Tips on NFL Mini Helmet Collecting

When fans think of mini-football helmets, they tend to think of their favorite NFL or college teams. But you can also personalize mini-football helmets to your liking. Either way, collecting miniature helmets is a fun, fairly inexpensive way to show your support for your team and your love of the game.

  1. Try on Your Size

    • Mini-football helmets come in different sizes. Some are made of plastic and small enough to be made available in gumball machines for as little as $.50 to $.75 a pop. Others are larger and more authentic, featuring the same hard plastic the pros wear, as well as the foam and cushioning used in real helmets. Depending on retailer and quality, bigger mini-helmets tend to range from $18 to $30.

    Where to Go

    • There are a number of different venues to turn to when shopping for football mini-helmets. Websites such as sportscollectibles.com or nfl.com offer all 32 teams, with plenty of options for autographed helmets. And, sometimes, the best deals are found at your local sports cards shops or mall kiosks that sell mini-helmets at a discounted rate.

    Start Collecting

    • Many collectors of sports memorabilia set up a system that helps them reach their long-term goal. For instance, you could begin a collection of NFL helmets by starting with your favorite team, then the rest of the division, then conference, one by one until you have the entire league. The same goes for college teams and leagues. Some fans prefer high school teams, or teams in defunct leagues, such as the World Football League or United States Football League. Mini-helmets are also available for the semi-pro teams, such as those in indoor football.

    Get 'Em Signed

    • Increase the value of mini-football helmets by purchasing ones with autographs from players, or attending football games and trying to get a player autograph yourself. If you choose the former, football helmets with autographs already on them can cost anywhere from $200 to $400 apiece, which includes the all-important certificate of authenticity.

    Money Tips

    • Depending on what you want from your collection of mini-helmets, there are ways to make the hobby fairly cost-effective. Websites like eBay and Craigslist are popular places to find sports memorabilia at lower rates, although much of it is used and you can't be sure of a helmet's condition until it arrives. Other online stores, such as ScoreHere.com, offer discounts on the purchase of multiple helmets.