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The Honus Wagner T-206 is once again setting records in the trading card world.
Baseball's most coveted collectible sold for a record $7.25 million recently at a Goldin Auctions sale, breaking the former record of $6.6 million.
"It's just so rare," Ken Goldin told Chris Bumbaca of USA Today. "It's a flag-bearer for the industry, especially for cards. Anybody that gets into the hobby and has money, it's a status symbol. 'Do you have a Wagner?' There's so few of them."
Originally created by the American Tobacco Company from 1909 to 1911, the Wagner T-206 is so rare because the Pittsburgh Pirates shortstop halted production of the card. Folklore behind the dispute between ATC says Wagner wanted the card taken out of circulation because he did not want children buying cigarettes.
This disagreement led to a massive scarcity of cards, many of which were lost to the ether over the years given they were not originally considered collector's items. It's unknown how many are known to exist, though the number is believed to be less than 100.
Goldin said there are less than 50 Wagner cards that have been graded and authenticated.
"There's never been a sale of the exact same card that was less than the previous sale," Goldin said.
The Honus Wagner T-206 card is an iconic piece in the world of collectibles, specifically in the realm of baseball trading cards. Its recent sale for a staggering $7.25 million at a Goldin Auctions event is a testament to its incredible rarity and value in the hobby.
This card's history dates back to the early 1900s, between 1909 to 1911, when it was created by the American Tobacco Company. The uniqueness and scarcity of the Wagner T-206 stem from the Pittsburgh Pirates shortstop Honus Wagner himself. It's believed that Wagner intervened in the card's production, leading to its limited availability. The folklore surrounding this revolves around Wagner's objection to having his image associated with cigarette sales, reportedly prompting the halt in circulation.
The scarcity of the Wagner T-206 card was exacerbated by the fact that during its initial release, these cards weren't considered valuable collector's items. Consequently, many of them were lost or destroyed over the years, contributing to the rarity we witness today. It's estimated that fewer than 100 of these cards are known to exist, with even fewer having undergone proper grading and authentication—Ken Goldin mentioned that there are less than 50 authenticated Wagner cards.
Goldin's statement about the Wagner card's consistent increase in value holds true and reflects the consistent demand and appreciation for this particular piece. The scarcity, combined with its historical significance, makes it a highly sought-after status symbol within the trading card collecting community.
As for the concepts touched upon in the article, they cover several key points relevant to the Honus Wagner T-206 card:
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Honus Wagner T-206 Card: This is the centerpiece of the article, a rare baseball trading card created between 1909 and 1911 by the American Tobacco Company and featuring Honus Wagner, a famed Pittsburgh Pirates shortstop.
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Scarcity and Rarity: The card's scarcity is due to Wagner's intervention, leading to a limited production run. Many were lost over the years since they were not initially valued as collectibles.
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Historical Significance: Wagner's objection to having his image associated with cigarette sales contributes to the lore and historical importance of the card.
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Value and Auction Records: The recent sale for $7.25 million at Goldin Auctions broke previous records, reflecting the card's increasing value and consistent demand among collectors.
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Authentication and Grading: Mentioned in the article, fewer than 50 Wagner cards have been authenticated and graded, underscoring the rarity and authenticity challenges associated with this collectible.
Understanding these concepts sheds light on why the Honus Wagner T-206 card stands as an iconic and immensely valuable piece in the world of collectibles, especially within the trading card hobby.
