The toughest modern cards you're still looking for...

[steve B]

Originally Posted by divecchia

Thanks for sharing all those modern toughies. I knew about quite a few of them, but was unaware of some of the more recent ones. I am amazed at the number of tough modern cards out there.

For me, the toughies that I’m looking for are the 1993 Pacific Nolan Ryan Ghostwriting cards. There are 110 different cards in total numbering from 111-220. Each card has 1 of 10 possible messages on the back that glows in the dark. The messages are all geared towards keeping kids off drugs and alcohol and staying in school.

Below is a list of the 10 different messages listed alphabetically.

1. BE SMART. DON'T START DRUGS OR ALCHOHOL
2. D.A.R.E. TO KEEP KIDS OFF DRUGS
3. DRUGS RUIN DREAMS
4. IN SPORTS DRUGS CAN CAUSE YOU TO MAKE AN ERROR
5. JUST SAY NO
6. SAY NO TO DRUGS
7. STAY IN SCHOOL
8. TO BE A WINNER YOU HAVE TO BE DRUG FREE
9. TO GET THE BEST GRADES, YOU HAVE TO STUDY
10. WINNERS DON'T USE DRUGS

Here is a photo of the front and back of card # 111 with the third photo taken in the dark showing the message, ”D.A.R.E. TO KEEP KIDS OFF DRUGS” on the back.



If anyone has one of these please let me know.

Thanks,
Donato

Interesting, I've never even heard of them. Are the messages specific to the card? So say message 2 is always on card 111?

Were they in packs, or distributed some other way? I can see someone making a public relations issue like some of the police sets by stamping a whole bunch of an existing set.

Steve B

[divecchia]

Hi Steve,

Yes, the messages are specific to the card number. Card #111 will always have "D.A.R.E. TO KEEP KIDS OFF DRUGS".

The cards were issued in foil packs. I have yet to pull one myself in the 1/2 dozen or so boxes that I've opened, but I know someone who has pulled a couple from these boxes. (see box pictured below)

I read somewhere many years ago that according to Mike Cramer, president of Pacific Cards, that there were only 200 of each message printed. That means there would be about 2,000 cards in total numbered from 110 through 220. He also said that not all of them made it into production because the thicker cards kept jamming up the machines, so some were pulled from production. So, I don't think anyone really knows how many are out there.

To date, PSA has graded about 160 "Ghostwriting" cards in total of which 70 are unique card numbers out of the possible 110. That means there are still 40 card numbers of the 110 that have yet to have an example graded by PSA. The card numbers that have been graded are all included in the Nolan Ryan Master set on the PSA Registry. I've only got 13 out of the 70 graded so far, so I have a looooooooong way to go.

If anyone has any other info or leads to these cards I would greatly appreciate it.

Thanks,
Donato

[quinnsryche]

2005 Upper Deck Ultimate Collection Dual Materials Signature Patch Aaron Rowand/Scott Podsednik. There are only 5 of these so I assume I'll never see one but I'll put it out there in just case. There are other versions of this card (autos only, jerseys only and auto jersey) but I am looking for the patch/auto version.

[steve B]

Originally Posted by divecchia

Hi Steve,

Yes, the messages are specific to the card number. Card #111 will always have "D.A.R.E. TO KEEP KIDS OFF DRUGS".

The cards were issued in foil packs. I have yet to pull one myself in the 1/2 dozen or so boxes that I've opened, but I know someone who has pulled a couple from these boxes. (see box pictured below)

I read somewhere many years ago that according to Mike Cramer, president of Pacific Cards, that there were only 200 of each message printed. That means there would be about 2,000 cards in total numbered from 110 through 220. He also said that not all of them made it into production because the thicker cards kept jamming up the machines, so some were pulled from production. So, I don't think anyone really knows how many are out there.

To date, PSA has graded about 160 "Ghostwriting" cards in total of which 70 are unique card numbers out of the possible 110. That means there are still 40 card numbers of the 110 that have yet to have an example graded by PSA. The card numbers that have been graded are all included in the Nolan Ryan Master set on the PSA Registry. I've only got 13 out of the 70 graded so far, so I have a looooooooong way to go.

If anyone has any other info or leads to these cards I would greatly appreciate it.

Thanks,
Donato

I'll have to check and see if I have any. I'm not even sure I have any of the regular set. Just one of those that slid past me.

Steve B