Auston Matthews Rookie Cards Checklist and Gallery
Like other top overall draft picks, Auston Matthews came into his rookie season with high expectations from fans and collectors. He did not disappoint. The Auston Matthews rookie cards have seen considerable interest and value thanks to his play for the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Born and raised in the United States, Auston Matthews has helped re-energize the storied Maple Leafs franchise. This started in year one when he won the 2016-17 Calder Memorial Trophy as NHL Rookie of the Year. Subsequent accolades include the Maurice "Rocket" Richard Trophy, Hart Memorial Trophy and Ted Lindsay Award.
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As is typically the case, Auston Matthews rookie cards started off slowly with redemptions to begin the collecting season. However, the options picked up as new rookie cards featuring Matthews continued to roll out.
The list below documents all the Auston Matthew rookie cards from 2016-17 hockey releases. In addition to the base card from each set, notable inserts are also featured.
Auston Matthews Rookie Cards Checklist and Gallery
Click on the listing to shop for cards on eBay. Linked sets in the descriptions go directly to detailed product profiles.
2016-17 Fleer Showcase Hot Prospects Auston Matthews RC #190 Autograph #/99
Both of the Auston Matthews rookie autographs in 2016-17 Fleer Showcase are short prints. The main signed version is limited to 99 while the majority of the Hot Prospects set checks in at 499 copies.
In addition, the autographed patch card flips to a horizontal layout and drops the print run to just 35 copies. Collectors can also find several '90s-themed inserts for Matthews in greater supply.
2016-17 O-Pee-Chee Platinum Marquee Rookies Auston Matthews RC #151
Although he missed out on the first run of OPC, 2016-17 O-Pee-Chee Platinum puts Matthews on chromium stock. The Marquee Rookies subset is the place for budget collectors to look and the many parallels greatly increase the rarity and variety.
Matthews is also found in the on-card Rookie Auto insert as part of Group A, which has overall odds of 1:501 packs. These also bring with them lots of colorful parallels.
2016-17 SP Authentic Future Watch Rookies Auston Matthews #146 Autograph #/999
One of his more plentiful options at 999 copies, the Matthews rookie in 2016-17 SP Authentic still offers an on-card signature, making it more available than his other signed RC cards. There is also a limited Black Future Watch Autograph with gold ink. Both signed versions originally came as redemptions.
2016-17 SP Game Used Authentic Rookies Auston Matthews RC #101 #/34
The rarest of the bunch, 2016-17 SP Game Used has Authentic Rookies for the top players that are numbered to their jersey number. For Matthews, that means only 34 copies. While this makes it nearly impossible for the average collector to obtain, parallels are more plentiful. There are also jersey parallels, numbered to 399, as well as very rare autograph and autograph patch versions.
2016-17 SPx Shadow Box Rookies Auston Matthews #75 #/249
One of the more distinct Auston Matthews rookie cards, the Shadow Box Rookies subset in 2016-17 SPx is numbered to 249, but it adds relic and autograph relic editions. Collectors have also shown considerable interest in the Rookies and Extreme Black Holo Shield Autographs for Matthews.
2016-17 Ultimate Collection Auston Matthews RC #100, #160 Autograph #/99
Available in several forms across the primary set, 2016-17 Ultimate gives collectors a base Auston Matthews rookie card in the Ultimate Introductions Rookies subset as part of Level 4, which has overall group odds of 1:12 boxes.
He also has a signed Ultimate Rookies card (#/99) in the main set with an on-card autograph and one with an autograph patch.
2016-17 Upper Deck Series 1 Young Guns RC Auston Matthews #201
The flagship rookie set from UD, the Young Guns line typically offers the most popular cards each year and that is also the case for Matthews in 2016-17 Upper Deck Series 1. Despite the simple nature of the card, values are strong. Plus, rare parallels like the acetate Clear Cut, as well as Exclusives (#/100) and High Gloss (#/10), push prices much higher.
Matthews also has a dual checklist card with teammate William Nylander in the base set (#250), along with a very limited NHL Draft short print card that is shown below.
2016-17 Upper Deck Series 2: Canvas YG Auston Matthews #211
Although his primary Young Guns cards arrived in Series 1, 2016-17 Upper Deck Series 2 is the place to find the Auston Matthews UD Canvas YG card.
2016-17 Upper Deck Series 2: O-Pee-Chee Update Auston Matthews #694
In addition, despite missing out on the main OPC set, his base O-Pee-Chee rookie is still an option thanks to an update in Upper Deck Series 2. He has both the standard Marquee Rookies subset card and the Retro variation.
2016-17 Upper Deck Artifacts Rookie Redemptions Auston Matthews RC #RED207 (#/799)
One of the earliest '16-17 cards that can be tied to Matthews, most collectors suspected these 2016-17 Artifacts redemptions would yield Auston Matthews rookie cards despite not naming him on the card. Upper Deck later confirmed both for the Maple Leafs' young stud.
The base rookie (RED207), numbered to 799 copies, is joined by various #I relics and autograph editions.
