Most Valuable Baseball Cards of All Time
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These baseball cards are worth a lot of money.Baseball cards started with humble beginnings. Some of the earliest ones were cigarette package inserts, used both to promote the brand and prevent the star of the package, the cigarettes, from being crushed. Now, baseball cards are a billion-dollar industry.
So search your house. Even today, people still find old, rare and expensive baseball cards. Maybe you'll discover one of them and become a millionaire.
These are the most valuable baseball cards of all time.
50. 1951 Bowman Willie Mays
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Price: $93,412.50
Year sold: 2007
Note: We used PSA (Professional Sports Authenticator), the world's most trusted third-party sports card grading and authentication company, as the key source for this story. They grade on a 1-10 scale. A "1" denotes a card in "Poor" condition, while "10" is considered "Gem Mint." As you'll see on this list of most valuable baseball cards, a card's condition means everything for its value. The prices we included are from the year the card was sold.
Bottom Line: 1951 Bowman Willie Mays
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Baseball cards are some of the most valuable collector's items in history. Yet compared to some of the other million-dollar cardboard masterpieces on this list, $90K sounds like a pittance. But consider that a sale of a PSA 9 1951 Bowman Willie Mays rookie card occurred in May 2007.
What would it sell for today?
PSA estimates the same Mays would run about a half-million today. A PSA 9 Mickey Mantle rookie card from the same set sold for $750,000 in April 2018 (more on it later), so this is a card well on its way to a cool million.
Career Highlights: Willie Mays
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Career highlights: World Series champion (1954), two-time National League MVP (1954, 1965), NL Rookie of the Year (1951), 12-time Gold Glove Award winner (1957-68), 24-time MLB All-Star (1954-73), Roberto Clemente Award (1971), MLB All-Century Team
49. 1969 Topps Reggie Jackson
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Price: $115,242
Year sold: 2012
Bottom Line: 1969 Topps Reggie Jackson
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This is a card that even another major leaguer was thrilled to own. Two-time All-Star Dmitri Young once boasted what was widely considered to be the finest collection of PSA 10 baseball rookie cards in the hobby. But in a firmament that included perfect Clemente, Aaron and Rose rookie cards, among other Hall of Famers, Young prized his PSA 10 Topps Reggie Jackson rookie card above all.
"When I think of all the great cards in my collection, the one that stands out the most for me is my Reggie Jackson 1969 Topps graded PSA 10," Young told PSA in 2010. "Getting that card was a huge rush for me."
Jackson slugged 563 home runs over the course of his Hall of Fame career, winning over Young and countless millions of kids with his charisma and booming bat.
Young broke up his collection in May 2012, and Mr. October's rookie card, the only PSA-graded Gem Mint 10 in the world, came through in the clutch for $115,242. It’d go for a lot more today.
Career Highlights: Reggie Jackson
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Career highlights: Five-time World Series champion (1972-74, 1977, 1978), American League MVP (1973), 14-time MLB All-Star (1969, 1971-75, 1977-84), two-time World Series MVP (1973, 1977), two-time Silver Slugger Award (1980, 1982)
48. 1909 T204 Ramly Walter Johnson
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Price: $132,000
Year sold: 2018
Bottom Line: 1909 T204 Ramly Walter Johnson
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Inaugural Baseball Hall of Fame inductee Walter Johnson actually has a rookie card in the famed 1909 T206 set, but the T204 Ramly is considered rarer.
"The Big Train" won 417 games and is considered by some to be the most dominating hurler in baseball history. Fellow player Ty Cobb said Johnson's fastball "looked about the size of a watermelon seed and it hissed at you as it passed."
A PSA 8 T204 Ramly Johnson punched out $132,000 in a January 2018 auction.
Career Highlights: Walter Johnson
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Career highlights: World Series champion (1924) Two-time AL MVP (1913, 1924), three-time Triple Crown (1913, 1918, 1924), six-time AL wins leader (1913-16, 1918, 1924), five-time AL ERA leader (1912, 1913, 1918, 1919, 1924), 12-time AL strikeout leader (1910, 1912-1919, 1921, 1923, 1924), MLB All-Century Team
47. 1954 Topps Ernie Banks
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Price: $142,836
Year sold: 2012
Bottom Line: 1954 Topps Ernie Banks
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Ernie Banks was the star attraction of consistently underwhelming Chicago Cubs squads through the 1950s and '60s. Despite smacking 512 home runs over an illustrious 19-year career in Chicago, Banks still holds the major league record for most games played (2,528) without a playoff appearance.
Regardless, the love for "Mr. Cub" hasn't waned. A PSA 10 1954 Topps Banks rookie card sold for $142,836 in May 2012. It would fetch much more than that today.
