The 15 Most Valuable Trading Cards Ever Sold

For sports fans and collectors alike, trading cards represent more than memorabilia; they're a tangible connection to history, a nostalgic reminder of legendary moments and players.

While many of us may have started collecting cards as kids, for some, this passion has turned into a serious investment.

In recent years, the value of trading cards has skyrocketed, with some cards fetching astronomical prices at auctions.

If you're curious about which cards have made headlines for their jaw-dropping price tags, you're in the right place. Let's dive into the 15 most valuable trading cards ever sold and discover why these pieces of cardboard are worth millions.

But before we get into the most expensive trading cards ever sold, let's explore what makes a card so valuable in the first place.

If you're keen to delve deeper into the world of high-priced collectibles, be sure to check out the Ask Genie blog for more.

What Makes a Trading Card Valuable?

Several factors contribute to the value of a trading card, including:

Rarity: The scarcer the card, the more valuable it becomes. Limited print runs, production errors, or one-of-a-kind cards often fetch the highest prices.
Player popularity: Cards featuring legendary players or rising stars tend to be more sought after.
Condition: Mint condition cards are worth significantly more than those with wear and tear.
Historical significance: Vintage cards from the early days of a sport or a player's rookie season are highly prized.
Authentication: Cards graded and authenticated by reputable companies like PSA or BGS typically command higher prices.

The market for trading sports cards is also heavily influenced by trends, with specific sports or players gaining popularity due to recent achievements or anniversaries.

Now that we understand what makes these cards so valuable, let's dive into the 15 most expensive trading cards ever sold.

The Most Expensive Trading Cards Ever Sold

All prices in this list are in US dollars.

1. Mickey Mantle 1952 Topps SGC 9.5 - $12,600,000

Topping our list is the Mickey Mantle 1952 Topps card, graded SGC 9.5, which sold for an astounding $12.6 million in 2022.

This card is considered the holy grail of baseball cards, and for good reason. Mickey Mantle was one of the greatest players in MLB history, and this particular card is from his rookie season with the New York Yankees.

What makes this card so special? For starters, it's incredibly rare. Many 1952 Topps cards were famously dumped into the ocean when they didn't sell, making surviving copies extremely scarce. Add to that the near-perfect condition of this particular card, and you have a recipe for a record-breaking sale.

For Canadian sports fans, this sale is equivalent to finding a pristine Wayne Gretzky rookie card from his early days with the Edmonton Oilers. It's a piece of sports history that transcends borders and captures the imagination of collectors worldwide.

2. Honus Wagner 1909 Sweet Caporal T-206 SGC 2 - $7,250,000

Coming in at number two is the legendary Honus Wagner T-206 card, which sold for $7.25 million in 2022. This card has long been considered one of the world's most rare, and its story is as fascinating as its price tag.

Former Major League Baseball shortstop Honus Wagner was a star for the Pittsburgh Pirates in the early 1900s. The American Tobacco Company produced the T-206 series, but Wagner didn't want to be associated with tobacco products and demanded that his card be pulled from production.

As a result, only about 50 to 200 cards were ever released, making them incredibly rare.

3. Mickey Mantle 1952 Topps PSA 9 - $5,200,000

Mickey Mantle makes another appearance on our list with a different copy of his 1952 Topps card. This one, graded PSA 9, attracted a sale price of $5.2 million in 2021. The fact that two versions of the same card occupy the top three spots speaks volumes about Mantle's enduring legacy and the card's iconic status.

For hockey fans, this would be like owning two versions of a rare Gordie Howe rookie card – each valuable in its own right, but together representing the pinnacle of the sport's memorabilia.

4. LeBron James 2003-04 Upper Deck Exquisite Collection RPA - $5,200,000

Breaking the baseball monopoly at the top of our list is this LeBron James rookie card, which ties with the Mantle PSA 9 at $5.2 million. This card, from James' rookie season, is one of the most iconic basketball cards of all time. It features an autograph and a piece of his game-worn jersey.

