Sports Trading Cards have always held a special place in the hearts of sports enthusiasts and collectors all over the world. Trading cards have been around for more than a century and have evolved from simple cards with basic player information to high-grade collectibles worth millions of dollars. In this article, we’ll take a look at some of the most expensive sports trading card sales of all time.
1. Honus Wagner T206 Card – Sold for $3.12 Million
The Honus Wagner T206 is arguably the most famous sports trading card in history. It was first printed in 1909 and features the Pittsburgh Pirates shortstop, Honus Wagner. It is believed that only 50-200 cards were printed, and very few of them remain in circulation. The card has been sold several times over the years and the most recent sale was in 2019 for a whopping $3.12 million.
2. Mickey Mantle 1952 Topps – Sold for $2.88 Million
The 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle card is one of the most popular sports trading cards of all time. It is highly sought after by collectors and is considered to be one of the most valuable baseball cards ever printed. The card features a young Mantle in his New York Yankees uniform and was sold in 2018 for $2.88 million.
3. LeBron James 2003-04 Upper Deck Exquisite Rookie Patch – Sold for $1.8 Million
LeBron James is one of the most popular basketball players in the world and his trading cards are highly sought after by collectors. The 2003-04 Upper Deck Exquisite Rookie Patch features a game-worn patch from one of his Cleveland Cavaliers jerseys and was sold in 2020 for $1.8 million.
4. Mike Trout 2009 Bowman Chrome Superfractor – Sold for $1.8 Million
Mike Trout is widely considered to be one of the best players in the history of baseball and his trading cards are highly sought after by collectors. The 2009 Bowman Chrome Superfractor features a young Trout in his Los Angeles Angels uniform and was sold in 2021 for $1.8 million.
5. Babe Ruth 1916 M101-5 Sporting News Rookie Card – Sold for $1.3 Million
Babe Ruth is one of the most iconic baseball players in history and his trading cards are some of the most valuable collectibles in the world. The 1916 M101-5 Sporting News Rookie Card features a young Babe Ruth in his Boston Red Sox uniform and was sold in 2016 for $1.3 million.
In conclusion, sports trading cards are not just a hobby but an investment as well. The most valuable cards are hard to come by and are often sold for millions of dollars, making them a lucrative investment. As the popularity of sports trading cards continues to grow, it’s likely that we will see even more high-value sales in the future.