Career Highlights: Ernie Banks
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Career highlights: Two-time National League Most Valuable Player (1958, 1959), 14-time MLB All-Star (1955-60, 1961, 1962, 1965, 1967, 1969), MLB All-Century Team
46. 1914 Cracker Jack Ty Cobb
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Price: $144,000
Year sold: 2018
Bottom Line: 1914 Cracker Jack Ty Cobb
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Cracker Jack has been around pretty much as long as America's Pastime.
The molasses-flavored, caramel-coated snack was immortalized in baseball lore by 1902's "Take Me Out to the Ballgame." Even today, fans are still singing "Buy me some peanuts and Cracker Jack!" at every game.
Cobb drove pitchers nuts over three decades. Ninety years after his retirement, his career .366 batting average is still tops for all Major League Baseball players, past and present.
A PSA 8 1914 Cracker Jack Cobb turned up $144,000 in a February 2018 auction.
Career Highlights: Ty Cobb
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Career highlights: American League MVP (1911), Triple Crown (1909), 12-time American League batting champion (1907-15, 1917-19), MLB All-Century Team
45. 2009 Bowman Chrome Draft Prospects Orange Refractor Autograph Mike Trout
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Price: $186,580
Year sold: 2019
Bottom Line: 2009 Bowman Chrome Draft Prospects Orange Refractor Autograph Mike Trout
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While the biggest bucks usually have been forked over for vintage cards, Mike Trout is a special case. The 27-year-old has comparable numbers to Mays, Mantle, Williams, DiMaggio, Aaron, you name it, up to this point in their respective careers. It's no stretch to say that the Los Angeles Angels superstar is already an all-time great.
In March 2017, a Beckett Grading Services (BGS) 9.5 2009 Bowman Chrome Draft Prospects Orange Refractor Mike Trout rookie card, autographed and limited to 25 serial-numbered copies, netted $186,580 in March 2019. A BGS 9.5 is the equivalent of a PSA 10.
Career Highlights: Mike Trout
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Career highlights: Three-time American League MVP (2014, 2016, 2019), eight-time MLB All-Star (2012-19), AL Rookie of the Year (2012), eight-time Silver Slugger Award (2012-16, 2018-20), Wilson Defensive Player of the Year (2012)
41. 1909 T206 John McGraw (Tie)
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Price: $192,000
Year sold: 2018
Bottom Line: 1909 T206 John McGraw
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Almost a quarter-million T206 cards have been evaluated by PSA, but just 13 have earned a Gem Mint 10 grade.
John McGraw attained rarified company himself. The second-winningest manager in major league history with 2,763 wins, "Little Napoleon" was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1937.
A PSA 10 1909 T206 McGraw commanded $192,000 in September 2018.
Career Highlights: John McGraw
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Career highlights: Three-time World Series champion (1905, 1921, 1922), National Baseball Hall of Fame (1937)
41. 1948 Leaf Warren Spahn #32 PSA Gem Mint 10 192 (Tie)
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Price: $192,000
Year sold: 2018
Bottom Line: 1948 Leaf Warren Spahn #32 PSA Gem Mint 10 192
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The 1948 Boston Braves pitching rotation was headlined by Warren Spahn and Johnny Sain. After them? A newspaper editor coined the phrase, "Spahn and Sain and pray for rain."
Spahn would pour it on over a long and illustrious career, winning 363 games. He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1973.
A PSA 10 1948 Leaf Spahn rookie card sold for $192,000 in April 2018.
Career Highlights: Warren Spahn
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Career highlights: World Series champion (1957) Cy Young Award (1957), 17-time All-Star (1947, 1949-54, 1956-59, 1961-63), eight-time NL wins leader (1949, 1950, 1953, 1957-61), three-time NL ERA leader (1947, 1953, 1961), four-time NL strikeouts leader (1949-52)
41. 1903 Breisch-Williams E107 Christy Mathewson (Tie)
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Price: $192,000
Year sold: 2019
Bottom Line: 1903 Breisch-Williams E107 Christy Mathewson
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Pitcher Christy Mathewson had a legendary reputation. It was so great he was one of the Baseball Hall of Fame's first five inductees, along with Babe Ruth, Ty Cobb, Honus Wagner and Walter Johnson.
The 373-game winner's plaque at the Hall reads: "Matty was master of them all."
As rare a rookie card as there is, only five copies of the Mathewson rookie have been graded by PSA or SGC. Also part of the first major baseball card set of the 20th century, a SGC 50 1903 Breisch-Williams E107 Mathewson was won for $192,000 in a February 2019 auction.
Career Highlights: Christy Mathewson
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Career highlights: Two-time World Series champion (1905, 1921) Two-time Triple Crown (1905, 1908), four-time NL wins leader (1905, 1907, 1908, 1910), five-time NL ERA leader (1905, 1908, 1909, 1911, 1913), five-time NL strikeout leader (1903-05, 1907, 1908), MLB All-Century Team
41. 1948 Bowman Yogi Berra (Tie)
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Price: $192,000
Year sold: 2017
Bottom Line: 1948 Bowman Yogi Berra
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Perhaps better known today for his quirky Yogisms — for example, "baseball is 90 percent mental, the other half is physical" — Yogi Berra was also a 15-time All-Star and 10-time world champion. The popular New York Yankees catcher was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1972.
