Dale Earnhardt Jr.
Rookie Card Year: 1994
Investment Rating: 7.5
Dale Earhardt Jr. is one of the most popular drivers of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. That isn't merely an opinion, it's a fact as evidenced by his 11 consecutive Most Popular Driver Awards.That translates well into the hobby where Dale Earnhardt Jr. cards and memorabilia are equally popular.
Son of the late Dale Earnhardt Sr., Dale Jr. had a lot of expectations heaped upon him at an early age. He has risen to the challenge, developing an iconic brand all his own and has become not only an accomplished driver, but team owner as well.
His rugged good looks, swagger and accomplishments have allowed Earnhardt to capitalize on opportunities off-the-track including movie appearances and national endorsement deals. As a result of his popularity, Dale Earnhardt Jr. has a wealth of collectibles, including trading cards, action figures, die-cast cars, prints and posters. A willing signer in-person, he has always been an approachable figure. This has also contributed to his popularity.
Dale Earhardt Jr. has just two rookie cards, both issued in 1994. Despite his willingness to sign, the demand for his autograph far outweighs supply. As a result his signed items command a premium. Some of Earnhardt's most popular collectibles are scale model die-cast cars and figures.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. Rookie Cards
1994 Press Pass Optima XL Dale Earnhardt Jr. RC #46
The cards from Press Pass Optima XL set are longer than traditional sized trading cards, measuring 2 1/2" by 4 11/16". They feature full-bleed photography and Earnhardt Jr's card is one of the four cards in the set representing the Earnhardt racing family.
1994 Wheels High Gear Dale Earnhardt Jr. RC #183
The 1994 Wheels High Gear Dale Earnhardt Jr. rookie card is traditional in size and features a posed photo of a very young Dale Jr. The card has foil accents and his name emblazoned in a diagonal along the bottom right hand corner.
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Dale Earnhardt Jr. Key Cards
There are a handful of cards from early in Dale Earnhardt Jr's career that are popular despite not being rookies. These include his first certified autographed trading card.
1998 Press Pass Signings Dale Earnhardt Jr. #39 Autograph
1999 Press Pass Stealth Headlines Fadin Black Dale Earnhardt Jr. #SH7
1999 Press Pass Premium Badge of Honor Reflector Shields Dale Earnhardt Jr. #BH2
1999 Press Pass VIP Die Cut Head Gear Dale Earnhardt Jr. #HG4
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Dale Earnhardt Jr. Autographed Memorabilia Buying Guide
Below you will find examples of what an authentic Dale Earnhardt Jr. autograph looks like. This can be used as a first point of reference for determining the legitimacy of autograph memorabilia, but is not a substitute for having your items authenticated by a well-respected professional autograph authentication company. Some of the trusted sources within the sports memorabilia market include the following companies: PSA, JSA, Steiner, Tristar, NASCAR and Mounted Memories. Click on any of the images below to view full size photos.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. Cut Signature Exemplar
Dale Earnhardt Jr. Key Signature Attributes: An authentic Dale Earnhardt Jr. signature will exhibit several distinguishing characteristics. His signature does have two fairly distinct versions. However, regardless of the type of item or when it was signed, look for the following signature features
- Signed on a slight angle above straight horizontal, with a lean to the right.
- A beautiful signature consisting of a fully legible first name and "Jr."
- The letter "D" is over-sized and start with a down line and up stroke, nearly forming a narrow loop; the curve of the "D" flows out of that and is completed with a full oval, allowing the pen to stay on the paper.
- The letter "a" is a flat oval shape.
- The letter "l" sometimes but not always, forms a very small , narrow open loop.
- The same is true for the letter "e."
- The "J" is pronounced with a larger loop on top, with both loops closed.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. Signed Photograph Pricing
Active Listings for Dale Earnhardt Jr. Signed Photographs
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Dale Earnhardt Jr. Die-Cast Cars
Die-cast cars have an incredible collector following amongst NASCAR collectors and fans alike. Dale Earhardt Jr. has had numerous cars created over the years in different degrees of quality and scale. The most popular scales are 1/24 and 1/64.
Active Listings for Dale Earnhardt Jr. Die-Cast Cars
Dale Earnhardt Jr. Action Figures
Dale Earnhardt Jr. has had numerous McFarlane SportsPicks figures created including variants, rare chase figures and even a tribute figure to his father Dale Sr. He appears in NASCAR Series 1, 2, 3, 4 and 6.
Active Listings for Dale Earnhardt Jr. Figures
Dale Earnhardt Jr. McFarlane SportsPicks Series 1 Regular
Dale Earnhardt Jr. McFarlane SportsPicks Series 1 Variant
Dale Earnhardt Jr. McFarlane SportsPicks Series 1 Chase
Dale Earnhardt Jr. McFarlane SportsPicks Series 1 Chase Tribute
Dale Earnhardt Jr. McFarlane SportsPicks Series 2
Dale Earnhardt Jr. McFarlane SportsPicks Series 2 Variant
Dale Earnhardt Jr. McFarlane SportsPicks Series 3
Dale Earnhardt Jr. McFarlane SportsPicks Series 4
Dale Earnhardt Jr McFarlane Series 4 Variant
Dale Earnhardt Jr McFarlane Series 6
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Jeanne | Jun 19, 2015 | Reply
I have original press sheets and some cut cards of Dale Jr. collectable cards that had gone to press prior to his death. I got them from a printer I worked with back then. I’m not sure if they were ever released. How would I find out?
Ken F. | Mar 1, 2016 | Reply
I was a graphic artist back in the day working for Anheuser Busch on Bud Racing and Busch Series point-of-sale items. I have a bunch of unused posters and such. One thing I have no idea how to value is several Dale Earnhardt Jr. signatures from the 1997-1998 season featuring his full name “& 3” since he was driving in the Busch Series back then in a #3 car. They are just on white paper. Any idea if theses have value? I’d assume there are a lot less #3 sigs than #8 or #88s.