Why is the 1989 Fleer Billy Ripken error card so valuable?

Answer 1

The 1989 Fleer #616 Bill Ripken error card is not rare, nor valuable. With at least ten different variations, this card has a book value of about $5. for the corrected black box variation to the original F*** Face or "Rick Face" card that books for $15. But this card can be had for $5. on eBay as well.

The term Rick Face was coined by Beckett in 1989 so when they refer to this card they can do so without using profanity. Some variations include: Rick Face Double Die, Black Box square edge, round edge, and scribble. (methods used to covered up the profanity.)

I had a Baseball Card store at the time this card came out, and let me tell you people lost their minds to get one of these cards. The day people found out about it I sold out of Fleer wax packs in 10 minutes, and I didn't know why. There was a local Baseball Card show that was selling the cards for $100. each at the beginning of the day, and by the time the show finished, the cards were selling for $400.! Within a couple of years you could buy the same card for $30 - $50, and Now you could pick up the card for $5. - $15. nothing more than a novelty.

I call this the "Gotta have it" factor. When a new item comes out on the market there is a rush to be the first one on the block to own one. The demand out weighs the amount produced, and inflates the price. As time goes on the amount of items produced catches up with the demand, and everyone that wanted one has one. Now the price comes down significantly according to how many items are still available on the market, and the amount of buyers still in the market.

When the Supply out weighs the demand, you are left with a $5. Bill Riken card.