A PSA 10 1948 Bowman Berra rookie card went for $192,000 in May 2017.
Career Highlights: Yogi Berra
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Career highlights: 13-time World Series champion (1947, 1949-53, 1956, 1958, 1961, 1962, 1969, 1977, 1978), 18-time All-Star (1948-62), three-time American League MVP (1951, 1954, 1955), MLB All-Century Team, National Baseball Hall of Fame (1972)
40. 1933 Goudey Babe Ruth
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Price: $203,150
Year sold: 2016
Bottom Line: 1933 Goudey Babe Ruth
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Babe Ruth in 1932.In their infancy, baseball cards were packaged with tobacco and candy. In 1933, Goudey introduced a concept that Topps would popularize, issuing baseball cards with gum. While Goudey failed to make baseball cards stick in the American consciousness like Topps, they produced several memorable pre-World War II cards.
The Bambino has four cards in the 1933 set. The rarest, featuring Ruth against a yellow background and graded a PSA 8, sold for $203,150 in November 2016.
While far from Ruth's scarcest card, the 1933 Goudey Ruth is considered perhaps his most aesthetically pleasing that was issued during his playing career.
Career Highlights: Babe Ruth
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Career highlights: Seven-time World Series champion (1915, 1916, 1918, 1923, 1927, 1928, 1932), American League MVP (1923), two-time MLB All-Star (1933, 1934), MLB All-Century Team
37. 1914 Boston Garter Ty Cobb (Tie)
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Price: $204,000
Year sold: 2018
Bottom Line: 1914 Boston Garter Ty Cobb
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There's only one Ty Cobb graded by either PSA or SGC from this almost impossible-to-find window display series.
A SGC 50 1914 Boston Garter Cobb — SGC 50 is the equivalent of PSA 4 — garnered $204,000 in August 2018.
Career Highlights: Ty Cobb
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MLB career: 24 seasons (1905-28)
Teams: Detroit Tigers (1905-26), Philadelphia Athletics (1927-28)
37. 1954 Bowman Mickey Mantle (Tie)
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Price: $204,000
Year sold: 2017
Bottom Line: 1954 Bowman Mickey Mantle
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Mickey Mantle in 1954.High-grade vintage Mantles always will be in vogue (as you'll see).
Case in point, a PSA 9 1954 Bowman Mantle — a fourth-year Mantle — captured $204,000 in May 2017.
Career Highlights: Mickey Mantle
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Career highlights: Seven-time World Series champion (1951-53, 1956, 1958, 1961, 1962), three-time American League MVP (1956, 1957, 1962), 20-time All-Star (1952-65, 1967, 1968), Triple Crown (1956), Gold Glove Award (1962), MLB All-Century Team
37. 1914 Boston Garter Joe Jackson (Tie)
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Price: $204,000
Year sold: 2007
Bottom Line: 1914 Boston Garter Joe Jackson
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Like Pete Rose (more on him later), "Shoeless" Joe Jackson is the symbol of the disgraced American sports hero, just as famous for a career-ending gambling scandal, the 1919 Black Sox World Series, as he was for his prodigious hitting exploits.
Originally meant for clothing store window display, there are only about a half-dozen 1914 Boston Garter Jackson cards in existence today. A SGC (Sportscard Guaranty) 70 1914 Boston Garter Jackson — the equivalent of a PSA 5.5 — sold for $204,000 in August 2007.
Career Highlights: Joe Jackson
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Career highlights: World Series champion (1917)
36. 1955 Topps Sandy Koufax
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Price: $215,100
Year sold: 2016
Bottom Line: 1955 Topps Sandy Koufax
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Despite a career shortened by injuries, Koufax was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1972. At age 36, he was the youngest player ever elected. That's how dominant the left-handed pitcher was at his peak.
A PSA 9 1955 Topps Koufax rookie card sold for $215,100 in August 2016. As of August 2018, there have been three 1955 Topps Koufax cards graded a PSA 10. How much would they go for today?
Career Highlights: Sandy Koufax
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Career highlights: Four-time World Series champion (1955, 1959, 1963, 1965), seven-time MLB All-Star (1961-62, 1963-66), National League MVP (1963), three-time Cy Young Award winnr (1963, 1965, 1966), two-time World Series MVP (1963, 1965), three-time Triple Crown winner (1963, 1965, 1966)
35. 1941 Play Ball Joe DiMaggio
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Price: $216,000
Year sold: 2019
Bottom Line: 1941 Play Ball Joe DiMaggio
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"Joltin' Joe" couldn't stop hitting in 1941, setting a still-standing 56-straight game hit streak.
Just as big a hit in April 2019 as he was in the summer of '41, a PSA 9 1941 Play Ball Joe DiMaggio fetched $216,000.
