popular culture
Jason Koeppel // ONE37pm
Updated Sep 8, 2022
1:56pm
These past couple of years has been like nothing else for the most valuable trading cards in the hobby. What mainstream society used to think of as a fun little hobby for children has become big business, with record breaking sales publicized by top media outlets becoming almost a weekly occurrence.
People who grew up in the 80's and 90's–who collected as children–remember the last time that sports cards were this hot, but the game has changed. Back then, it was mainly Topps baseball cards that collectors were after. Nowadays, basketball is near top of almost everybody's list, with Panini currently owning that license. However, Fanatics is set to take that license over and recently acquired Topps along with their baseball license.
It isn't just basketball that has caught fire, with baseball remaining a major player as well as other sports such as football and even soccer making major moves.
Non-sports cards have also been attracting a lot of attention, with Pokemon and Magic the Gathering creating quite a buzz amongst collectors, and even rare cards of celebrities and major media franchises such as Star Wars, Batman and Marvel Comics cards also bringing in big money.
Gone are the days of the simple, mass produced base cards of the "junk wax era", as the new chase in the hobby includes trying to acquire rare cards with low serial numbers, autographs and patches of jerseys that players may have worn during a game.
Further, the most valuable cards come graded by an authentication service, giving a score based on the condition of the card from 1-10. The leading authentication service PSA was so inundated with submissions that they were forced froze the hobby's ability to submit cards for almost an entire year due to an incredible backlog of more than ten million cards that they simply could not catch up on. They have since worked their way through that backlog and have re-opened submissions.
This influx of money and increased interest has created fierce competition for the rarest and highest graded cards at places such as eBay, Goldin Auctions and Heritage Auctions, and the results can be seen below.
This list of the most valuable trading cards shows just how hot this market has been, as people continue to invest in alternative assets like these.
(*This list only includes the highest sale price of any particular card so that no card is on the list twice)
1. Mickey Mantle 1952 Topps SGC 9.5 ($12,600,000)
Heritage Auctions
Pictured above is the first trading card to sell for eight figures. Mickey Mantle’s 1952 Topps rookie card has cemented itself as a pivotal piece of Americana. While dozens of these ‘52 Mantles trade throughout the year, none have ever sold that were graded above a 9. That was until August 28th, when this SGC 9.5 copy sold at Heritage Auctions.
With any high-end collectible piece, there always seems to be an incredible story that accompanies it. This card is no exception. In 1986, Alan “Mr. Mint” Rosen received a call that put him in contact with Ted Lodge, a truck driver from Massachusetts. After a visit to Lodge’s home, Rosen found sealed boxes and untouched cards from the now legendary ‘52 set. He paid Lodge $125,000 in cash for a lot that contained over 5,500 cards and dozens of #311 Mantles.
One of those mint-condition Mantles was purchased in 1991 for a mere $50,000 by a man named Anthony Giordano. Recently, it was slabbed up by SGC and hit the auction block in late July. This is undoubtedly one of the best copies of the hobby’s most iconic card, and it will remain atop the leaderboard for quite some time.
2. Honus Wagner 1909 Sweet Caporal T-206 SGC 2 ($7,250,000)
Goldin Auctions
Before the massive Mantle 9.5, Goldin Auctions facilitated a private sale of one of the hobby’s most iconic cards. The T-206 Honus Wagner is a mythical piece of American folklore at this point. People who have never bought a trading card in their life can recognize this card and recognize its value.
Interestingly enough, higher grades of this card have closed for less than the recent $7.25 million sale. An SGC 3 copy reached a price of $6.6 million last year, but it would now likely bring around $10 million if it went up at an auction house today.
Tied 3. LeBron James 2003-04 Upper Deck Exquisite Gold /23 RPA BGS 9 ($5,200,000)
PWCC
Here we have the King’s best card. 2003-04 Exquisite is perhaps the most recognizable rookie patch autograph set of all time, and it’s packed with the best cards of future hall-of-famers. Players like LeBron, Dwyane Wade, Carmelo Anthony, and Chris Bosh all have their best cards coming from this product.
