Buzz
While this isn’t financial advice, it’s undeniable that collectibles can yield impressive returns. Items like coins, comics, toys, movie memorabilia, and sports cards are breaking sales records, often fetching prices with multiple zeros. For instance, a rare LeBron James 2003 rookie card featuring a jersey swatch sold for $5.2 million in 2021, matching the value of a 1952 Mickey Mantle card. (Interestingly, James earned only $4 million in salary during his rookie year.)
Although classic sports cards often maintain million-dollar valuations, modern cards can also command high prices. However, the value of a card can vary significantly based on its condition, autograph authenticity, and grading by a third-party service. While the prices listed here reflect auction results, they can fluctuate due to market trends. So, owning a card like one of these doesn’t guarantee a lavish vacation—but it’s certainly worth investigating further.
Anthony Davis 2012-2013 National Treasures Autograph // $1,045,000
Davis, who now plays for the Los Angeles Lakers, had his rookie card from his time with the New Orleans Hornets (now Pelicans) sell for $1,045,000 in 2021. Upon hearing the price, Davis humorously remarked that he "might have to get into that [collecting] space."
LeBron James 2003 Topps Chrome Gold Refractor // $900,000
Known for his basketball skills and starring in 2021’s Space Jam: A New Legacy, LeBron James has a 2003 rookie card for the Cleveland Cavaliers that fetched $900,000 at auction in 2023, graded 10 by Professional Sports Authenticator (PSA). (It’s estimated that there are at least 62 different James rookie cards, excluding variants, in circulation.)
Tom Brady 2000 Playoff Contenders Championship Rookie Ticket // $855,000
Brady’s legendary career with the New England Patriots has made his rookie card a prized possession for collectors. An autographed card graded 8.5 by Beckett sold for $2,253,000 in 2021, setting a record for football cards at the time—until Brady surpassed it later that year with a $3.1 million sale. However, interest in Brady cards has slightly waned, as another card graded 9 sold for $855,000 in 2023.
Luka Dončić 2018 Panini Prizm Gold // $780,000
This rare Prizm Gold edition of Dallas Mavericks star Luka Dončić features only 10 cards, making it a collector’s dream. One card, graded a flawless 10 by PSA, sold for $780,000.
Giannis Antetokounmpo 2013-2014 Panini Prizm Gold // $510,000
With two NBA MVP titles to his name, Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo is also a standout in the collectibles market. A card graded 9.5 earned $510,000 in 2021, while another sold for $180,000 in 2023.
Stephen Curry 2009-2010 Topps Gold Chrome Refractor // $480,000
Golden State Warriors’ star Stephen Curry’s rookie card from Topps, graded a perfect 10, earned $480,000. A lower-grade version (8) netted $170,000 in 2023, while the more common Chrome edition recently sold for $8121 on eBay.
Mike Trout 2009 Bowman Chrome Gold Refractor // $212,000
Mike Trout’s 2009 Bowman Chrome Gold Refractor card, dubbed “the holiest of grails” by Sports Collectors Daily, highlights his draftee status with the Los Angeles Angels. An autographed PSA 10 card fetched $212,000 on eBay in 2021, with only 50 Gold Refractor versions ever produced.
Fernando Tatis Jr. 2019 Topps Chrome Update Superfractor // $170,400
Rookie cards don’t always need years to gain value. San Diego Padres shortstop Fernando Tatis Jr.’s signed Superfractor, a one-of-a-kind card, garnered $170,400.
Zion Williamson 2019-2020 Panini National Treasures // $169,200
Cards featuring authentic jersey swatches are among the rarest and most valuable in sports memorabilia. This autographed rookie card of Zion Williamson, graded 9 by Beckett, nabbed $169,200 at auction, with only 99 copies ever produced.
LaMelo Ball 2020-2021 Panini National Treasures Rookie Logoman // $116,400
LaMelo Ball, the 2020-2021 NBA Rookie of the Year with the Charlotte Hornets, has a rare card featuring an NBA logo swatch, limited to just five copies. A graded 9 card with serial number "01" netted $116,400 at auction, while a graded 8 version sold for a more affordable $18,000 in 2022.
Patrick Mahomes II 2017 Panini National Treasures Green // $110,000
This rare autographed rookie card of Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes II, featuring a jersey swatch and graded PSA 9, sold for $110,000 in 2022. The same card, graded 9, sold for $59,100 in July 2020, showcasing its investment potential—only 15 were made. The Platinum version, a one-of-a-kind card, sold for $4.3 million.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. 2019 Topps Chrome Sapphire Red Refractor // $45,000
Toronto Blue Jays’ Vladimir Guerrero Jr.’s 2019 Topps rookie card has become a hot commodity. A PSA 10 Sapphire Red Refractor version fetched $26,000 in 2021, while another perfect 10 scored $45,000 in 2022.
Lamar Jackson 2018 Panini National Treasures // $12,000
Baltimore Ravens’ star quarterback Lamar Jackson’s rookie card by Panini is a rare gem, with only 99 copies produced. It features a jersey swatch, his autograph, a PSA 9 grade, and a price tag of $12,000.
Connor McDavid 2015 Upper Deck SP Authentic // $11,900
This autographed rookie card of Edmonton Oilers’ hockey star Connor McDavid, graded a perfect 10 by PSA, sold for $11,900. Despite its high value, it had a print run of 999, making it more accessible than other premium cards.
Aaron Judge 2013 Bowman Chrome Orange Refractor // $7,800
New York Yankees’ Aaron Judge saw his cards soar in value in 2022. An autographed rookie card, limited to 25 copies, sold for $7,800, while a one-of-a-kind Chrome Superfractor card fetched $324,000.
A version of this article ran in 2021; it has been updated for 2024.