Career Highlights: Joe DiMaggio
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Career highlights: Nine-time World Series champion (1936-39, 1941, 1947, 1949-51), 12-time MLB All-Star (1936-42, 1946-51), three-time American League MVP (1939, 1941, 1947)
34. 1910 Standard Caramel Honus Wagner
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Price: $218,550
Year sold: 2008
Bottom Line: 1910 Standard Caramel Honus Wagner
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This is no consolation prize to the T206 Wagner, which has a higher spot on this list. A PSA 9 1910 Standard Caramel Wagner sold for $218,550 in September 2008.
Considered every bit the hitter that Cobb was, Wagner was also a part of the Baseball Hall of Fame's inaugural Class of 1936.
Career Highlights: Honus Wagner
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Career highlights: World Series champion (1909), MLB All-Century Team, MLB All-Time Team
33. 1933 Goudey Napoleon Lajoie
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Price: $228,000
Year sold: 2016
Bottom Line: 1933 Goudey Napoleon Lajoie
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The 1933 Goudey Lajoie is a true rarity. There are thought to about 100 in existence.
The Hall of Fame second baseman was not originally included in the 1933 Goudey set. Collectors complained, however, and a Lajoie card was made available via mail-in redemption.
A PSA 9 1933 Goudey Lajoie sold for $228,000 in November 2016.
Career Highlights: Napoleon Lajoie
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Career highlights: Triple Crown (1901), five-time American League batting champion (1901-04, 1910), American League home run leader (1901), three-time American League RBI leader (1898, 1901, 1904)
32. 1949 Bowman Duke Snider
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Price: $232,750
Year sold: 2016
Bottom Line: 1949 Bowman Duke Snider
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Sorry, Sardi's. Between Willie, Mickey and the Duke, there was no place more star-studded in New York in the 1950s than center field.
While Duke Snider never achieved the notoriety of Mickey Mantle or Willie Mays, the 1980 Baseball Hall of Fame inductee was a special player in his own right, blasting more than 40 home runs in five straight seasons from 1953 to 1957.
A PSA 10 1949 Bowman Snider rookie card powered its way to $232,750 in October 2016.
Career Highlights: Duke Snider
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Brooklyn Dodgers outfielder Edwin (Duke) Snider. Photo of May 6, 1951. (AP Photo/John LIndsay )Career highlights: Two-time World Series champion (1955, 1959), eight-time MLB All-Star (1950-56, 1963), National League home run leader (1956), National League RBI leader (1955)
31. 1939 Play Ball Ted Williams
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Price: $239,000
Year sold: 2016
Bottom Line: 1939 Play Ball Ted Williams
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This is the Red Sox slugger's true rookie card. Considering it was produced in the '30s, the card is relatively plentiful, but high-grade examples are the exception.
A PSA 9 1939 Play Ball Williams sold for $239,000 in November 2016. As of August 2018, it's one of 12 graded PSA 9. There's also one that has been graded a PSA 10.
Career Highlights: Ted Williams
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Career highlights: Two-time American League MVP (1946, 1949), two-time Triple Crown winner (1942, 1947), 19-time MLB ALl-STar (1940-42, 1946-51, 1953-60), MLB All-Century Team
30. 1952 Topps Andy Pafko
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Price: $250,000
Year sold: 2007
Bottom Line: 1952 Topps Andy Pafko
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A PSA 10 1952 Topps Andy Pafko netted $250,000 in 2007. Who?
Pafko was no slouch with the bat, but this card's fame has nothing to do with the four-time All-Star's on-the-field performance. Instead, it's the card's place in post-World War II's most important baseball card set.
The 1952 Topps Pafko was No. 1 in the set. Because of this, it was exposed on the top left of the print sheet. Also, kids back then wrapped rubber bands around their stacks of cards, and naturally, the No. 1 card was on top, bearing the brunt of the rubber band's squeeze.
Consequently, there are few surviving copies of the Pafko that are centered and high-grade. The PSA 10 Gem Mint Pafko is the only known one so far.
Career Highlights: Andy Pafko
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Career highlights: World Series champion (1957), five-time MLB All-Star (1945, 1947-50)
29. 1909 T206 Christy Mathewson
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Price: $264,000
Year sold: 2018
Bottom Line: 1909 T206 Christy Mathewson
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Even more valuable than Mathewson's rookie card was this 1909 portrait.
A PSA 9 1909 T206 Mathewson lured $264,000 in September 2018.
Career Highlights: Christy Mathewson
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\Career highlights: Two-time World Series champion (1905, 1921), two-time World Series champion (1905, 1921) Two-time Triple Crown (1905, 1908), four-time NL wins leader (1905, 1907, 1908, 1910), five-time NL ERA leader (1905, 1908, 1909, 1911, 1913), five-time NL strikeout leader (1903-05, 1907, 1908), MLB All-Century Team
28. 1910 E98 Ty Cobb
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Price: $270,600
Year sold: 2019
Bottom Line: 1910 E98 Ty Cobb
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A century-old card in gem mint condition is always going to sell, especially when it's a Ty Cobb.
