LAKEWOOD — Russell Wilson trading cards and Front Range real estate have something in common: If you think the prices are ridiculous now, you ain’t seen nothing yet.
“Demand for his stuff (locally) has gone up 1,000%,” noted Dominik Maligranda, co-owner of Cheek and Dom’s Awesome Card Shop in Lakewood. “Everyone’s looking to get that card before (Wilson) makes his regular-season debut and takes the Broncos to the Super Bowl. And everyone wants to jump on it before that happens.”
Maligranda said that even though as of mid-August only one card — a 2022 Panini Legacy — had been printed with Wilson in his new Broncos uniform, he’s seen a value increase of up to 20% since Denver’s quarterback arrived via a trade this past March.
“We have a few rookie (cards on-hand),” Maligranda said. “They come in and they leave the same day.”
The Denver Post recently visited Cheek and Dom’s store, which opened in 2020, and asked Maligranda to pull five of his favorite Wilson cards from the shop’s collection and break down what makes them so special …
1. 2022 PANINI LEGACY
Significance: First Wilson card in a Broncos uniform.
Cheek & Dom’s price: $2.00 (base, unsigned card)
Dom’s take: “There’s also an autographed version of this that you can pull in hobby boxes.”
2. 2012 PANINI PLAYBOOK BOOKLET
Significance: A piece of Wilson’s jersey is embedded into the card’s base.
Cheek & Dom’s price: $200.00.
Dom’s take: “It’s a ‘hard sign,’ meaning (Wilson) held every single booklet and signed it himself on the card.”
3. 2021 PRIZM SENSATIONAL SIGNATURES CAMO
Significance: Serial number on the back adds to the scarcity — and the value.
Cheek & Dom’s price: $350.00.
Dom’s take: “It’s only the third one (stamped), but because (No. 3) is his jersey number, it carries that premium value.”
4. 2020 PANINI FLAWLESS COLLEGIATE GREATS SIGNATURES
Significance: Features Wilson in a Wisconsin Badgers uniform.
Cheek & Dom’s price: $450.00.
Dom’s take: “(2011, Wilson’s senior collegiate season) was one of the best years Wisconsin’s ever had.”
5. 2012 TOPPS CHROME REFRACTOR AUTOGRAPHED
Significance: One of Wilson’s most valuable cards — and one whose rise in value has proven to be meteoric.
Cheek & Dom’s price: $2,800.00.
Dom’s take: “A couple years ago, this (cost) about $250 to $300.”