This particular BGS 9 copy is serial numbered to 23 and features a 3-color patch. It sold from the PWCC Vault in April of 2021, marking the highest price of any basketball card.
Tied 3. Mickey Mantle 1952 Topps PSA 9 ($5,200,000)
PWCC
Simply put, this is the hobby's most iconic card so we will allow it as the only card on the list mentioned twice.
This particular example was purchased by entrepreneur Rob Gough, who we had a chance to sit down and talk with shortly after the sale. The same card sold two years earlier for $2.8 million.
“Based on our research, this is the nicest looking 1952 Topps Mantle PSA 9 in existence,” Jesse Craig, director of business development at PWCC Marketplace, said via press release.
5. Luka Doncic 2018-19 Panini National Treasures Logoman 1/1 ($4,600,000)
@shyne150 instagram
NBA Logoman cards from the popular high end Panini National Treasures sets are the most sought after in the hobby. This $4.6 million dollar deal was a private sale, with collectors and business partners Nick Fiorella and Bolillo Lajan San the proud owners of this one-of-a-kind holy grail of Luka Doncic cards.
6. Patrick Mahomes 2017 Panini National Treasures 1/1 RPA BGS 8.5 ($4,300,000)
@ljscardshop / Instagram
Number 6 on our list is quite possibly the best ultra-modern football card in existence. This holy grail of Patrick Mahomes cards was purchased last year by LJ’s Card Shop, an Ohio-based hobby store.
The Kansas City gunslinger has been a top 3 quarterback in the league for nearly half a decade, and he has the accolades to prove it. If Mahomes keeps this career trajectory up, that $4.3 million sale price may not seem that high in a few years.
7. Babe Ruth 1933 Goudey PSA 9 ($4,200,000)
Memory Lane Auctions
The card pictured above is the highest-graded copy of Babe Ruth’s 1933 Goudey card. It sold last summer for $4.2 million at Memory Lane Auctions, becoming the most expensive card of the Great Bambino.
The 1933 Goudey set wasn’t printed with the standard 3” x 4” dimension we see today, so these cards have become very condition-sensitive. To see a copy like this one retain its sharp corners and beaming colors 90 years later is astonishing, and this is one of the better baseball cards in existence.
8. Mike Trout 2009 Bowman Chrome Superfractor Auto BGS 9/10 ($3,900,000)
Goldin Auctions
This sale, which took place on August 23, 2020, held the record for a short amount of time as the most money ever paid for a single sports card. The one-of-a-kind "Superfractor" was previously purchased in May of 2018 by controversial social media personality "Vegas Dave" Oancea for $400,000.
9. Tom Brady 2000 Playoff Contenders Championship Ticket /100 BGS 9/10 ($3,800,000)
CardLadder
The 2000 Playoff Contenders Tom Brady will probably go down as the most iconic football card of all time. This Championship Ticket parallel, which is limited to just 100 copies, has sold for as high as $3.8 million. Here’s what the GOAT had to say about the boom in his card market:
“It’s surreal, and it makes me want to go check all my cards that I have stored — there’s gotta be one in there somewhere!” Brady told Good Morning America co-host Michael Strahan in a recent interview.
“You know, when I was coming out I tried to make some money. My agent, Steve, was like, ‘I got a trading card deal for you. Sign a thousand cards and they’re gonna pay you like 20 cents a card.’ And I was like, ‘Twenty cents a card? I’m gonna be rich!’ Unbelievable … you see these cards that are worth that kind of money. I definitely should’ve kept some of them. But whatever — I think it all worked out pretty good."
10. Wayne Gretzky 1979 O-Pee-Chee PSA 10 ($3,750,000)
CardLadder
Some might be surprised to see a hockey card so high on this list, but nobody will be surprised who that player is. There are only two examples of this card receiving a PSA 10 grade, so it comes as no shock that it was highly sought after when one of them came up for auction. The same card sold in August of 2016 for just $465,000, and with the hockey market starting to heat up, it will be very interesting to see how much it sells for the next time it hits the auction block.