A PSA 10 E98 Cobb raked in $270,600 in May 2019.
Career Highlights: Ty Cobb
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Career highlights: Six-time American League stolen bases leader ((1907, 1909, 1911, 1915–1917)
27. 1911 General Baking Ty Cobb
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Price: $272,980
Year sold: 2008
Bottom Line: 1911 General Baking Ty Cobb
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Cigarettes, candy, gum ... and bread?
A PSA 8 1911 General Baking Ty Cobb, packaged with loaves of bread, sold for $272,980 in September 2008. It's the highest PSA-graded 1911 General Baking Ty Cobb — as of August 2018, the closest is a PSA 6.
Safe to say, this card would make a lot of bread if it was auctioned off today.
Career Highlights: Ty Cobb
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Career highlights: American League home run leader (1909), four-time American League RBI leader (1907-09, 1911)
26. 1933 Goudey Lou Gehrig
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Price: $274,950
Year sold: 2007
Bottom Line: 1933 Goudey Lou Gehrig
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Gehrig's hobby popularity has proven to be as durable as he was on the field. The Iron Horse retired in 1939 with the baseball record for most consecutive games played at 2,130, since broken by Cal Ripken Jr.
In September 2007, a PSA 10 1933 Goudey Gehrig, the only one to receive the coveted Gem Mint grade, was valued at $33,000 before it hit the auction block. It sold for $274,950.
Over a decade later, this is still the only 1933 Goudey Gehrig that has been graded PSA 10.
Career Highlights: Lou Gehrig
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Career highlights: Six-time World series champion (1927, 1928, 1932, 1936-38), seven-time MLB All-Star (1933-39), two-time American League MVP (1927, 1936), Triple Crown winner (1934), MLB All-Century Team, MLB All-Time Team
25. 1938 Goudey Joe DiMaggio
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Price: $288,000
Year sold: 2017
Bottom Line: 1938 Goudey Joe DiMaggio
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Joe DiMaggio's 1938 Goudey rookie card will set any collector back a pretty penny, even more so than the 1941 Play Ball card.
A PSA 9 1938 Goudey Joe DiMaggio sold for $288,000 in February 2017.
Career Highlights: Joe DiMaggio
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Career highlights: Two-time American League batting champion (1939, 1940), two-time American League home run leader (1937, 1948), two-time American League RBI leader (1941, 1948), MLB record 56-game hitting streak
24. 1948 Leaf Stan Musial
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Price: $312,000
Year sold: 2018
Bottom Line: 1948 Leaf Stan Musial
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There's a reason why Stan Musial was called "The Man."
The St. Louis Cardinals are one of baseball's most storied franchises, and the 1969 first-ballot Baseball Hall of Fame inductee holds most of the franchise's all-time records, from games played, runs, hits, home runs, RBIs, you name it.
So, it's not surprising a PSA 9 1948 Leaf Musial rookie card drew $312,000 in February 2018. This is the highest-graded PSA copy, one of just three in existence.
Career Highlights: Stan Musial
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Career highlights: Three-time World Series champion (1942, 1944, 1946), 24-time MLB All-Star (1943, 1944, 1946-63), three-time National League MVP (1943, 1946, 1948), MLB All-Century Team
23. 1948 Leaf Jackie Robinson
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Price: $336,000
Year sold: 2018
Bottom Line: 1948 Leaf Jackie Robinson
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This might be the most important baseball card ever.
In 1947, Jackie Robinson broke the sport's color barrier when he debuted for the Brooklyn Dodgers. Robinson integrated black and white ballplayers 17 years before the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
A PSA 9 copy of the 1962 Baseball Hall of Fame inductee's rookie card, one of just eight to be graded so high by the grading card authority, snatched up $336,000 in November 2018.
Career Highlights: Jackie Robinson
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Career highlights: World Series champion (1955), National League MVP (1949), six-time MLB All-Star (1949-54), MLB Rookie of the Year (1947), MLB All-Century Team
22. 1954 Topps Hank Aaron
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Price: $358,500
Year sold: 2016
Bottom Line: 1954 Topps Hank Aaron
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Still considered by many to be the all-time home run king, the 1954 Topps Aaron isn't particularly rare. But high-quality copies are still in high demand.
A PSA 9 1954 Topps Aaron sold for $358,500 in August 2016, just surpassing a PSA 10 verion that sold for $357,594 in May 2012. Considering that PSA has graded just two examples of Hammerin' Hank's rookie card as Gem Mint, what would the PSA 10 go for today?
