Doug Martin Rookie Cards Checklist and Guide
Following back-to-back 200-yard rushing games, Doug Martin rookie cards took off. The Tampa Bay running back has emerged as one of the top rookies in an already crowded crop of standout first-year players.
Entering the 2012 season, everyone knew how deep the rookie class was. However, much of the talk surrounded the likes of Robert Griffin III, Andrew Luck and Trent Richardson. Then Ryan Tannehill, Brandon Weedon and Russell Wilson were named starting quarterbacks. Despite all this, it's Doug Martin rookie cards that are quickly taking over.
Drafted by the Buccaneers with the 31st pick in the 2012 NFL Draft, Martin spent his college years at Boise State. And while he was one of the top running backs in the draft, Martin's initial hobby standing languished behind that of the stellar group of quarterbacks.
For collectors, this isn't necessarily a bad thing, even though prices have jumped tremendously. That's because Martin's early autographed rookie cards have moderately higher print runs that several of Luck's and Griffin's. They're still relatively rare, though.
Below is a full list of Doug Martin rookie cards. We've included full details and images for every card.
Doug Martin Rookie Card Guide
2012 Absolute Football Doug Martin RC #212 Autographed Jersey #/299
Doug Martin has several cards in 2012 Absolute Football that have a similar design. His rookie card is numbered to 299 and comes with an autograph and a jersey piece displayed by a window that reads, "NFL." The Absolute design is extremely shiny.
2012 Bowman Football Doug Martin RC #155
Released before the season began, the 2012 Bowman Doug Martin rookie features the running back in a generic jersey. The strong design isn't for everyone, but it is a reasonably priced option.
2012 Bowman Sterling Football Doug Martin RC #90
Loaded with chromium, the 2012 Bowman Sterling Doug Martin rookie card costs more than most non-serial numbered cards. The set is on the high end cost-wise, but base cards aren't all that plentiful. This will result in one of the running back's rarer mid-range rookies.
2012 Elite Football Doug Martin RC #138 #/799
For many collectors, they want high-end options, but autographs often put the top cards out of reach. Elite finds the balanced. Numbered to 799, the 2012 Elite Doug Martin rookie card has relative rarity on its side. However, without a signature or memorabilia, it still shouldn't break your budget.
2012 Panini Certified Doug Martin RC #325 Autographed Jersey #/399
2012 Panini Certified comes with a lot of flash. It's also got a lot of the bells and whistles premium collectors like. The foil-based card has a pair of player-worn jersey swatches, an autograph and low numbering. This is a solid option for high-end collectors who might be priced out of the market for super premium releases like Topps Five Star and Panini National Treasures.
2012 Panini Contenders Doug Martin RC #211 Autograph
Delivering an on-card signature and stemming from a popular brand with a lot of history in the hobby, this is one of the top Doug Martin rookie cards. There's also a short print variation that comes with a different photo. 2012 Panini Contenders Football Rookie Ticket Autographs are not serial numbered, but that doesn't seem to bother collectors.
2012 Panini Crown Royale Doug Martin RC #262 Autographed Patch #/249 - Redemption
A large patch piece looms in the background of this distinctly designed rookie. Part of the Rookie Silhouette subset, the card also comes with an autograph and a limited print run of 249. The card is inserted in packs as a redemption. A retail version, numbered to 299, has a different photo and no autograph.
2012 Panini Gridiron Doug Martin RC #314 Autograph #/299
The 2012 Panini Gridiron Gear Doug Martin is one of his most unique rookie cards. It is highlighted by a signed piece of white jersey material. The swatch also slides out the top of the card.
2012 Panini Limited Doug Martin RC #211 Autographed Jersey #/299
Mixing a multi-color swatch with an on-card signature, the 2012 Panini Limited Doug Martin rookie card has a nice high-end feel, particularly those who like a little glisten in their collection. The card comes numbered to 299.
2012 Panini Momentum Doug Martin RC #110 Autographed Jersey #/399
One of the more striking Doug Martin rookies, 2012 Panini Momentum has an autograph and three jersey windows. The set has one of the more polarizing designs of the year. Many collectors love it while others are turned off by its dark look.
2012 Panini National Treasures Doug Martin RC #311 Autographed Patch #/99
This is easily one of the most valuable Doug Martin rookie cards. Boasting an on-card autograph and a nice sized patch swatch, it is numbered to 99. National Treasures is among the most popular brands for rookie cards. All these factors make it an extremely pricey but equally desirable card.
2012 Panini Playbook Doug Martin RC #187 Autographed Dual Memorabilia Book #/149
2012 Panini Playbook has some of the most interesting rookies of the year. For Doug Martin, it starts with the fact that it's a book card. One side has the autograph and an over-sized piece of prime jersey. The other side has a pair of images along with another jersey piece.
2012 Panini Prestige Football Doug Martin RC #245
About as straightforward as it gets, 2012 Prestige Football offers an attractive low-end option. None of the rookies in the set are serial numbered. This keeps them readily available and at low prices. This is a great choice for casual collectors simply wanting a rookie card of the explosive running back.
