Top 10 Most Expensive Sports Trading Cards in History

Sports cards are one of the most rewarding investments you can make. Often purchased for just a dollar or two, baseball and hockey cards can soar in value to millions if the featured athlete has an exceptional career or is honored with a Hall of Fame induction. When players achieve iconic status in their sport, the worth of their trading cards can reach astronomical heights. This holds true even for current star athletes. For instance, Sidney Crosby’s rookie card, released by Upper Deck in 2005, initially sold for under $2 but now commands a price of $400. This represents a massive return for anyone fortunate enough to have the card stored away. With this in mind, here’s a look at 10 of the most valuable sports cards ever sold.

10. Wayne Gretzky Rookie Card - $94,162

Wayne Gretzky, famously known as The Great One, began his professional hockey career in 1979. His rookie card, produced by O-Pee-Chee, fetched $94,162 at a 2011 auction. Remarkably, the card wasn’t in pristine condition, with noticeable wear on two corners. Despite this, collectors are eager to pay top dollar for Gretzky’s card, as he is widely regarded as the best hockey player in history. In 2008, a similar rookie card in poorer condition sold for $50,000 on eBay.

http://www.thestar.com/sports/hockey/2011/05/01/gretzky_rookie_card_goes_for_94163.html Source: Thestar.com

9. Michael Jordan Rookie Card - $100,000

Transitioning from hockey to basketball, Michael Jordan’s rookie card, released by Fleer in 1986, was purchased by a private collector for $100,000 in 2012. This card was one of only three graded as mint condition by Beckett Grading Services, which had evaluated over 5,500 Michael Jordan rookie cards still in existence. Cards with flaws like poor centering, rough edges, or printing defects do not qualify for the highest grade from Beckett.

http://picshype.com/michael-jordan-basketball-card-to/michael-jordan-star-card/21748 Source: Picshype.com

8. George Mikan 1948 Basketball Card - $218,550

While Michael Jordan is often considered the pinnacle of basketball greatness, George Mikan’s 1948 basketball card holds the title of the most valuable in the sport. Mikan, known as “Mr. Basketball,” played across the NBL, BAA, and NBA, leaving an indelible mark on the game. Standing at 6’10” and weighing 245 pounds, he was one of basketball’s first dominant big men. His ambidextrous shooting ability added to his uniqueness. These exceptional qualities make his 1948 Bowman card the most prized basketball card ever.

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:George_Mikan_1948_Bowman.jpg Source: Commons.wikimedia.org

7. Bronko Nagurski 1935 Football Card - $240,000

Bronko Nagurski, a Chicago Bears legend from the 1930s, is the sole football player featured on this list. Renowned for his powerful play as a fullback, Nagurski was infamous for knocking down both opponents and referees. He led the Bears to NFL Championships in 1930 and 1937. His 1935 National Chicle card, though not his rookie card, is one of the few surviving football trading cards from that era, making it exceptionally rare and valuable. Adding to his legacy, Nagurski later became the NWA Wrestling Champion, cementing his status as a dual-sport icon.

http://www.justcollect.com/blog/1935-national-chicle-34-bronko-nagurski-hof-bears-sgc-30 Source: Justcollect.com

6. Ty Cobb 1911 Baseball Card - $272,980

Ty Cobb, a pioneering baseball star and legendary outfielder, spent 22 seasons in professional baseball, primarily with the Detroit Tigers before concluding his career with the Philadelphia Athletics. Renowned as one of the sport’s most electrifying players, Cobb’s talent was so exceptional that he served as both player and manager for the Tigers from 1921 to 1926. Although his career began in 1905, his first trading card wasn’t released until 1911 by the General Baking Company. This card’s rarity is underscored by its auction price of $272,980.

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Ty_Cobb_card.jpg Source: Commons.wikimedia.org

5. Lou Gehrig 1933 Baseball Card - $274,950

Lou Gehrig, whose name is synonymous with both baseball greatness and the disease that bears his name, is immortalized in his 1933 Goudey baseball card. This card is highly coveted by dedicated baseball enthusiasts. Gehrig, a New York Yankees legend who secured six World Series titles in the 1920s and 1930s, remains a tragic figure due to his untimely death from a degenerative illness. His card is among the fastest-appreciating in the market, with its value steadily rising. Many collectors predict it could eventually become the most valuable baseball card ever sold.

http://www.bidami.com/Auctions/AuctionCategory?t=Closed&q=gehrig&qf=title&rd=rdbTitle0&ch=chkClosed&auctionlist-page=2 Source: Bidami.com

4. Mickey Mantle 1952 Baseball Card - $282,000

Mickey Mantle, another baseball icon, began his professional career in 1951. While his rookie card was issued by Bowman that year, his 1952 Topps card holds greater significance as it was the first produced by the company. This card’s value is further enhanced by its rarity, as several crates of the 1952 Topps cards were lost in the Atlantic Ocean due to an accident. This scarcity has made the Mantle card a prized possession among collectors, with one selling for $282,000.

http://www.icollector.com/Mickey-Mantle_i10393279 Source: Icollector.com

3. Roberto Clemente Rookie Card - $432,690

Roberto Clemente, a powerhouse right fielder for the Pittsburgh Pirates from 1955 to 1972, was renowned for his home run prowess. He achieved 3,000 hits and guided the Pirates to a World Series victory in 1971, his final complete season. Tragically, Clemente’s life ended in a plane crash on December 31, 1972, while he was en route to deliver aid to earthquake victims in Nicaragua. His premature death at 38, coupled with his extraordinary career, has made his baseball cards highly prized. In May 2012, a 1955 Topps rookie card of Clemente sold for $432,690, a testament to his enduring legacy.

http://parade.com/50252/michaelosacky/in-search-of-sports-cards-getting-the-collecting-bug-from-dad/ Source: Parade.com

2. Babe Ruth 1914 Baseball Card - $517,000

Babe Ruth, arguably the greatest baseball legend of all time, is celebrated as the original Yankee slugger and the Sultan of Swat. Though he became famous for his home runs, Ruth began his career as a pitcher for the Baltimore Orioles, known more for his fastball than his hitting. These fascinating details are captured in his 1914 baseball card issued by The Baltimore News. This card, reflecting his early career and transition to a hitting phenomenon, is one of the most coveted in the world, with one selling for $517,000 to a private collector.

http://s980.photobucket.com/user/jeff152380/media/scan0225.jpg.html Source: S980.photobucket.com

1. Honus Wagner 1909-11 Baseball Card - $2.8 million

The Honus Wagner T206 tobacco card is revered as the ultimate treasure in sports card collecting, commanding a staggering $2.8 million at auction. Honus Wagner, a legendary baseball player and coach, is celebrated as one of the sport’s all-time greats. His playing career spanned from 1897 to 1917, and he later coached the Pittsburgh Pirates from 1933 until his retirement in 1951. The T206 card, produced by the American Tobacco Company, is exceptionally rare, with only 57 known to exist as of 2013. Its scarcity, combined with Wagner’s iconic status, ensures its place as the most expensive sports card ever sold, a record unlikely to be surpassed.

http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/i-team/mastro-admits-cutting-honus-card-article-1.1482098 Source: Nydailynews.com