Career Highlights: Hank Aaron
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Career highlights: World Series champion (1957), National League MVP (1957), 25-time MLB All-Star (1955-75), three-time Gold Glove Award winner (1958-60), MLB All-Century Team
21. 1948 Bowman Stan Musial
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Price: $360,000
Year sold: 2017
Bottom Line: 1948 Bowman Stan Musial
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There are two key Stan Musial rookie cards, the aforementioned Leaf issue and this Bowman.
Musial's greatness was one reason why this 1948 Bowman Musial rookie card sold for $360,000 in May 2017. The other reason was its perfect condition — this PSA 10 Musial is the only one of its kind, so far.
Career Highlights: Stan Musial
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Career highlights: Seven-time National League batting champion (1943, 1946, 1948, 1950-52, 1957), two-time National League RBI leader (1948, 1956)
20. 1956 Topps Mickey Mantle
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Price: $382,400
Year sold: 2016
Bottom Line: 1956 Topps Mickey Mantle
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Mantle became a full-fledged superstar in 1956, clubbing 52 home runs on his way to winning his first MVP award.
A PSA 10 1956 Topps Mantle took in $382,400 in August 2016.
Career Highlights: Mickey Mantle
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Career highlights: 536 HR, 2,415 H, .557 SLG
19. 1909 T206 Ty Cobb (Ty Cobb Back)
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Price: $408,000
Year sold: 2018
Bottom Line: 1909 T206 Ty Cobb (Ty Cobb Back)
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There were four Ty Cobb cards in the landmark T206 set, but only one variation is rarer than even the T206 Honus Wagner.
It's a red portrait of Cobb with a card back that advertises Cobb's own tobacco brand, "Ty Cobb, King of the Smoking Tobacco World." As of August 2018, there have been just 19 "Cobb-Cobb" variations graded by PSA, as opposed to 34 Wagners.
A PSA 3.5 T206 "Cobb-Cobb" sold for $408,000 in February 2018.
Career Highlights: Ty Cobb
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Career highlights: Eight-time American League hits leader (1907-09, 1911, 1912, 1915, 1917, 1919)
18. 1909 T206 Joe Doyle (Error)
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Price: $414,750
Year sold: 2012
Bottom Line: 1909 T206 Joe Doyle (Error)
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From Wagner to Ryan, this list has been filled with Hall of Famers or should-be Hall of Famers. "Slow Joe," however, was best known for being a slow-working pitcher, taking unusual amounts of time between pitches.
This isn't the reason why a PSA 3 1909 T206 Doyle sold for $414,750 in 2012 though. Besides its inclusion in the legendary 1909 T206 set, it's a printing error — his T206 card is supposed to say "American" on the bottom but instead says "Nat'l" — which has made collectors go crazy. As cards were being inserted into packs, the error was spotted and the printing plate corrected, but about 10 valuable misprints survived.
Career Highlights: Joe Doyle
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Career highlights: None
15. 1932 U.S. Caramel Babe Ruth (Tie)
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Price: $432,000
Year sold: 2019
Bottom Line: 1932 U.S. Caramel Babe Ruth
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A PSA 9 mint copy of the 1932 U.S. Caramel Babe Ruth — one grade short of perfect condition — collected $432,000 in April 2019.
Why so much? It's all in the name.
Besides the Babe's obvious notoriety, this isn't an easy card to find in such top-notch shape. Consider that the cards were packaged with caramel, which means they're susceptible to staining. And if the cards weren't stained by the caramel, there's a good chance that sticky-fingered kids would do the rest.
Career Highlights: Babe Ruth
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Career highlights: American League batting champion (1924), 12-time American League home run leader (1918-21, 1923, 1924, 1926-31), five-time American League RBI leader (1919-21, 1923, 1926), American League ERA leader (1916)
15. 1948 Leaf Satchel Paige (Tie)
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Price: $432,000
Year sold: 2018
Bottom Line: 1948 Leaf Satchel Paige
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It's not common for a rookie card of a 42-year-old pitcher to be so highly coveted. But Leroy "Satchel" Paige was no common pitcher.
Perhaps the most-dominant hurler in Negro Leagues history, the charismatic Paige didn't get a chance to show his stuff in the majors until 1948. The ageless wonder stepped in with ease, going 6-1 for the world champion Cleveland Indians.
A PSA 8 copy of this card, which is also short printed compared to the rest of the 1948 Leaf set, sold for $432,000 in November 2018.
Career Highlights: Satchel Paige
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Career highlights: World Series champion (1948), two-time MLB All-Star (1952, 1953), six-time Negro League All-Star (1933-34, 1936, 1941-43), Negro League World Series champion (1942)
15. 1915 Cracker Jack Ty Cobb (Tie)
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Price: $432,000
Year sold: 2016
Bottom Line: 1915 Cracker Jack Ty Cobb
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Featuring a similar design to the 1914 Cracker Jack, this one is more valuable. The major differences between the two are that the 1915 version has a reverse that is turned upside down, and they were also printed on thicker paper stock.
