wax box vs rack pack box value

Dontom · 01-03-2026, 10:13 PM

Why are wax boxes worth more then rack pack boxes? I know that rack packs can be searched but what about boxes from bbce from a sealed case? You know those aren't searched and you get almost double the amount of cards. Also you're not losing a card to gum stains and a card to wax stains from each pack. Yet the wax boxes are worth a couple of hundred bucks more than the rack boxes. Why is that?

ThoseBackPages · 01-03-2026, 10:37 PM

wax is it!

JoshMN · 01-03-2026, 10:51 PM

How do you know they aren’t searched?

ETA:

DynaEtch · 01-03-2026, 11:09 PM

No expert on sports wax, but what era are we talking about…like 80s?

If wax does go for more than rack, a couple possible explanations- the uninspired nature of the 80s Topps rack box which used the generic non-specific set design. It must be remembered the unopened box itself is a collectible unit in some ways, beyond the interior contents. And wax boxes are set specific and look awesome for display.

Another possible explanation- people often want the “standard” thing, in say a run of topps unopened material. Wax was the more standard form of pack.

Archangel1775 · 01-04-2026, 01:27 AM

Design and popularity. Racks and cellos can be "searched" via sequencing based on the visible cards. Racks have enough space in them to slide the cards over too without them being opened. Wax is pretty cut & dry, they are either factory original and sealed or opened and reglued together.

dodgerfanjohn · 01-04-2026, 02:14 AM

Where are you getting the idea that wax sells for more than racks? It’s not true.

Rack boxes generally produce better quality cards…no gum and no wax…also rack boxes have a lot more cards than wax boxes

Currently baseball card exchange has a 1985 Topps wax box FASC listed at $739 while a FASC rack box is $1050

Dontom · 01-04-2026, 08:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dodgerfanjohn

Where are you getting the idea that wax sells for more than racks? It’s not true.

Rack boxes generally produce better quality cards…no gum and no wax…also rack boxes have a lot more cards than wax boxes

Currently baseball card exchange has a 1985 Topps wax box FASC listed at $739 while a FASC rack box is $1050

Thats why I was confused. More cards and no gum or wax stains but I'm looking at 1984 topps FASC and the wax boxes are about $200 more compared to the rack boxes except for one overpriced rack box that's listed.

Dontom · 01-04-2026, 08:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Archangel1775

Design and popularity. Racks and cellos can be "searched" via sequencing based on the visible cards. Racks have enough space in them to slide the cards over too without them being opened. Wax is pretty cut & dry, they are either factory original and sealed or opened and reglued together.

I know they can be searched but I was comparing prices on BBCE FASC boxes so that takes the searching out to the equation.

BOOMER7 · 01-04-2026, 01:00 PM

1989 Bowman wax with GUM stains has become quite common. Just dissolves over the years, especially if not in a climate controlled area of storage over the years.

Tim · 01-04-2026, 01:20 PM

Double the cards in rack boxes to wax. If FASC, rack is better if not double the price

dodgerfanjohn · 01-04-2026, 01:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dontom

Thats why I was confused. More cards and no gum or wax stains but I'm looking at 1984 topps FASC and the wax boxes are about $200 more compared to the rack boxes except for one overpriced rack box that's listed.

Are you looking at eBay listings? If so, that’s not a good measure. Anyone can list for whatever they like on eBay.

01-03-2026, 10:13 PM	#1
Dontom Member Join Date: Sep 2018 Location: Chicago area Posts: 247	wax box vs rack pack box value Why are wax boxes worth more then rack pack boxes? I know that rack packs can be searched but what about boxes from bbce from a sealed case? You know those aren't searched and you get almost double the amount of cards. Also you're not losing a card to gum stains and a card to wax stains from each pack. Yet the wax boxes are worth a couple of hundred bucks more than the rack boxes. Why is that?

01-03-2026, 10:37 PM	#2
ThoseBackPages Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Long Island Posts: 90,492 ThoseBackPages	wax is it! __________________ Pumpers Paradise #YouCryIBuy Four things that we cannot change each others minds about: Politics, Religion, Third Party Grading, and 2021 Bowman's Best Rookie Cards

01-03-2026, 11:09 PM	#4
DynaEtch Member Join Date: Sep 2016 Posts: 9,770	wax box vs rack pack box value No expert on sports wax, but what era are we talking about…like 80s? If wax does go for more than rack, a couple possible explanations- the uninspired nature of the 80s Topps rack box which used the generic non-specific set design. It must be remembered the unopened box itself is a collectible unit in some ways, beyond the interior contents. And wax boxes are set specific and look awesome for display. Another possible explanation- people often want the “standard” thing, in say a run of topps unopened material. Wax was the more standard form of pack. __________________ ~~~ '90s trading cards === Golden Era ~~~

01-04-2026, 01:27 AM	#5
Archangel1775 Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Cali baby! Posts: 21,930	Design and popularity. Racks and cellos can be "searched" via sequencing based on the visible cards. Racks have enough space in them to slide the cards over too without them being opened. Wax is pretty cut & dry, they are either factory original and sealed or opened and reglued together. __________________ *There are the intangibles that set someone apart from the pack.So the blur isn't your inability to see his greatness, it's merely the inability to measure it.*

01-04-2026, 01:00 PM	#9
BOOMER7 Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: retired CHICAGO TO AZ GOLF COURSE Posts: 1,936	1989 Bowman wax with GUM stains has become quite common. Just dissolves over the years, especially if not in a climate controlled area of storage over the years. __________________ CHICAGO TO THE AZ golf course LIVING retired Last edited by BOOMER7; 01-04-2026 at 01:03 PM.

01-03-2026, 10:51 PM	#3
JoshMN Member Join Date: Jan 2022 Posts: 1,611	How do you know they aren’t searched? ETA:

01-04-2026, 02:14 AM	#6
dodgerfanjohn Member Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: Torrance, CA Posts: 5,513 sternroolz	Where are you getting the idea that wax sells for more than racks? It’s not true. Rack boxes generally produce better quality cards…no gum and no wax…also rack boxes have a lot more cards than wax boxes Currently baseball card exchange has a 1985 Topps wax box FASC listed at $739 while a FASC rack box is $1050

01-04-2026, 01:20 PM	#10
Tim Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 6,808	Double the cards in rack boxes to wax. If FASC, rack is better if not double the price