Foil[2]
Pinnacle foil surfaces scratch and show print lines; surface is the main grade limiter.
Defunct
Pinnacle
Pinnacle Brands was the 1990s owner of Score and a premium card maker known for Select, Zenith and Summit.
Pinnacle at a glance
Pinnacle Brands was the 1990s owner of Score and a premium card maker known for Select, Zenith and Summit.
Full history, sources and grading notes below. Last verified · Published · Confidence: Medium
Company history
Score and bankruptcy[1][2]
Pinnacle acquired Score and expanded its product range, but the 1990s market correction and heavy production led to bankruptcy in 1998. The brands were sold or retired, and Pinnacle’s output remains a snapshot of the premium/insert era.
Timeline
Dated milestones with a source for each event. Hover a marker for the short label; the list below carries the detail.
View timeline events
| Year | Event | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| 1990 | Company founded | Pinnacle Brands enters the card market. |
| 1993 | Score acquisition | Pinnacle acquires Score. |
| 1995 | Zenith | Pinnacle Zenith becomes a premium flagship. |
| 1998 | Bankruptcy | Pinnacle files for bankruptcy. |
Brand identity
Image archive
Local, provenance-recorded images. Captions and source credits are part of the record; a missing section is shown as an explicit gap rather than filled with a placeholder.
Card fronts & backs
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Notable sets
Grading notes
How this manufacturer's stock, cutting and production method affect the four grading pillars.
Centring[2]
Premium cutting was tighter than junk-wax but still varies. Check the border symmetry.
How to identify Pinnacle cards
1990-1998[1]
The Pinnacle wordmark and premium product name appear on the card; foil is common.
Select/Zenith[1]
Select and Zenith cards use distinctive foil and insert designs.
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Grade & identify
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Frequently asked questions
When did Pinnacle start making cards?
Pinnacle began issuing cards in 1990.
Who owns Pinnacle now?
Pinnacle is defunct; its brand assets have changed hands over time.
What is Pinnacle known for?
Pinnacle Brands was the 1990s owner of Score and a premium card maker known for Select, Zenith and Summit.
Sources & methodology
Every factual claim in the profile is tied to the numbered sources below. Translated sources are tagged with their original language. Media provenance is recorded per image; images are stored locally and credited to their source.
- Wikipedia: Pinnacle Brands (accessed 2026-11-07 · EN)
- Cardboard Connection: Pinnacle (accessed 2026-11-07 · EN)
Unverified or incomplete
- Text-first draft; media, design evolution and people/place sections are pending.
Cite this profile
PreGradeCards Research. “Pinnacle.” Card Manufacturers Directory. Last verified 2026-11-07. https://pregradecards.com/manufacturers/pinnacle
Found an error? Report a correction with the source you are relying on.
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