The full-size box sold through card shops rather than big-box stores. It has the most packs and the best odds, and most modern hobby boxes guarantee at least one autograph or memorabilia card. Pack and card counts vary by product line. Older listings sometimes call this a wax box.
Cases
The factory-sealed carton a product ships in, holding a set number of boxes. A full case is the whole carton; an inner case is a smaller sealed block from inside it. Case buyers get untouched pack sequencing and a lower price per box. Some rare cards are seeded about once per case, which is what collectors mean by a case hit.
These are the best prices we could find for this product across the 6 retailers we follow for
2017-18 Upper Deck SP Authentic, checked daily. Prices move constantly and stock sells
out; always confirm on the retailer’s own page before buying.
The deep end. People buy this chasing top rookie patch autos and legend signatures, and the price reflects it.
Q2What's the main pull in 2017-18 SP Authentic?
Future Watch Autographs are guaranteed in every hobby box. These are signed rookie cards numbered to 999, and they're the cornerstone of the product. You'll also get a second autograph per box on average from inserts like Sign of the Times or other signature sets.
Q3Which rookies should I be hunting?
The big names are Brock Boeser, Nolan Patrick, Nico Hischier, and Alex DeBrincat. All have autographed Future Watch cards in the set. Boeser especially became a hot pull after his strong rookie season with Vancouver.
Q4What are Spectrum FX cards?
Spectrum FX is Upper Deck's Bounty program for set builders. You get 1-2 per box, and they come in tiered versions. Veterans are most common at 1:18 packs, while Future Watch cards are rarer at 1:36 to 1:360 packs depending on the level. Complete the 99-card set and get verified by Upper Deck, and you win an exclusive Gold parallel set.
Q5What's the base set like?
The 100-card base features top NHL stars like Connor McDavid, Auston Matthews, Sidney Crosby, and Alexander Ovechkin. Red parallels are fairly common at 1:6 packs. There are also select Limited Autograph parallels on base cards at 1:216 packs.
Q6How do the numbered parallels work?
Future Watch rookies are numbered to 999. Limited Patch Auto variations on Future Watch cards are numbered to 100. Some autograph inserts like Immortal Ink are numbered to 10, while Marks of Distinction tops out at 25. The lower the number, the scarcer the card.
Q7What are Authentic Moments?
These celebrate major career achievements and award wins. You get cards for Ovechkin's 1,000 career points, Crosby's 1,000 points, McDavid's Hart/Lindsay/Art Ross sweep, and Matthews' Rookie of the Year. They pull at 1:5 packs and some have signed parallels.
Q8Is there anything special about the Connor McDavid cards?
McDavid appears on base card #1, an Authentic Moments card for his award sweep, and there are 97 newly signed 2015-16 Young Guns autograph buybacks randomly inserted in packs. Those buybacks are highly sought because they're fresh signatures on one of his most iconic rookie cards.
Q9How does this compare to other 2017-18 hockey releases?
SP Authentic is more autograph-heavy and premium than Upper Deck Series 1 or Series 2, but it's not as rare or expensive as products like The Cup or Exquisite. It's a solid middle ground for collectors who want guaranteed hits and broad rookie appeal without breaking the bank.
Q10What are the best inserts in 2017-18 Upper Deck SP Authentic?
Worth keeping an eye out for: Future Watch Autographs (1 per box guaranteed), Sign of the Times, Spectrum FX (1-2 per box), Authentic Moments (1:5 packs), 1990-91 Retro Draft Picks (1:45 packs), Connor McDavid Young Guns Autograph Buybacks.
Q11When did 2017-18 Upper Deck SP Authentic come out?
It dropped May 9, 2018.
Q12What's in a 2017-18 Upper Deck SP Authentic hobby box?
18 packs per box, 5 cards per pack
Q13Where can I buy 2017-18 Upper Deck SP Authentic?
We track listings across the major North American card shops and surface the best price up top. The Buy on eBay links go through the eBay Partner Network.
What to Expect
2017-18 Upper Deck SP Authentic Hockey
2017-18 SP Authentic is an autograph-heavy hockey release built around Future Watch rookie autographs, with at least one signed rookie in every hobby box. The set features a 100-card veteran base, iconic Sign of the Times multi-signature inserts, and chase parallels including the Upper Deck Bounty Spectrum FX program.
Autographs
1Autograph per box on average
On average per hobby box
1Future Watch Autograph (rookie signed card)
1Additional autograph (Sign of the Times, Great White North Signatures, Global Chirography, or other auto insert)
2Spectrum FX cards (Upper Deck Bounty program, veterans or Future Watch tiers)
42017-18 Upper Deck Update cards
3Limited Red parallel base cards
7Authentic Moments and Rookie Year Milestones cards combined
Inserts to watch
Future Watch Autographs1 per box guaranteedSigned rookie cards numbered to 999, the marquee pull in every hobby box.
Sign of the TimesMulti-signature autograph inserts with up to eight players on a single card, a historic SP Authentic staple.
Spectrum FX1-2 per boxPart of the Upper Deck Bounty set-building program, with tiered veterans and Future Watch levels.
Authentic Moments1 in 5 packs; 3 to 4 per boxHighlight cards celebrating career milestones and award winners like Connor McDavid and Auston Matthews.
1990-91 Retro Draft Picks1 in 45 packs; about 1 in 2 boxesThrowback design with autograph and Black Border Auto (/10) parallels available.
Connor McDavid Young Guns Autograph BuybacksNewly signed versions of McDavid's 2015-16 Young Guns rookie, randomly inserted in packs.