There is also a Topps version of "The Great One's" rookie card that is equally rare in a PSA 10 grade (population also 2) which recently sold for $700,000, but the O-Pee-Chee is THE Gretzky card that will command the most value.
11. Tom Brady 2000 Playoff Contenders Rookie Ticket Auto PSA 10/10 ($2,880,000)
PWCC
This Tom Brady card is very similar to #9 on the list, but it is just the regular Rookie Ticket parallel and not serial numbered. However, the PSA 10/AUTO 10 grade this stunner received made it a big chase for Brady collectors. Given Brady’s humble beginnings in the NFL, many of these cards were neglected and forgotten. But this copy remained in pristine condition and sold for over $2.8 million in a 2021 PWCC Premier auction.
12. LeBron James 2020-21 Panini Flawless Triple Logoman PSA Authentic ($2,400,000)
Goldin Auctions
Easily the most talked-about card of 2022, this beautiful triple logoman of LeBron was chased by avid collectors and celebrities alike. This card from 2020-21 Panini Flawless is the first to feature a game-worn logoman patch from every team the King has played for. It even had A-listers like Drake buying cases to get a hold of this card.
The 1/1 grail piece ended up selling for $2.4 million at Goldin Auctions, the most for any non-autographed patch card.
13. Michael Jordan 1997-98 UD Game Jersey Autograph /23 PSA 8/9 ($2,052,000)
Goldin Auctions
This card boasts an autograph as well as a large sample of the jersey that Michael Jordan wore in the iconic 1992 NBA All-Star Game. It’s the first patch autograph of the GOAT and also the most expensive MJ card of all time.
Only 23 of these cards were ever produced, with Jordan hand-numbering all of them. A true piece of basketball history, it last sold with Goldin Auctions in May 2021.
14. Kobe Bryant 1997 Metal Universe Precious Metal Gems (PMG) Emerald /10 BGS 8.5 ($2,000,000)
CardLadder
Since its inception, the Precious Metal Gems (PMG) insert has been a favorite of many modern basketball collectors. This 1997 Kobe Bryant Emerald is the pinnacle of that PMG fandom. A BGS 8.5 grade, the copy is numbered /10 and sold for $2,000,000 privately this year. That marks the highest sale for any Kobe Bryant card or any Precious Metal Gem, and it will be interesting to see how the PMG market grows in the future.
15. Giannis Antetokounmpo 2013-14 National Treasures Logoman Patch Auto 1/1 ($1,857,300)
Goldin Auctions
This Giannis Logoman held the record for the most expensive basketball card ever sold for a few short months before the Luka Doncic Logoman that I previously mentioned more than doubled it in a private sale.
The amazing thing about this card is that it was previously sold back in 2014 for just $7000, but the buyer actually returned it because of a small yellow stain on the back. The seller did a little bit better this time around.
16. Lebron James 2003-04 Exquisite Rookie Patch Auto BGS 9.5 ($1,800,000)
Goldin Auctions
Another card that held the record for the highest sale of a modern day sports card for just a short time, this Lebron James Exquisite Rookie Parallel is serial numbered to 23 and is King James' most rare and sought after rookie card.
The buyer was Leore Avidar, CEO of Alt who said, "the purchase is part of a strategy to bring something big to the collectibles and alternative assets business in the coming months."
17. Kobe Bryant 1996-97 Topps Chrome Refractors BGS PRISTINE/Black Label 10 ($1,752,000)
Goldin Auctions
This March 6th, 2021 sale at Goldin Auctions marks the most expensive Kobe Bryant card ever sold. The BGS Black Label 10 grade is the most difficult grade to achieve in the entire hobby, and sets itself apart as quite literally the "perfectly conditioned card".
In March of 2016, the exact same card sold on eBay for $58,100.
18. Michael Jordan/LeBron James/Kobe Bryant 2006 UD Exquisite All NBA Access Triple Logoman PSA Authentic ($1,680,000)
Goldin Auctions
The triple logoman is quickly becoming a theme on this list. However, this one features three patches of the best to ever lace them up, and they’re all game worn.