What makes this card unique is not just LeBron's status as one of the greatest basketball players of all time but its rarity. Only 23 of these cards were produced, matching James' jersey number.

5. Babe Ruth 1933 Goudey #53 PSA 9 - $4,212,000

The Sultan of Swat appears on our list with this 1933 Goudey card, which sold for over $4.2 million. Babe Ruth is arguably the most iconic figure in baseball history, and this card captures him at the height of his powers with the New York Yankees.

The 1933 Goudey set is renowned for its colourful, Art Deco-style designs. This particular card is one of four Ruth cards in the set. Its PSA 9 grade makes it one of the highest-quality examples in existence.

6. Luka Doncic 2018-19 Panini National Treasures 1/1 Logoman RPA - $4,600,000

This Luka Doncic rookie card, which sold for $4.6 million, represents the new generation of basketball stars. It is truly one-of-a-kind, featuring Doncic's autograph, a piece of his game-worn jersey, and the coveted NBA logo patch.

Doncic's meteoric rise in the NBA has made him one of the most exciting young players to watch, and this card reflects the high expectations placed on his career. For some, the Slovenian point guard is only a few rings away from being a bonafide NBA legend.

7. Patrick Mahomes 2017 Panini National Treasures 1/1 RPA BGS 8.5 - $4,300,000

Football makes its first appearance on our list with this Patrick Mahomes rookie card, which fetched $4.3 million. Mahomes has quickly become one of the NFL's most electrifying quarterbacks, and this one-of-one card captures the beginning of his professional journey.

The card features Mahomes' autograph and a piece of his game-worn jersey, making it a true collector's item.

8. Honus Wagner 1909-11 T206 PSA 3 - $3,751,500

Honus Wagner appears on our list again with one of these highly coveted pre-war cards, this time graded PSA 3, which sold for over $3.75 million. Wagner T206 cards' recurring appearance in the top echelons of card collecting underscores the enduring appeal of this early baseball legend.

9. Wayne Gretzky 1979 O-Pee-Chee #18 PSA 10 - $3,750,000

Finally, a hockey card makes our list! This Wayne Gretzky rookie card, produced by Canadian company O-Pee-Chee, sold for $3.75 million. This card represents the ultimate collectible for many Canadian sports fans – capturing the Great One at the start of his unparalleled NHL career.

What makes this card particularly valuable is its perfect PSA 10 grade. O-Pee-Chee cards from this era were often poorly cut and prone to damage, making high-grade examples extremely rare. This card is not just a piece of hockey history but part of Canadian cultural heritage.

Read The 10 Most Expensive Tim Hortons Hockey Cards ever sold to see if the Great One makes the list.

10. Mike Trout 2009 Bowman Chrome Draft Prospects Superfractor Autograph - $3,936,000

Baseball returns to our list with this Mike Trout rookie card, which sold for nearly $4 million. Trout has established himself as one of the best players of his generation, and this one-of-one Superfractor card is considered his most valuable rookie card.

The card features Trout's autograph and the coveted Superfractor finish, which gives it a unique, shimmering appearance.

11. Tom Brady 2000 Playoff Contenders Championship Rookie Ticket Autograph - $3,107,372

At number 11 is a man widely regarded as the greatest quarterback in NFL history, Tom Brady, whose rookie card sold for over $3.1 million. The card features Brady's autograph from his first season with the New England Patriots.

12. Giannis Antetokounmpo 2013-14 Panini Flawless 1/1 Logoman RPA - $1,812,000

Giannis Antetokounmpo, known as the "Greek Freak," has quickly become one of the NBA's most dominant players. This one-of-one rookie card, featuring his autograph and an NBA logo patch, sold for over $1.8 million.

13. Mickey Mantle 1951 Bowman #253 PSA 9 - $1,440,000

Mickey Mantle appears on our list for the third time with this 1951 Bowman card, which sold for $1.44 million. This card is actually from Mantle's true rookie season, predating the famous 1952 Topps card.

The fact that Mantle cards occupy three spots in our top 15 list speaks to his enduring legacy in baseball and sports collecting.

