky as a Racer? 

Wayne gretzky indianapolis racers card value

Sal Barry is the editor and webmaster of Puck Junk. He is a freelance hockey writer, college professor and terrible hockey player. Follow him on Twitter @puckjunk View all posts by Sal Barry

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When hockey cards exploded and became an investment commodity, Wayne Gretzky cards were one of the most counterfeited. One rare counterfeit showed Gretzky as a member of the WHA's Indianapolis Racers -- his first professional team -- and wearing the No. 7 jersey.

The Hockey News

The Hockey News

When hockey cards exploded in popularity in 1990, evolving from childhood collectible to adult investment commodity, many expensive cards – including Wayne Gretzky’s rookie card from 1979-80 – were counterfeited. However, another fake Gretzky card of unknown origin also surfaced, showing him as a member of the Indianapolis Racers, Gretzky’s first professional team in 1978. The card doesn’t have a copyright date on the back, but it’s similar in quality to cards from the early 1990s. Look closely, and you’ll notice No. 7 on Gretzky’s right sleeve, as a jersey with his usual No. 99 wasn’t yet ready.

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How much is my Wayne Gretzky card worth?

Wayne Gretzky Hockey Trading Card Values.

Which Wayne Gretzky card is worth the most?

Wayne Gretzky 1979 O-Pee-Chee Base #18 PSA 10 — $1.29 million. Last December, Heritage Auctions sold a PSA 10 copy of Wayne Gretzky's rookie O-Pee-Chee card for $1.29 million. At the time, it was the first hockey card to break $1 million and was the most expensive hockey card ever sold.

How much do Wayne Gretzky cards sell for?

The card was first sold in August of 2016 for a then-record $465,000. Four years later, in December of 2020, the card was purchased at auction for $1.29 million, setting a new record. Five months later, the Gretzky rookie fetched a whopping $3.75 million. There have been other records shattered recently as well.

How much is a Wayne Gretzky rookie hockey card worth?

Wayne Gretzky rookie card sells for $3.75 million, shatters record for hockey card.

How much can you sell a Wayne Gretzky rookie card?

His rookie card recently sold for $3.75 million, which is the highest price ever for a single hockey card. Heritage Auctions sold the Gem Mint 10 rated 1979 O-Pee-Chee Gretzky rookie card for the whopping price, according to ESPN.