This is a one-of-a-kind piece for game-worn patch collectors, and it reached a final price of $1.6 million in a Goldin auction.
19. Babe Ruth 1916 M101-4 Sporting News PSA 6 ($1,500,000)
Goldin Auctions
#19 on our list of most valuable trading cards ois what many consider to be Babe Ruth’s rookie card. The 1916 M101-4 features a portrait of Ruth from his Red Sox days. 4 years later, Ruth was famously traded to the Yankees, marking the start of the Curse of the Bambino. In turn, items like this PSA 6 Sporting News rookie have become even more heralded in baseball culture, which is supported by its $1.5 million sale price.
20. Pele 1958 Alifabolaget PSA 9 ($1,330,000)
Rally
We finally have our first soccer card on the list, which is a sport that has grown tremendously within the hobby recently. And what better way to showcase the soccer card market than with a PSA 9 rookie of one of the greats? This 1958 Alifabolaget Pele is an extremely rare find, and it shows an 18-year-old Pele at the start of his glorious career. It sold this year for $1.3 million, marking the highest sale of any soccer card.
21. Lebron James 2004-05 Upper Deck Ultimate Signatures Logoman Patch Auto 1/1 PSA/DNA 10 ($1,291,500)
Goldin Auctions
This $1.291 million dollar sale on March 7th, 2021 marks the most money ever spent on a Lebron James card outside of his rookie year. This is the third example of an NBA Logoman cracking the top 10.
Goldin's description of this card reads, "... The superb card constitutes an eloquent, visual reminder of LeBron's NBA Rookie of the Year Award victory of the previous year, which was among the first of what has become a lengthy list of trophies and records."
22. LeBron James 2003 Topps Chrome Gold Refractor /50 PSA 10 ($1,200,000)
CardLadder
2003 Topps Chrome does not include a superfractor 1/1 in the checklist, so this gold refractor /50 is the lowest-numbered LeBron card in the set. And as we’ve seen gold parallels become more prominent in the hobby, this card has steadily increased in value as well. That increase culminated with an August 2022 sale of $1.2 million for this POP 9 stunner.
23. Giannis Antetokounmpo 2013-14 Panini Prizm Black Mosaic 1/1 BGS 9.5 ($1,140,000)
Goldin Auctios
“The Greek Freak” is undoubtedly one of the best basketball players in the world right now, so it’s no surprise that his best Prizm card sold for over $1.1 million in December 2020. Antetokounmpo would go on to win his first title with Bucks the following summer. Even still, Giannis is only 27, so it will be interesting to see where his career (and this card) goes from here.
24. Roberto Clemente 1955 Topps PSA 9 ($1,107,000)
Goldin Auctions
There are only 12 examples of this card graded as high as a PSA 9, with only one of them being a PSA 10. When you combine that sort of rarity with the fact that Clemente is one of the most beloved players in the history of baseball, it comes as no surprise that this card found itself in the "million dollar club" when it sold in early March of 2021.
T-24. Patrick Mahomes 2017 National Treasures Rookie Patch Autograph Holo Gold /10 BGS 9.5 ($1,080,000)
PWCC
This BGS 9.5 Patrick Mahomes National Treasures RPA is a recent addition to the Million Dollar Club, and it’s an impressive one at that. The patch contains a large portion of the old AFL logo, and the card itself is limited to only 10 copies. Besides his aforementioned NFL Shield RPA, you won’t find many better-looking cards of the Chiefs QB than this one.
T-24. Stephen Curry 2009-10 National Treasures Century Platinum RPA /5 PSA 9 AUTO 10 ($1,080,000)
Goldin Auctions
Stephen Curry is now a four-time champion and the greatest shooter in NBA history, so it makes sense to find him on a list like this. Curry’s market grew significantly during the Warriors’ 2021 championship campaign, which can be shown by the $1.08 million sale of his true National Treasures RPA.
26. Reggie Jackson 1969 Topps PSA 10 ($1,005,600)
Heritage Auctions
The PSA 10 population on this card is 1, meaning that this is the finest conditioned example of Reggie Jackson's rookie card on the planet. The last time it sold was back in 2012 when it closed for $115,000.