A PSA 9 1915 Cracker Jack Cobb sold for $432,000 in May 2016.
Career Highlights: Ty Cobb
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Career highlights: 11-time American League OPS+ leader (1907-15, 1917, 1918)
13. 1952 Topps Willie Mays (Tie)
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Price: $478,000
Year sold: 2016
Bottom Line: 1952 Topps Willie Mays
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Like the 1952 Mantle, this isn't Mays's rookie card — that honor also belongs to 1951 Bowman — but this is the Say Hey Kid's most sought-after pasteboard.
Considered by some to be the best all-around player in baseball history, Mays was the prototypical five-tool star: He could hit for average; hit for power; and field, run and throw with the best of them.
A PSA 9 1952 Topps Mays sold for $478,000 in May 2016.
Career Highlights: Willie Mays
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Career highlights: National League batting champion (1954), four-time National League home run leader (1955, 1962, 1964, 1965), four-time National League stolen bases leader (1956-59)
13. 1955 Topps Roberto Clemente (Tie)
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Price: $478,000
Year sold: 2018
Bottom Line: 1955 Topps Roberto Clemente
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A PSA 9 1955 Topps Clemente sold for $478,000 in February 2018. The amazing thing? A PSA 10 of this same Clemente rookie card — once owned by All-Star Dmitri Young — went for $432,690 in May 2012. What would a PSA 10 1955 Topps Clemente go for today?
Besides his smooth, all-around game, the Pirates outfielder is also remembered fondly as a humanitarian. He died in a plane crash on the way to Nicaragua in 1972, delivering emergency supplies to a country that had just been rocked by a massive earthquake. He was just 38.
Career Highlights: Roberto Clemente
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Career highlights: Two-time World Series champion (1960, 1971), 15-time MLB All-Star (1960-67, 1969-72), National League MVP (1966), World Series MVP (1971), 12-time Gold Glove Award winner (1961-72)
12. 1909 T206 Ty Cobb (Bat Off Shoulder)
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Price: $488,425
Year sold: 2016
Bottom Line: 1909 T206 Ty Cobb (Bat Off Shoulder)
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As mentioned, there were four Cobb cards in the landmark T206 set. Only three of these Cobb cards have been graded PSA 9, which while not "Gem Mint," is still defined as "Mint." Considering that T206 cards are over a century old, this is a remarkable condition.
In August 2016, a PSA 9 1909 T206 "bat off shoulder" Cobb front sold for $488,425.
Career Highlights: Ty Cobb
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Career highlights: Five-time American League runs leader (1909-11, 1915, 1916)
11. 1914 Baltimore News Babe Ruth
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Price: $575,000
Year sold: 2012
Bottom Line: 1914 Baltimore News Babe Ruth
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It's thought that only about 10 copies of this Ruth "pre-rookie" card still exist.
There are red and blue tint versions of this card, which depicts Ruth in his minor-league Baltimore Orioles uniform.
A PSA 2 1914 Baltimore News Ruth sold for $575,000 in 2012. That the highest-recorded sale of this card happened six years ago is a testament to its rarity.
Career Highlights: Babe Ruth
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Career highlights: MLB career record slugging percentage (.690), MLB career record OPS (1.164), MLB career record OPS+ (206)
10. 1910 T210 Old Mill Joe Jackson
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Price: $600,000
Year sold: 2019
Bottom Line: 1910 T210 Old Mill Joe Jackson
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It's been 100 years since the Black Sox scandal and 30 years since "Field of Dreams," but the public continues to be fascinated by "Shoeless Joe."
This February 2019 sale of a PSA 3.5 T210 Old Mill Joe Jackson for $600,000 is proof.
Career Highlights: Joe Jackson
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Career highlights: World Series champion (1917)
9. 1968 Topps Nolan Ryan
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Price: $612,359
Year sold: 2016
Bottom Line: 1968 Topps Nolan Ryan
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While this Ryan rookie card is relatively plentiful — as of August 2018, PSA has graded 8,279 copies — only one of this fireballer's debut issue has been graded a PSA 10.
This scarcity of perfection garnered $612,359 in August 2016.
Ryan, who holds the all-time record for strikeouts, figures to hold his popularity over the years.
Career Highlights: Nolan Ryan
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Career highlights: World Series champion (1969), eight-time All-Star (1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1979, 1981, 1985, 1989), 11-time MLB strikeout leader (1972-74, 1976-79, 1987-90), two-time NL leader (1981, 1987), MLB All-Century Team
8. 1909 T206 Sherry Magee (Error)
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Price: $660,000
Year sold: 2018
Bottom Line: 1909 T206 Sherry Magee (Error)
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Sherry Magee led the National League in RBI four times, but that's not why his PSA 8 T206 card sold for $660,000 in September 2018.
Instead, it's another T206 error: Magee's name was initially spelled "Magie" before being corrected. The corrected version was printed in much higher quantities than the error.