2012 Panini Prime Signatures Doug Martin #251 Autograph #/199
The 2012 Panini Prime Signatures Doug Martin rookie offers an on-card autograph and a clean design. The low print run also makes the card more attractive. For those looking to add an autographed Martin to their collection, the reasonable price makes this one of the best options.
2012 Panini Prizm Doug Martin RC #212
One of the more popular debut brands of the year, Panini Prizm is the company's answer to Topps Chrome. Rookies are relatively short printed, but not by a lot. As a result, they remain reasonably priced. The set's Refractor-like Prizm parallels have proven to be the driving force in the set.
2012 Panini Prominence Doug Martin RC #216 Autograph #/90 (5 different)
2012 Panini Prominence has five different rookie card designs, all of which are autographed. Also, by splitting up the print run, each individual card comes with a very low serial number. The variety of options give collectors several choices. Big-time Doug Martin fans may want to go after all five while others may be content with one of their favorite design.
2012 Panini Rookies & Stars Doug Martin RC #225 Autographed Jersey #/499
Mixing a clean design with an autograph, large player-worn jersey swatch and limited numbering, the 2012 Panini Rookies & Stars Doug Martin rookie is one of his most popular cards. The set also comes with a long-standing popularity in the hobby, which should help long-term values.
2012 Panini Totally Certified Doug Martin RC #212 #/199
This card comes with an autograph (sticker) and jersey swatch that's layered underneath a die-cut window that reads, "Rookie." There's also the obvious flash that comes with the etched foil card stock. Distributed in packs as a redemption, redeemed cards are already being sent out.
2012 Score Doug Martin RC #328
Another simple, low-end card, 2012 Score is popular among set builders and casual collectors. It's highly unlikely that any of the base cards from this set will ever command big money, but it's still a great choice for those who are happy with a basic rookie card.
2012 Topps Doug Martin RC #204
2012 Topps Football is one of the most widely collected sets of the year. As a result, there is no shortage of supply. The card has a clean design and is readily available. Collectors looking for more of a chase can look out for the much more limited variation.
2012 Topps Chrome Football Doug Martin RC #147
For those who might not want a high-end rookie, the 2012 Topps Chrome Doug Martin rookie card may be the next best thing. The brand is hugely popular, giving a bit of a bump to an otherwise basic card.
2012 Topps Finest Football Doug Martin RC #108
2012 Topps Finest has the look of a high-end card, but not the price. Opting to include autographs as parallels, this has helped keep the cost of regular rookie cards at reasonable rates. Collectors can also chase several levels of Refractors.
2012 Topps Five Star Doug Martin #165 Autographed Patch #/50
While Five Star isn't quite as popular as National Treasures, this is probably the best Doug Martin rookie card. It has a lot of the same selling points as National Treasures (on-card autograph and patch swatch) but with a print run about half the size. Numbered to 50, this is also the running back's rarest rookie.
2012 Topps Inception Doug Martin RC #117 Autograph
2012 Topps Inception was one of the first sets of the year to offer on-card autographs from the year's top rookies. The striking design uses a dark backdrop and a stylized look in the player photos.
2012 Topps Magic Doug Martin RC #78
Care for a card with an old-time feel? Here's one that won't cost a ton either. 2012 Topps Magic is ideal for those looking for a straightforward Doug Martin rookie that's reasonably prices and has a solid look.
2012 Topps Platinum Doug Martin RC #108
Like Finest, the 2012 Topps Platinum Doug Martin rookie card is full of shine but costs a reasonable amount. Rookie autographs are once again part of the parallel sets and aren't official rookies.
2012 Topps Prime Doug Martin RC #77
2012 Topps Prime Football comes with both hobby and retail versions. The hobby version uses thicker card stock and pictures Martin running with the ball in one arm. The NFL logo can also be seen on a wall in the background. The 2012 Topps Prime retail Doug Martin rookie card is thinner. The photo shows Martin with the ball in both arms. His knees are also turned to the side.
2012 Topps Strata Doug Martin RC #18
Like all rookies in 2012 Topps Strata Football, Doug Martin has both hobby and retail versions. The hobby version is thicker. It also shows Martin with his elbows closer to the side. The retail version show the running back with both of his arms more out to the side.
2012 Topps Triple Threads Doug Martin RC #107 Autographed Jersey #/99
Although the set isn't for everyone, 2012 Topps Triple Threads is one of Doug Martin's best rookie cards. It combines an autograph, a trio of jersey swatches and extremely low numbering to make it one of his most valuable first-year cards. Although numbered to 99, there are two different versions of the card, based on the die-cut windows that display the jersey swatches.
2012 Topps Turkey Red Doug Martin RC #80
Although not numbered, the 2012 Topps Turkey Red Doug Martin is still one of his tougher rookie cards. The set was originally an online exclusive. The single-pack box format also meant pulling particular cards was fairly tough.
2012 Topps Valor Doug Martin RC #118 #/170
This could be sleeper of all Doug Martin rookie cards. Without an autograph, it doesn't get the attention many of his high-end rookies do. The key here is the rarity. With just 170 numbered copies, it's one of the running back's toughest first-year cards.
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john
I have a Score card of Doug Martin #ed 1/5. What is its value? I also have 2/5, 3/5, 4/5, 5/5 of that same card. I have all five cards. What kind of value would you put on the set. Ty John L