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It looks like Spring is finally here and that means it’s time for our March 2022 PSA POP count update. Cue the applause.
Let’s start with the overall state of grading. PSA continues to crank out an unreal number of sports cards each month. The backlog still exists, but it looks like peak WNBA slabbing has subsided.
March 2022 was the lowest output for WNBA slabs since July 2021. In total, 337 WNBA cards were put in PSA slabs during the month.
The ultra modern sets continue to dominate the POP counts, but many of the W25 rookie cards that appear on PSA registry sets are beginning to aggressively rise. It appears the cooler market for 2021 and the overall level off in prices for 2020 is driving collectors and investors into the earlier years.
Lauren Jackson, Candace Parker, and Brittney Griner rookie cards each had double digit month over month increases, as the chase continues for more coveted PSA 10s.
Ultra Modern WNBA Cards Continue to Lead the Way
The narrative since last year continued in March. Almost 8,000 ultra modern WNBA cards are now in PSA slabs.
This number is still low in the grand scheme of sports cards. It’s still shocking to watch the number rise. Especially since a year ago there were about these many WNBA cards in PSA slabs in total.
As mentioned below, the output numbers are slowing. Outside of the color blasts, gold parallels, and various autos, demand for 2021 WNBA Prizm has been moderate. There is no anticipated rush to grade this set, so unless a major source of older WNBA cards surface, it looks like grading output is getting back to normal.
At least in our neck of the woods.
Rank | Set | POP Count | Growth |
---|---|---|---|
1 | 2020 Panini Prizm WNBA | 7079 | 2% |
2 | 1997 Pinnacle Inside | 3,956 | .3% |
3 | 1999 Hoops | 1,995 | 0% |
4 | 2000 SkyBox Dominion WNBA | 1,056 | <1% |
5 | 2000 Fleer Ultra WNBA | 1,034 | <1% |
6 | 1999 Fleer Ultra WNBA | 929 | <1% |
7 | 2019 Panini Donruss WNBA | 686 | 1% |
8 | 1998 Pinnacle WNBA | 355 | <1% |
9 | 2001 Fleer Tradition WNBA | 341 | <1% |
10 | 2001 Fleer Ultra WNBA | 229 | <1% |
#FreeBrittney Leads to POP Count Increase?
The situation with Brittney Griner is a serious matter. It’s also one that brought her name into the media.
It may be a coincidence, but this sleuth thinks her situation has a lot to do with the 27% increase in her rookie card month over month. Those evil flippers and investors are always looking to make a buck.
Other notable increases from the top 35 list of WNBA rookie cards include the 2001 Ultra Lauren Jackson rookie and the 2008 Rittenhouse Candace Parker.
Rank | Card | POP Count |
---|---|---|
1 | 2020 Prizm Sabrina Ionescu | 1,907 |
2 | 1997 Pinnacle Inside Sheryl Swoopes | 883 |
3 | 1997 Pinnacle Inside Cynthia Cooper | 797 |
4 | 1997 Pinnacle Inside Lisa Leslie | 618 |
5 | 2020 Prizm Satou Sabally | 190 |
6 | 1997 Pinnacle Inside Rebecca Lobo | 159 |
7 | 1999 Ultra Chamique Holdsclaw | 143 |
8 | 2000 Fleer Ultra Becky Hammon | 125 |
9 | 1997 Pinnacle Inside Tina Thompson | 123 |
10 | 2004 Ultra Diana Taurasi | 105 |
11 | 1999 Ultra Katie Smith | 68 |
12 | 2002 Authentix Sue Bird | 64 |
13 | 1999 Ultra Dawn Staley | 63 |
14 | 1999 Ultra Yolanda Griffith | 61 |
15 | 2002 Ultra Sue Bird | 58 |
16 | 2001 Ultra Tamika Catchings | 56 |
17 | 2016 Rittenhouse Breanna Stewart | 43 |
18 | 2001 Ultra Lauren Jackson | 36 |
19 | 2008 Rittenhouse Candace Parker | 34 |
20 | 2018 Rittenhouse A’ja WIlson | 30 |
21 | 2013 Rittenhouse Brittney Griner | 28 |
22 | 2002 Ultra Swin Cash | 27 |
23 | 2011 Rittenhouse Maya Moore | 24 |
24 | 2008 Rittenhouse Sylvia Fowles | 24 |
25 | 2013 Rittenhouse Elena Delle Donne | 22 |
26 | 2002 Authentix Swin Cash | 20 |
27 | 2006 Rittenhouse Seimone Augustus | 19 |
28 | 2010 Rittenhouse Tina Charles | 18 |
29 | 2006 Rittenhouse Cappie Pondexter | 18 |
30 | 2011 Rittenhouse Courtney Vandersloot | 15 |
31 | 2011 Rittenhouse Liz Cambage | 11 |
32 | 2013 Rittenhouse Skylar Diggins | 8 |
33 | 2012 Rittenhouse Nneka Owgumike | 8 |
34 | 2016 Rittenhouse Jonquel Jones | 8 |
35 | 2017 Rittenhouse Kelsey Plum | 7 |