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THE HYPE INDEX

The honest read on what the hobby is chasing this week

Buy the comps, not hype

Week of November 2, 2026Updated every Monday

Get the Hype Index every Monday

The honest read on the week's most hyped cards. Real sold comps. Free.

Links on this board go to eBay. I earn from qualifying eBay purchases. Calls are my opinion, not financial advice.

  1. 1
    NFL

    JJ McCarthy

    2024 Prizm #400 Silver, Raw

    PASS$30

    The Giants made him the starter Oct 21. His Silver jumped 31% that week. The news is already in the price.

    See comps on eBayBuy on eBay
  2. 2
    MLB

    Jackson Chourio

    2022 Bowman Chrome Prospects #BCP-79 1st Bowman Chrome, PSA 10

    PASS$55

    World Series bump already happened: post-title sales are below the week's median.

    See comps on eBayBuy on eBay
  3. 3
    NBA

    Victor Wembanyama

    2025-26 Topps Chrome #221 Refractor, Raw

    WATCH$35

    Flat all week on 66 sales. Then he dropped 43 on Saturday. Watch whether the card notices.

    See comps on eBayBuy on eBay
  4. 4
    NBA

    Victor Wembanyama

    2023-24 Panini Prizm #136 base RC, Raw

    BUY$66

    Raw plus PSA's $39.99 grading costs about $15 more than a PSA 9, and 57% of PSA-graded copies come back a 10 worth about $320.

    See comps on eBayBuy on eBay
  5. 5
    NBA

    Kobe Bryant

    1996-97 Topps #138 RC, PSA 8

    BUY$171

    A slabbed Kobe Topps rookie for about $171, with change left over from $250.

    See comps on eBayBuy on eBay
  6. 6
    MLB

    Shohei Ohtani

    2018 Topps Update #US1 RC (pitching base), Raw

    BUY$93

    Ohtani's Topps Update rookie for about $93. Buy the pitching base, not a pricier variation.

    See comps on eBayBuy on eBayWatch the breakdown
  7. 7
    NBA

    Kobe Bryant

    1996-97 Hoops #281 RC, Raw

    BUY$24

    A real Kobe rookie for $24. The hobby is not too expensive, the hype is.

    See comps on eBayBuy on eBay
  8. 8
    NBA

    Luka Doncic

    2018-19 Panini Prizm #280 base RC, PSA 10

    BUY$210

    A PSA 10 Luka rookie for about $210, with $40 left from $250. A PSA 9 is about $83, so you're paying for the 10.

    See comps on eBayBuy on eBayWatch the breakdown
  9. 9
    NBA

    Kobe Bryant

    1996-97 Metal #181 RC, Raw

    BUY$81

    Kobe's Metal rookie for about $81. Under $100 and no excuses needed.

    See comps on eBayBuy on eBay
  10. 10
    NFL

    Patrick Mahomes

    2017 Score #403 Rookies RC, Raw

    BUY$23.50

    A real Mahomes rookie for about $23.50. Check the corners and make sure it's base, not a Scorecard parallel.

    See comps on eBayBuy on eBayWatch the breakdown

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What's driving it

HerdBuying because everyone else is buying.
LoopThe hype is feeding itself. Rising prices create posts, which drive more buying.
ScarcityLimited supply is pushing the price up.
NostalgiaOlder collectors coming back for a name they remember.
HedgePeople treating the card like a safe investment.
AnchorThe card looks cheap next to a pricier comparison.
CatalystA real event is driving it, not hype.