RPA is one of the more common phrases used among sports card collectors! It’s because they are perhaps the most sought after types of cards. So what is an RPA card?
RPA stands for Rookie Patch Auto. This means you’re getting a rookie card that has a piece of a jersey on it, and it is autographed. Commonly, these cards are also serial-numbered.
Why are they so sought after? Are all RPAs created equal? Let’s dive in so you can get a full understanding when you’re looking to buy your next RPA card.
The Death of Base
The most common phrase I hear today is “base is dead.”
Most products are printed like crazy to keep up with the continually increasing demand. In fact, some parallel cards (the colored, rarer versions of the base cards) are considered “dead” by some collectors. Some brands seem to produce every color of the rainbow, which some collectors like while others only go after the rarest or most popular colors (silver, for example)
While I think there’s still a place for lower-end collectors to go after base rookies, more and more collectors and flippers are turning towards rarer rookies.
And what’s rarer than a rookie card with an auto, a patch, and likely a serial number?
What Increases Value on an RPA Card?
Serial Numbered
I’m a sucker for any serial numbered card…even if it’s a nobody with a high print run! (Yes, I do have a Pepe Sanchez rookie numbered to 4,500, why do you ask?)
Collectors like them, plus you know exactly how rare they are. It probably goes without saying that a card numbered out of 500 is less valuable than the (basically) same card numbered out of 5.
Collectors also like the first and the last of the print run, although the jersey numbers (especially iconic jersey numbers), are usually valued the highest.
For example, a Jordan card numbered 23/50 will sell for a premium over any other number in that print run.
If you’re still not sure what the numbers on sports cards mean, check out my post What Do Numbers on Sports Cards Mean? (And Other Beginner Questions).
On-Card Signature
With players signing SO MANY CARDS nowadays, it’s easier for Fanatics or Topps or whoever to send sheets of stickers to the player to sign. That way, the player doesn’t need to handle boxes and boxes of cards (likely keeping them in better condition), and the manufacturer can save them for years if they want.
Sounds great!
Except…
They just don’t look as good. The card feels busier, a little dirtier…less clean. I know plenty of collectors who refuse to collect any auto that’s on a sticker, preferring the on-card auto.
Game-Worn Patches
Don’t get me started on this one…
When I first got back into collecting, I joined a break and pulled an RPA of a lower-end NBA rookie. Not bad for just getting back in.
Then I get the card, and on the back it says:
“The enclosed officially licensed material is not associated with any specific player, game, or event.”
In other words, they could’ve grabbed a towel from an auto parts shop for all we know! Some people refer to these as “napkin” patches because it literally could just be a napkin, for all we know.
This…surprised me to say the least. However, even “player-worn” stuff isn’t always what it’s cracked up to be when you get things like this:
Toss on 30 jerseys for 30 seconds, and it’s player-worn, right?
Either way, stay away from the not-associated-with-anything scams. The best version are “game-used” because then you know it was worn for more than 10 seconds at Topps Headquarters.
Multi-Colored Patch
Now we’re getting into the actual look of the patch itself!
Collectors (understandably) like having cool looking patches, and having multi-colors does that! The single color patch cards really don’t get many collectors excited.
Also, the multi-colored patches are rarer, also increasing value.
Designs, Laundry Tags, or Logos/Shields
Taking the look of the patch one step further are the patches with cool designs on them! If you’re a Chiefs fan, imagine getting a Patrick Mahomes RPA that has part of the team’s logo on the patch!
That’s really cool. Or a Lakers fan that gets part of the “L” on the card.
Next are the laundry tags. I don’t really get these because I think they look terrible, but they’re certainly rare because they’re obviously limited in quantity.
But really, tell me if the patch on this card looks good:
Meh.
But many collectors pay a premium. It’s all about rarity, I guess.
Then lastly, the most highly sought after…the crème de la crème…are the logos or the shield cards!
In the NBA, this means that you’ve got a patch with the NBA’s logo on it, like this $4.6 million Luka:
The parallel to this in the NFL is the shield.
That one sold for a measly $4.3 million. It should be ashamed of itself.
True RPA
I find this term to be obnoxious…but necessary to high-end collectors (so not me…yet).
In the premium brands like National Treasures, there used to be just one set of RPAs per player per year, and were numbered /99.
Now, these companies add other RPAs in addition to the /99 set. Those aren’t considered the player’s true RPA and often sell for less (excepting super-low print runs, like a 1/1).
For you, go with the one that you can afford. Obviously a true RPA is better (wouldn’t we all like the more expensive card?) but it’s not like the other RPA cards are worthless. They’re still patch auto cards.
What Should You Collect?
Obviously this talk about True RPAs and brands like National Treasures are likely not going to be your sweet spot for collecting. In fact, if you’re collecting those cards, I hope you already know enough that you don’t need this primer!
Here’s my advice:
In today’s climate, if you’re trying to find rookie cards to hold long-term, buy something other than base.
(You can read my post about identifying & collecting the right rookie cards here)
If you’re buying an older, rarer rookie, it doesn’t matter. For example, a 1996-97 Topps Kobe Bryant rookie can still fetch $900 as a PSA 10 because it’s older and the hobby wasn’t as well established.
Fast forward to today, and there are nearly 23k 2019-20 Panini Prizm Zion Williamson graded as a 10! There are nearly 18k graded as a 9!
In 20 years, even if Zion does live up to his potential (seems unlikely right now), there’s no way it could sniff $900. Just too many of them.
That makes RPAs a good alternative, especially if you can find some in cheaper brands. Sure, any Luke Doncic RPA won’t be cheap, but let’s say that right now you’re all in on Paolo Banchero.
Here’s a good one:
While it is a sticker auto with a fairly boring patch, you still get a nice brand in Select, and there are only 199 of these. That’s not a crazy price to get an RPA of an up-and-comer.
If the kid’s a star (which I think he is), that card’s going up.
Anyway, hope this helps you with your RPAs!