This distinctive embellishment designates a subset of trading cards issued by a particular company during the specified year. It signals a presumed elevated status or limited production run within the broader set. The shining element served as a security feature, intended to deter counterfeiting, while also enhancing the card’s visual appeal to collectors.
The inclusion of this shining element within a trading card series brought value. It marked specific cards as potentially more scarce or sought after than their non-holographic counterparts. This, in turn, fueled collecting habits, driving the secondary market and influencing pricing dynamics within the hobby. The year of release places these cards within a significant period of expansion and increasing consumer interest in the sports memorabilia market.