2016-17 Upper Deck Black Lustrous Rookies Auston Matthews RC #75 Autograph #/99
Because of several delays, 2016-17 UD Black is the final Auston Matthews rookie card issued for the season instead of The Cup. The set includes the main Matthews option in the Lustrous Rookies subset. Hard-signed, Matthews is a short print with just 99 copies. He is also in many of the autographed inserts.
2016-17 Upper Deck Black Diamond - Diamond Relic Rookies Quad RC Auston Matthews #BRD-AM #/99
Taking the name quite seriously, 2016-17 UD Black Diamond includes actual diamonds in the primary rookie set. The Diamond Relic Rookies also come in single, double and triple form, with Matthews as the sole quad diamond rookie.
Also worth noting is the Rookie Gems insert for Matthews that is a bit more affordable and plentiful at 399 base copies.
2016-17 Upper Deck Exquisite Collection Auston Matthews Cards
Part of the high-end brand without a true home of its own, 2016-17 Exquisite Collection is actually found exclusively in other products. Collectors' first shot at Auston Matthews' Exquisite cards came in 2016-17 Black Diamond. In addition to his Rookie Draft Day and several different rookie relics, he also has a low-numbered Rookies card that is limited to his jersey number (#/34).
Round two of Exquisite Collection arrived in 2016-17 UD Ice. With it came a pair of Auston Matthews Exquisite autographs, including a 2009-10 tribute numbered to just 25 copies. Lastly, there was 2016-17 The Cup, featuring the RAP (#/34), and Endorsements auto relic (#/50).
2016-17 Upper Deck Ice Premieres Auston Matthews RC #200 #/99
As NHL collectors know, UD ICE means acetate, and for Auston Matthews, the end result is extreme rarity. Included in Level 1 of the 2016-17 Upper Deck Ice Premieres subset, Matthews only has 99 cards and prices are steep. He also has a signed version numbered to 25 copies.
2016-17 Upper Deck MVP Rookie Redemptions Auston Matthews
Another early redemption option, Auston Matthews is included in 2016-17 Upper Deck MVP with a 2016 NHL #1 Draft Pick card that comes in base and autograph form. In addition, he is part of the Atlantic Division Rookie redemption set. Collectors can find exclusive physical completion award cards, shown below on the right, through ePack for those that make the digital set.
2016-17 Upper Deck Overtime Auston Matthews RC #180
Issued in a distributor-exclusive promo set, Matthews has a base rookie and a blue uniform image variation in 2016-17 UD Overtime Hockey. Both arrived in Wave 3 packs.
2016-17 Upper Deck Parkhurst Auston Matthews RC #370
2016-17 Upper Deck Parkhurst is a low-end set, but the deep base checklist includes an Auston Matthews rookie card.
This is not to be confused with the blaster-exclusive Parkhurst Rookies Preview insert from '16-17 UD Series 1, shown below, that has a similar design.
2016-17 Upper Deck Premier Rookie Auto Patch Auston Matthews RC #108 #/199
The acetate Rookie Auto Patch in 2016-17 UD Premier has everything an Auston Matthews collector is looking for in a rookie card. Limited to 199 copies, the moderate jersey swatch is centered between an image of Matthews and an on-card signature.
2016-17 Upper Deck The Cup Rookie Auto Patch Auston Matthews RC #180 #/99
With just 99 copies, 2016-17 Upper Deck The Cup is the Auston Matthews rookie card to own if your budget allows it. The ultra-premium brand has no match among NHL cards.
Matthews also has several other impressive autographs in the product, including the 2005-06 Tribute autograph patch shown below. In addition, there are several Exquisite Collection inserts.
2016-17 Upper Deck Tim Horton's #1 NHL Draft Pick Redemption Auston Matthews
Becoming a frenzied annual tradition, 2016-17 UD Tim Horton's brought collectors one of the earliest shots at Matthews, albeit at a staggering 1:18,000 packs. The foil insert was originally issued via redemption.
2016-17 Upper Deck Trilogy Auston Matthews RC #51 #/999, #84 Level 2 Autograph #/99, #117 Level 3 Autograph #/25
Thrice as nice, 2016-17 UD Trilogy has tiered rookie cards with three main Rookie Premieres options for Auston Matthews. Among these are the Level 1 base cards, Level 2 Uncommon Autographs, and Level 3 Rare Autographs. Unsigned relic cards drop at each level and a triple signature card in Level 3 pairs Matthews with teammates Mitch Marner and William Nylander.
Other Early Auston Matthews Cards
2016 Upper Deck World Cup of Hockey Auston Matthews #WCH-27
No, your eyes do not deceive you. That floating head might not seem all that impressive but it belongs to Auston Matthews. Found in the 2016 UD World Cup of Hockey promo set, this is actually the first live, licensed, and pack-pulled card for Matthews.
2015-16 Upper Deck Portfolio XRC Rookie Redemption Auston Matthews
Part of a late-season release, Upper Deck wasted no time getting Auston Matthews redemptions into the hobby even though the subject was not confirmed until later.
2015-16 UD Portfolio features multiple base and autograph versions for Matthews, who is redemption #R1. This includes Rookie Phenom (#341), Rookie Phenom Wire Photo (#347), Color Art (#353), and Black & White Art (#359)
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