2012 Topps: "Rookie Patches" Insert Set
2002 Upper Deck Sweet Spot: "Rookie Gallery Jerseys" Insert Set
1997 Proline: "Emerald Autographs" Insert Set
2012 Topps: "Rookie Patches" Insert Set
Jay's Football Cards
Leaf: Certified
My Leaf: Certified Collection (Updated December 20th, 2024)
Although I can't give a full detailed description of the "Leaf: Certified" title, I still think it's an awesome release with high-quality cards. What I can do is give you, the reader, a rundown of the set specifics. First of all, the initial release by Leaf was a 225-card set. A lot better than the 90-card initial release by the "Leaf" flagship title back in '96. Another highlight from this first release, Leaf included 2 massive memorabilia sets. By massive, I mean, 70+ cards in each insert set. They had the "Fabric of the Game" insert set and the "Gridiron Gear" insert set, (See the 1999 Leaf Certified: "Neil Smith" Gridiron Gear #NS90 card left). That is one heck of a way to introduce yourself to the hobby.
The 2000 release was just as impressive. This time a 250-card release with 7 insert sets. Included again this year, was the
In 2001, Leaf added the "Materials" moniker to the title. So for one season, 2001, the "Leaf: Certified" title became, "Leaf: Certified Materials". (Note, after Leaf dropped the "Materials" name in 2002, they
1999 Leaf Certified: “Neil Smith” Gridiron Gear #NS90
2000 Leaf Certified: “Antonio Freeman” Gridiron Gear #AF86H
2001 Leaf Certified Materials: “Marvin Minnis” Freshman Fabric #121 RC
misnomer "Fabric of the Game" insert set, which has nothing to do with actual fabric. Leaf did return the fan-favorite "Gridiron Gear" memorabilia insert set for another go-around, (See the 2000 Leaf Certified: "Antonio Freeman"Gridiron Gear #AF86H right). In addition to these two mainstays, Leaf introduced the high-end "Heritage Collection" memorabilia set. Talk about your NOT-run-of-the-mill jersey cards, these offered memorabilia from some of the NFL's elite. And if that wasn't enough, Leaf added a "Century" parallel set for good measure. Talk about spoiling the hobby.
brought it back in 2003). I guess it worked, because that is where I started. I really liked the look of these cards. So much so, that I skipped the1999 and 2000 sets and started putting this baby together, (See the 2001 Leaf certified Materials “Marvin Minnis” Freshman Fabric #121 RC left). What I really liked about this set was that the 2 different parallels were really that, they were different. The base set Freshman Fabric was #'d to 400. The first parallel set, Mirror Red, was #'d to 150, (See the 2001 Leaf certified Materials “Marvin Minnis” Freshman Fabric Mirror Red #121 RC below left). And the 2nd parallel set, Mirror Gold, was #'d to 25, (See the 2001 Leaf certified Materials “Marvin Minnis” Freshman Fabric Mirror Gold #121 RC below). Now that is how you plan, design, and release a 3-tiered parallel set.
2001 Leaf Certified Materials: “Marvin Minnis” Freshman Fabric #121 Mirror Red RC
In summary, the Donruss / Leaf company was creating and releasing an excellent product under the "Leaf: Certified" title. The cards had a high-quality look to them and each and every year Leaf gave the collector something new, yet kept enough of their past successes from year to year. I always felt I was getting a solid product when I bought a Leaf card or set.
2001 Leaf Certified Materials: “Marvin Minnis” Freshman Fabric #121 Mirror Gold RC
I have complete sets:
Leaf Certified & Certified Materials Series:
1) 1999 Leaf Certified Set
A) Gold Future Insert
B) Gridiron Gear Insert - Incomplete ( 39 / 72 )
2) 2000 Leaf Certified Set - Incomplete ( 10 / 260 ) *
A) Gridiron Gear Insert - Incomplete ( 37 / 76 )
3A) 2001 Leaf Certified Materials Set
3B) 2001 Leaf Certified Materials Set (Mirror Red) - Incomplete ( 35 / 145 )
3B) 2001 Leaf Certified Materials Set (Mirror Gold) - Incomplete ( 24 / 145 )
4) 2002 Leaf Certified Set
5) 2003 Leaf Certified Materials Set
6) 2004 Leaf Certified Materials Set - Do Not Have
7) 2005 Leaf Certified Materials Set - Do Not Have
8) 2006 Leaf Certified Materials Set - Do Not Have
9) 2007 Leaf Certified Materials Set - Do Not Have
A) Fabric of the Game College Combos Insert - Incomplete ( 2 / 5 )
B) Fabric of the Game Combos Insert - Incomplete ( 1 / 25 )
10) 2008 Leaf Certified Materials Set - Incomplete ( 34 / 255 )
*Note: The only cards I have in this set are 10 error cards. So, the set is actually 250 cards, I added 10 to make it 260 due to the 10 error cards that I have.
