Congratulations, 2023 CGC Cards Registry Award Winners!
Posted on 1/31/2024
CGC Cards™ is excited to announce the winners of the CGC Cards Registry Awards, including sets for TCGs, sports cards and non-sports cards! With so many options, it was a difficult decision for our panel of judges to select the 20 Best Sets of the Year across all of the categories. After much deliberation, our panel selected the following winners. Congratulations to all!
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Sports Card Winners
This collector has an impressive 118 cards featuring "The Great One." Many sportswriters called Wayne Gretzky the greatest ice hockey player ever, and he was deservedly inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1999 upon his retirement. Most notably, KB! has both of the coveted Topps and O-Pee-Chee rookie cards in his collection, which are considered to be must-own cards for serious hockey collectors: the 1979-80 O-Pee-Chee #18 Wayne Gretzky (CGC 6.5) and 1979-80 Topps #18 Wayne Gretzky (CGC 7.5).
This personal collection of former NHL player, executive and coach Doug Weight boasts 102 cards, many of which are either autographed or include memorabilia. Weight played for six teams over his 19-year career, including the New York Rangers, Edmonton Oilers, St. Louis Blues, Carolina Hurricanes, Anaheim Ducks and New York Islanders. He won the Stanley Cup with the Hurricanes in 2006 over his former Oilers team and briefly coached the Islanders from 2017-18.
UFC Topps 2009 Round 1 Base Set – 1980sMoshPit
Released in February 2009, this set consists of the first officially licensed UFC trading cards. The complete collection of 102 cards, including three checklists, has seven cards graded CGC 9, 55 CGC 9.5s and 40 CGC Gem Mint 10s. 1980sMoshPit had the set reholdered in the new CGC Cards black label and is a dedicated collector of UFC cards, with a second complete set and nine additional 2009 Topps UFC Round 1 parallel sets started or completed.
The CWC Limitless Collection – CollectingWithCaleb
This collector has a complete set of 2018 Limitless Wresting Series 1, which may be one of the most difficult and valuable independent cards sets in the wrestling community. With 65 cards in total, the set includes a donation exclusive #00 The Buffalo Boys (CGC 7.5). With an unknown print run, these cards were distributed in randomized packs at the July 2018 Vacationland Cup. Notable cards include #5 Allie Kat (CGC 8.5), #20 "American Nightmare" Cody Rhodes (CGC 7.5) and #51 Maxwell Jacob Friedman (CGC 6).
Tim Duncan collection – jdmtdcolletor
Tim Duncan is widely regarded as the greatest power forward in NBA history, spending his 19-year career with the San Antonio Spurs. He was the first overall pick in the 1997 NBA Draft and was named NBA Rookie of the Year. Duncan is a five-time NBA champion and the only player to be selected to the All-NBA and All-Defensive Teams for 13 consecutive seasons. This collection has cards that span his entire career and beyond, including rookie cards such as 1997-98 Metal Universe #66 Tim Duncan (CGC Gem Mint 10), 1997-98 Topps #115 Tim Duncan (CGC Gem Mint 10) and 1997-98 Topps Finest #101 Tim Duncan (CGC Gem Mint 10).
2003-04 Topps Chrome Complete Set (178) – TNewhart12
This collector took the time to make Owner’s Comments for his complete set of basketball cards, including all the short-print language variation cards. “This set is one of the most Iconic Basketball Sets of all time...right up there with the 1986-87 Fleer Set and the 1996-1997 Topps Chrome Set.” This 165-card set features a historic rookie class, including #111 LeBron James (CGC 9), #113 Carmelo Anthony (CGC 9.5), #114 Chris Bosh (CGC Gem Mint 10) and #115 Dwyane Wade (CGC Gem Mint 10). The LeBron James rookie card included in this set is considered a key card for collectors.
Clayton Kershaw Collection – Mnckla22
Clayton Kershaw was the youngest player in the MLB when he made his debut in 2008 with the LA Dodgers at 20 years old. He has played his entire career with the Dodgers, and the left-handed starting pitcher is a 10-time All-Star, three-time National League Cy Young Award winner and a World Series champion. He has an impressive win-loss record of 210-92. This collection showcases 352 cards over Kershaw's pro career, including several rookie cards like the 2008 Bowman Sterling #BS-CK Clayton Kershaw (CGC 9), 2008 Topps Heritage #595 Clayton Kershaw (CGC 9) and 2008 SPx Rookie Signatures #151 Clayton Kershaw (CGC Gem Mint 10).
During the Great Depression, the Goudey Card Company released one of their most popular baseball sets in 1933, which was arguably the most important of the decade. The 240-card set features some of the best players of the day, including several Hall of Famers, and some players have multiple cards in the set. Peanut3678 has an impressive collection of 1933 Goudeys, with a total of 117 cards, including #53 Babe Ruth (CGC 4.5), #89 Tris Speaker (CGC 3), #92 Lou Gehrig (CGC 2.5) and #119 Rogers Hornsby (CGC 5).
With an impressive 444 of the 528 cards in the 1975 Topps football set, this vintage football collection includes two key rookie cards: the #12 Mel Blount (CGC 8.5) and #282 Lynn Swann (CGC 8). This set is packed with plenty of stars, rookie cards and Hall of Fame players, including #416 Joe Theismann (CGC 7), #461 Terry Bradshaw (CGC 8.5) and #500 O.J. Simpson (CGC 8.5). The set also contains five subsets, including Conference Leaders (#1-6), All-Pro (#201-225), Record Breakers (#351-356), Highlights (#452-460) and Conference and Super Bowl Winners (#526-528).