This card was once a part of the famed "Dmitri Young Collection", named after the former Major League Baseball All-Star who had assembled one of the greatest sports card collections in existence.
27. Michael Jordan 2006-07 Fleer Buyback Rookie Autograph BGS 8.5/9 ($1,008,000)
Christie’s
In 2006, Fleer had Michael Jordan sign 23 of his 1986 Fleer rookie cards, and they randomly inserted these buyback autographs into their products. Since Jordan didn’t have any pack-issued autographs until 1997, this card has become quite popular for collectors. It’s one of the few instances where MJ signed his true RC, and it’s a card that just does not pop up in auction houses very often.
T-28. Anthony Davis 2012-13 National Treasures Logoman 1/1 BGS 9 ($1,000,000)
Goldin Auctions
The final member (for now) of the "million dollar club" is Lakers star Anthony Davis, whose Logoman reached the seven-figure selling price in February of 2021.
Before you act surprised seeing his card sell for so much, consider the fact that the underrated star has an NCAA championship, Olympic Gold medal, NBA All-Star MVP and NBA Championship to his name.
T-28. Luka Doncic 2018-19 National Treausres RPA Emerald /5 BGS 9/10 ($1,000,000)
CardLadder
As Luka Doncic’s international stardom continues to rise, many high-end hobbyists continue to pick up his rarest cards. Take, for example, this 2018-19 National Treasures Emerald RPA, which sold for $1 million last year. Doncic is one of the brightest stars in the game, and he is only a few rings away from becoming a legend in both the hobby and NBA lore.
30. Jackie Robinson 1952 Topps PSA 9 ($960,000)
Goldin Auctions
This card is just one of the eleven PSA 9's in the population, with not one single PSA 10, meaning that there is no better conditioned example of the iconic Jackie Robinson's 1952 Topps card in the market.
The fact that I am writing this article on "Jackie Robinson Day" (April 15th), bears mentioning, as he broke MLB's 80+ year color barrier on this date in 1947. I can thin of no better athlete to collect.
T-31. Kobe Bryant 2002-03 Upper Deck NBA Logo Mania BGS 9/10 ($922,500)
Goldin Auctions
Tied at 31, we have the first Kobe Bryant logoman card ever produced. It features Bryant back when he donned the #8 jersey, and it also has a strong signature of one of the game’s greatest. This card was way ahead of its time, and it sold for $922,500 last year.
T-31. Mike Trout 2009 Bowman Chrome 1st Autograph Red Refractor /5 BGS 9.5/10 ($922,500)
Goldin Auctions
Trout has consistently been one of the best in the game for over a decade now, and he is a shoo-in for Cooperstown. So, when you see sales like this 2009 Bowman Chrome Red Refractor Auto for $922,500, you just have to tip your cap to one of the best outfielders to play the game.
33. Michael Jordan 1997 Metal Universe Precious Metal Gems Green PSA Authentic 9/100 ($915,000)
Heritage Auctions
To explain the extreme rarity of this card, the 1997-98 Metal Universe were the first of the Precious Metal Gems cards. Only one hundred were produced for each player in the set. Ninety of the one hundred cards boasted red foil, with the remaining ten sporting the green seen on this example. Only six of the green ones have been graded by PSA, and the only sale of one of them on record took place earlier in 2020, closing for $350,000.
34. Lewis Hamilton 2020 Topps Chrome F1 Superfractor 1/1 PSA 7 ($900,000)
Goldin Auctions
At #34, we finally have our first Formula 1 card on this list, and it’s a beauty. 2020 Topps Chrome F1 has been one of the most collected sets internationally in recent years, and few cards were more desired than this Lewis Hamilton 1/1 superfractor. A seven-time champion, Hamilton is considered by many to be the greatest driver in F1 history. It was incredible for the hobby to see some of his prices realized when this 1/1 sold for $900,000 in May.