14. Babe Ruth 1916 M101-5 Sporting News (blank back) PSA 7 - $717,000

We return to the Bambino with this 1916 Sporting News card, which sold for $717,000. This card is one of the most valuable alternative rookie cards ever produced. What makes this card particularly special is it features a young Babe Ruth during his time with the Boston Red Sox before his legendary career with the New York Yankees.

The M101-5 set is one of the most important pre-war baseball card sets, and Babe Ruth's rookie card is one of its crown jewels.

15. Stephen Curry 2009-10 Panini National Treasures "Century Platinum" RPA #3/5 BGS 9.5/10 - $960,000

This Stephen Curry rookie basketball card, which sold for $960,000, rounds out our list. Curry has revolutionised the game of basketball with his incredible shooting ability, and this card captures him at the start of his NBA journey.

The card features Curry's autograph and a piece of his game-worn jersey, with only five examples produced.

What does the Future Hold for Trading Card Collecting?

As we've seen from this list, the world of high-end trading cards is not just about nostalgia – it's a serious investment market. But what does the future hold for this hobby?

Experts predict that rare, high-grade cards of legendary players will continue to increase in value. However, we're also seeing a trend towards modern cards, particularly those featuring young stars with promising careers ahead of them.

For Canadian collectors, this means keeping an eye on not just hockey cards but also basketball, baseball, and even soccer cards. With the rise of Canadian talent in various sports, like soccer's Alphonso Davies and basketball's Jamal Murray, there may be opportunities to invest in the next generation of sports legends.

The world of high-end trading cards is a fascinating blend of sports history, nostalgia, and high-stakes investing. From Mickey Mantle to Wayne Gretzky, these cards represent more than just valuable collectibles – they're tangible connections to the most significant moments and players in sports history.

Remember that the true value of any card lies not just in its price tag but in the joy it brings and the memories it evokes. But, who knows, the next time you open a pack of hockey cards, you might just be holding the next record-breaking collectible in your hands.

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What are the most expensive non-sports trading cards ever sold?

There's also a significant market for non-sports trading cards that have fetched impressive prices. Here are some of the most expensive non-sports trading cards ever sold:

Magic: The Gathering

Black Lotus (Alpha Edition) - $540,000: This iconic card from the first Magic: The Gathering set sold for $540,000 in January 2021. The Black Lotus is renowned for its power in the game and extreme rarity, making it highly sought after by collectors.
Ancestral Recall (Alpha Edition) - $250,000: Another powerful card from Magic's Alpha set, the Ancestral Recall, has sold for up to $250,000.

We’ve also created a guide to the most expensive Magic: The Gathering cards ever sold.

Pokémon

Pikachu Illustrator - $5.275 million: This extremely rare promotional card was given to winners of illustration contests in Japan. In July 2021, one sold for $5.275 million, making it one of the most valuable trading cards ever.
First Edition Shadowless Holographic Charizard - $420,000: A pristine copy of this fan-favourite Pokémon card sold for $420,000 in March 2022.

Yu-Gi-Oh!

Tournament Black Luster Soldier - $2 million: This one-of-a-kind card was awarded at the first Yu-Gi-Oh! Championship in Asia. It sold for $2 million in 2021.

Other Collectible Card Games

Shichifukujin Dragon (Magic: The Gathering) - $300,000: This unique promotional card was created for the grand opening of the DCI Tournament Center in Tokyo. Only one copy exists, valued at around $300,000.
Alpha Black Lotus Signed by Christopher Rush - $511,100: A Black Lotus card signed by its artist, Christopher Rush, sold for $511,100 in January 2021.

What's the rarest sports card ever?

The rarest sports trading card is widely considered to be the Honus Wagner 1909-11 T206 card. This card is famous not only for its rarity but also for its storied history.

There are only believed to be about 50-200 copies in circulation because Wagner objected to the card's production. The Hall of Fame shortstop did not want to be associated with tobacco products, leading to the card’s withdrawal from sale and limited availability.

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