Aaron Rodgers is regarded as one of the most talented quarterbacks of all time. Drafted in the first round of the 2005 NFL Draft by the Green Bay Packers, he backed up iconic Packers QB Brett Favre for three years before becoming the starting quarterback in 2008. Just two years later in 2010, Rodgers led the Packers to a Super Bowl victory. This collection of 128 cards ranges from Rodgers' rookie year to the end of his time with Green Bay in 2023, when he signed with the New York Jets. Notable cards included in this collection are the 2005 Topps #431 Aaron Rodgers (CGC 9.5), 2005 Score #352 Aaron Rodgers (CGC Gem Mint 10) and 2005 Bowman #112 Aaron Rodgers (CGC 9.5) rookie cards.
TCG and Non-sports Card Winners
Pokémon
Base Set 1st Edition – The Pullfather's - Base 1st Edition Set by The Pullfather
The Pullfather's Base 1st Edition Set is complete, with cards graded CGC 8.5 or higher. Many cards in the set are graded Gem Mint 10, and he even has several Pristine 10s! Pokémon cards were extremely popular when they came out and many kids carried their cards around in pockets, which damaged the cards over time. Finding Base Set 1st Edition cards in these high grades is exceedingly rare, which makes The Pullfather’s set even more impressive!
Japanese Sets, Vending Series 1 – Vending 1 by @thepokemonsanctuary
Released in 1998, Vending Series cards were unlike regular Pokémon expansions. These cards could only be obtained by purchasing randomized sheets from vending machines. @thepokemonsactuary’s Japanese language set Vending Series 1 is 100% complete, and most of the cards are CGC Gem Mint 10!
Snorlax Master Set – Snorlax Master Set by SnorlaxCollective
SnorlaxCollective’s Snorlax Master Set is 98% complete, missing only the two Topps Chrome Series 2 cards. Collecting the Master Set is quite a feat, as this set contains every English language Snorlax card ever released! SnorlaxCollective’s set features cards graded CGC 7 or higher, including many Gem Mint 10s and even several Pristine 10s!
Magic: The Gathering
Arabian Nights Master Set – Arabian Fun by Adam Cai
Arabian Nights was the first Magic: The Gathering expansion. Magic creator and designer Richard Garfield took inspiration for this set from the One Thousand and One Arabian Nights collection of Middle Eastern Folktales. Adam Cai’s set is 100% complete and features cards graded CGC 9 or higher, including many Gem Mint 10s!
Legends Master Set – Legends by Fuzzy76456
The Magic expansion Legends won the 1994 GAMA Award for Best Game Accessory of the Year! This expansion introduced new mechanics such as Legends and Legendary Lands, which were unique creatures and lands representing important characters and places in the set’s story. Fuzzy76456’s set is 83% complete and includes some CGC Gem Mint 10s and even a Pristine 10!
Marvel
Marvel Super Heroes 1966 (Donruss) – Brain's 1966 Marvel Super Heroes Donruss by Brain
Released in 1966, the Marvel Super Heroes series is the oldest set of Marvel cards! One of the unique features of this set is the “Write your own caption” cards, which include a blank word bubble for collectors to fill in. Many kids would actually write captions on the cards, making it difficult to find cards without writing on them. Brain’s set is 86% complete and includes 12 blank “Write your own caption” cards!
Marvel Universe Series I – Spiderguy's Marvel Universe Series 1 "BLUE LABEL" by Spiderguy’s Cards
Released in 1990, these cards feature superhero “stats” similar to sports cards, complete with the character’s real name, battles fought, wins, losses, nicknames and even their archenemies! Spiderguy’s Cards’ set is 89% complete and includes many cards graded Gem Mint 10 and Pristine 10!
Disney Lorcana
The First Chapter - Rainbow Foil – Disney Enchanted by SuiGeneris
This set contains all the Enchanted cards from the first set released of the new Disney Lorcana TCG, The First Chapter. These cards are the rarest of the rare, and the set contains some of the most well-known and popular Disney characters, such as Mickey Mouse, Tinker Bell and Elsa! SuiGeneris’s set is 100% complete and all cards are graded either Gem Mint 10 or Pristine 10!
D23 Expo – Lorcana D23 by Jayncoke
This set contains Disney Lorcana Promo cards that were only available at the 2022 Disney D23 Expo. Mickey Mouse was given away for free at the Lorcana booth, and though the remaining cards could be purchased, only a limited quantity of all the cards were available. The set features both Disney heroes and villains, such as Robin Hood, Stitch, Cruella De Vil and Captain Hook! Jayncoke’s set is 100% complete and the entire set consists of cards graded Gem Mint 10!
Mars Attacks!
Mars Attacks! 1962 – Seam's Alien Fun by Stan413
Mars Attacks! is the oldest winning TCG/non-sports set this year! The cards form a story about Martians invading Earth to make it their new home. Though popular with kids, the graphic images caused concern with parents and Topps halted production due to public pressure. Stan413’s set is 96% complete, missing only two cards!
The CGC Cards Registry awards are open to all CGC Cards Registry participants. To participate in the CGC Cards Registry, visit the registry at CGCcards.com, register your CGC-graded cards and create a competitive set. It’s free and easy to join!
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