Buying & selling
Junk wax era
The junk wax era, roughly 1987 to 1994, was a period of massive overproduction when cards were printed in such huge numbers that most from the era hold little value today.
In the late 1980s and early 1990s, booming demand led manufacturers to print cards in enormous quantities. So many survive in good condition that supply overwhelms demand, and most "junk wax" cards, even stars, are worth very little regardless of condition.
The name comes from wax packs, the wax-wrapped packs of the time.
Why it matters: it is a useful reality check. A card being old does not make it valuable, since junk wax era cards are plentiful. Scarcity, driven by lower print runs and serial numbering, is what the modern market rewards.
This glossary is a plain-language reference for collectors, not financial or purchasing advice. Card values move, so always check recent sales before you buy or sell.