2019-20 Upper Deck Artifacts Hockey

Upper Deck Artifacts returned in 2019-20 as a premium hockey release aimed at collectors who want premium cardstock and cleaner designs. This set arrived during the peak of Connor McDavid's young superstardom, and his base cards and parallels anchored collector demand throughout the year. Artemi Panarin, David Pastrnak, and Nathan MacKinnon also had strong rookie followings. What sets Artifacts apart is its thick, high-quality cardboard and refined aesthetic that feels substantial compared to standard releases. The photography is sharp and the base design strips away noise in favor of elegant simplicity. You're getting a product that prioritizes card quality over gimmicks, which appeals to people who want cards that look good in hand and grade well. The real chase here centers on parallel tiers and numbered variations. Look for Ruby, Sapphire, and Emerald parallels that sit at different print levels. Hits come in the form of Artifacts Autographs, including rookie autographs from the year's top prospects and established stars. There are also Dual and Triple Artifact Autographs for those chasing premium hits. Hobby boxes contain 5 packs with roughly 3 hits per box, making it a solid bet for breaking. Retail products carry lower odds and fewer autographs, so if you're ripping for hits, hobby is the way to go. The short prints and low-numbered parallels hold their value better than the base set itself. Artifacts suits collectors who appreciate cardstock quality and don't mind spending premium prices for a cleaner product. It's less flashy than some contemporary releases but has aged well because the design doesn't feel dated. Unless you're specifically hunting McDavid or Panarin autographs, buying singles makes more sense than ripping boxes blind. The set is worth owning for the overall quality and presentation, even if you're not chasing anything in particular.