The Most Expensive Sports Cards in the World
Many things in this world hold tremendous value, and one such example is rare or expensive sports cards. Whether a coveted Mickey Mantle rookie card or an autographed Mike Trout, these items can fetch a high price tag for collectors. In fact, some of the most expensive sports cards in the world are worth more than most people earn in their entire lives!
Here is a look at five of the most pricey examples.
5. Mike Trout Bowman Chrome Draft Prospects Superfractor Autograph
Los Angeles Angels star Mike Trout is one of this generation’s most decorated baseball players. A three-time American League Most Valuable Player award winner and a nine-time All-Star, Trout is a once-in-a-generation talent. So, it’s no surprise that his Bowman Chrome Draft Prospects Superfractor Autograph is one of the most valuable sports cards in the world.
This card was released in 2009 and is an extremely limited edition autograph card that was signed by none other than the future Hall of Famer himself. Only one of these cards exists, and in August 2020, the one-of-a-kind card sold for $3.936 million. The card changed hands at Goldin Auctions in Texas. The identity of the buyer was not revealed. With Trout still in his prime, it’s only a matter of time before this card becomes even more valuable.
4. Luka Doncic Panini National Treasures 1 of 1 Logoman Autograph
Luka Doncic is one of the NBA’s preeminent superstars. And so it’s no surprise that his Panini National Treasures 1 of 1 Logoman Autograph is one of the most valuable sports cards in the world. This card was released in 2018 and is an extremely limited edition autograph card that was signed by none other than the Slovenian sensation himself.
Only one of these cards exists, and in February 2021, the one-of-a-kind card sold for $4.6 million. Doncic is again in the thick of the race for the league’s Most Valuable Player award, and the prices of his memorabilia will only continue to skyrocket.
3. LeBron James Upper Deck Exquisite Collection Rookie Patch Autographs #78
This basketball card was released in 2003 and features an image of the basketball player LeBron James who played for the Cleveland Cavaliers. Only 23 of these cards were produced, and each is worth a lot of money. In April 2021, a private buyer purchased one for a remarkable $5.2 million, making it the most expensive basketball card of all time. A similar card was bought for nearly $2 million in May 2020.
2. 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle Baseball Card
This baseball card is another one of the world’s most famous and valuable sports cards. The 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle Baseball Card was released in 1952 and features an image of the baseball player Mickey Mantle who played for the New York Yankees.
The card is valuable because it is one of the first cards to feature an image of Mantle and is also signed by the player. Only six of these PSA-graded nine cards are thought to exist today, and each is worth a lot of money. Entrepreneur Rob Gough paid $5.2 million for one of these cards in January 2021.
1. T206 Honus Wagner Baseball Card
This baseball card is one of the world’s most famous and valuable sports cards. The T206 Honus Wagner was originally released in 1909 and features an image of the baseball player Honus Wagner who played for the Pittsburgh Pirates. Also known as the “Flying Dutchman,” Wagner was one of the best players of his era.
Only 50-200 of these cards are thought to exist today, and each is worth a lot of money. These are so limited and valuable because Wagner originally did not want his image to be used on the card because he was not paid for it. As a result, the production of this card was stopped.
In 2000, the card was sold to a collector named Brian Seigel for a cool $1.27 million. Seven years later, Seigel sold the card to a private buyer for an incredible $2.35 million. Six months after that transaction, the card again switched hands for a whopping $2.8 million. So, what is the current market value for the T206 Honus Wagner Baseball Card? It’s estimated to be around $6.6 million, which was paid for one in August 2021.
