An SGC 3 Jackie Robinson 1947-66 Exhibits card with certification number 8734762
sold for a whopping $930 in a March 2022 Heritage auction.
The description was "Offered is a 1947-66 Exhibits Jackie Robinson.
While it is fun to speculate that this could be a rookie card the truth is we know from the "MADE IN U.S.A." tagline measuring 5/8" it is a card from 1948. Close and not the easiest Exhibit card to find. Graded SGC VG 3. Rated for modest corner tip wear."
A different
SGC 3 Jackie Robinson 1947-66 Exhibits card sold thru Heritage in February 2022 for $396, but there is no mention of the tagline/date of print in the Heritage description, although it also has "MADE IN U.S.A" printed on the bottom right. I can't quite tell for sure if the MADE IN U.S.A. is the same size as the one that sold for $930, but they both look like they measure 5/8" and are therefore from 1948 (from the looks of other Jackie Exhibits, they may all have the same tagline indicating all were printed in '48).
I do not know if the description for the March auction card showing it was printed in 1948 had anything to do with it selling for more than the similar card did a month earlier, as it may have more to do with its eye appeal.
According to the
keymancollectibles website and I'm sure other sources, one can determine the year(s) an Exhibits card was printed based on the specific greeting/salutation and the tagline's size and what is actually printed (MADE IN U.S.A vs. Printed in U.S.A).
If this is indeed the case, then why don't a) Third Party Graders point out the years the cards were printed in their flip? b) More auction houses highlight the year printed in their description? Perhaps they already are, and I just haven't noticed? Or maybe its because no one else cares, as I guess it wasn't until recently that Exhibits cards became valuable.
If one can prove that their Exhibits card is actually printed in 1947 or 1948 , shouldn't those cards carry a premium over the later cards with the "Printed in U.S.A." tagline? Maybe they already do, to a certain extent.