T-35. Patrick Mahomes 2017 National Treasures Black RPA 1/5 BGS 9/10 ($840,000)
Goldin Auctions
There are none of these cards graded by PSA, and none graded higher by BGS, making this the best conditioned example, of the most collectible set, of the NFL's biggest and brightest young star, numbered to just 5. Wow.
Will the football card market ever catch up to the basketball card market in terms of value? If it even gets close, the upside on this card could be huge. If Mahomes continues to win MVP's and Super Bowls, the $840,000 paid for this card could one day look like a bargain.
T-35. Larry Bird/Magic Johnson 1980-81 Topps Scoring Leaders PSA 10 ($840,000)
PWCC
If you were to make a list of the most iconic basketball cards ever, this card would be on it. The 1980-81 Topps Scoring Leaders features three HOFers and is regarded as Larry Bird and Magic Johnson’s true rookie card. The set also utilized perforated edges to tear away the individual players, so finding a perfect PSA 10 is nearly impossible. But when it happens, it is big money, as noted by this $840,000 sale in 2021
37. George Mikan 1948 Bowman PSA 9 ($800,000)
Probstein Auctions
George Mikan was a pioneer for the game and one of the NBA’s first stars. While he may not be the hottest name in the hobby today, his 1948 Bowman RC remains one of the most heralded basketball cards of all time. The ‘48 set is also very condition-sensitive, which makes this $800,000 PSA 9 copy even more impressive.
38. Lou Gehrig 1925 Exhibits PSA 6 (MK) ($782,400)
Goldin Auctions
This oversized card is considered to be Lou Gehrig's rookie card, however, there are only three dozen of these TOTAL in the PSA population. These cards were only distributed through amusem*nt park vending machines in 1925, and could be had for a penny. It would take 78,240,000 pennies to buy one nowadays!
T-39. Luka Doncic 2018 Panini Gold Prizm 3/10 PSA 10 ($780,000)
Goldin Auctions
This gold Prizm is numbered to 10, with only 3 of them currently graded by PSA and this particular one receiving a PSA 10. Luka's Logoman (#2 on this list) selling for over $4 million dollars just goes to show how highly regarded he is in the hobby, but to see a modern non-auto card crack the top 20 on the list is definitely eye-opening.
T-39. Kevin Durant 2007-08 Upper Deck Exquisite Rookie Parallel #94 RPA 23/35 BGS 9/10 ($780,000)
Goldin Auctions
The Kevin Durant market got white hot as the Brooklyn Nets entered the season as one of the favorites to come out of the Eastern Conference before coming back down a bit in the last month or so.
After a year away due to injury, Durant has not disappointed in his return to the hardwood (although he has been battling injuries of late). How much of a run will his cards have if the Nets go on to win the NBA Championship? It remains to be seen. This particular card is serial numbered to /35 and graded a BGS 9, which is a very high grade for an RPA like this which are notorious for condition issues.
T-39. Michael Jordan 2003-04 UD Exquisite Limited Logos Patch Auto /75 PSA 9/10 ($780,000)
PWCC
While this card may be tied for 38th on the list, its eye appeal is unparalleled in comparison to the rest of the list. The Limited Logos autograph set from 2003 Exquisite features some of the greatest game-worn patches in hobby history, including this three-color jersey of His Airness. Couple that with a PSA 9/AUTO 10 grade, and you’ve got one incredible basketball card.
The Rest of the List:
T-44. Patrick Mahomes 2017 National Treasures Stars and Stripes RPA PSA 10 ($720,000)
Goldin
49. Hank Aaron 1954 Topps PSA 9 ($715,000)
PWCC
50. LeBron James 2006-07 UD Ultimate Collection Logoman Autograph 1/1 BGS 9 ($707,250)
Goldin
52. Patrick Mahomes 2017 Panini Prizm Gold Vinyl /5 PSA 10 ($676,500)
Goldin
53. Lou Gehrig 1933 Goudey PSA 9 ($672,000)
Memory Lane Auctions
66. 1995 Pokémon Japanese Topsun No Number Blue Back Charizard PSA 10 ($480,000)
@jeremypadawer