The 1909 T206 Sherry "Magie" is considered the most celebrated "error" in baseball card history. PSA 8 is the best-preserved example of this piece of history.
Career Highlights: Sherry Magee
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Career highlights: World Series champion (1919), National League batting champion (1910), four-time National League RBI leader (1907, 1910, 1914, 1918)
7. 1909 American Caramel E90-1 Joe Jackson
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Price: $667,149
Year sold: 2016
Bottom Line: 1909 American Caramel E90-1 Joe Jackson
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Again, no one can forget the infamous legend that was Joe Jackson.
This PSA 8 1909 American Caramel E90-1 Jackson, which is also his rookie card, went for $667,149 in August 2016.
Career Highlights: Joe Jackson
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Career lowlights: Banned from MLB for life (1920)
6. 1909 T206 Eddie Plank
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Price: $700,000
Year sold: 2012
Bottom Line: 1909 T206 Eddie Plank
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Like the T206 Wagner, the exact reason for the T206 Plank's scarcity has been lost to time.
Was it a broken printing plate? Did Plank, who was stridently anti-tobacco, object to being used to promote the American Tobacco Company? Or did the future Hall of Fame pitcher simply not like how much he was being paid for his likeness?
Whatever the reason, there are only about 75 T206 Planks in existence.
According to Joe Orlando, the CEO of PSA's parent company, Collectors Universe, a PSA 7 Plank sold privately for at least $700,000 in 2012.
Career Highlights: Eddie Plank
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Career highlights: Three-time World Series champion (1910, 1911, 1913), National Baseball Hall of Fame (1946)
4. 1963 Topps Pete Rose (Tie)
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Price: $717,000
Year sold: 2016
Bottom Line: 1963 Topps Pete Rose
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Despite his lifetime ban from baseball — because he gambled on the sport — Pete Rose remains just as popular as ever.
This PSA 10 1963 Topps Rose rookie card sold in August 2016 for $717,000.
As of August 2018, there have been 3,711 rookie cards of "The Hit King" graded by PSA, and only this one has been graded as "Gem Mint."
Career Highlights: Pete Rose
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Career highlights: Three-time World Series champion (1975,1976,1980), National League MVP (1973), World Series MVP (1975), NL Rookie of the Year (1963), 17-time MLB All-Star (1965, 1967-71, 1973-83, 1985), two-time Gold Glove Award winner (1969, 1970), Silver Slugger Award (1981), MLB All-Century Team
4. 1916 Sporting News Babe Ruth (Tie)
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Price: $717,000
Year sold: 2016
Bottom Line: 1916 Sporting News Babe Ruth
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Considering Babe Ruth's stature in the sport of baseball, there may be no rookie card more important than the 1916 Sporting News Ruth.
Unlike others on this list, which were strictly used as promotional tools for the American Tobacco Company, the 1916 Ruth was “a collectible business card.” Chicago-based printer Felix Mendelsohn ran off the cards with blank backs, which enabled businesses to add their own advertising to the back.
There were as many as 16 businesses advertised, but The Sporting News reverse is the most coveted; a PSA 7 sold in August 2016 for $717,000.
Career Highlights: Babe Ruth
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Career dinner highlights: Two porterhouse steaks, two orders cottage-fried potatoes, two heads of lettuce, two apple pies with ice cream, four hot dogs, four Coca-Colas (six-hour period)
3. 1951 Bowman Mickey Mantle
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Price: $750,000
Year sold: 2018
Bottom Line: 1951 Bowman Mickey Mantle
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There's another Mantle card on this list that's more valuable, but it's not the slugger's rookie card. That distinction belongs to the 1951 Bowman Mantle.
Mantle died at 63 in 1995, but he was able to enjoy his massive popularity among baseball card collectors. As the sports collectibles and memorabilia market exploded in the 1980s, he was a frequent headliner at newly popular baseball card shows.
In April 2018, a PSA 9 1951 Bowman Mantle sold for $750,000.
Career Highlights: Mickey Mantle
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Career highlights: Five-time American League runs leader (1954, 1956-58, 1960), four-time American League home runs leader (1955, 1956, 1958, 1960)
2. 1909 T206 Honus Wagner
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Price: $7.5 million
Year sold: 2022
Bottom Line: 1909 T206 Honus Wagner
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There are only about 50 known copies of the T206 Wagner, the undisputed "Mona Lisa" of baseball cards.
Wagner himself is the reason for the card's rarity. Apparently, the Pittsburgh Pirates star barred the American Tobacco Company from continuing production of the card — either because he didn't want children to buy cigarettes to acquire his card or because he wanted to get paid more for his likeness.
A PSA 5 T206 Wagner sold for a then-industry-record $3.12 million in 2016. This was the highest, unaltered grade that the Wagner card has received.
In 2022, the famous Wagner card sold for a record $7.25 million in a private sale facilitated by Goldin Auctions. That price topped the $6.6 million that the card sold for in August 2021.
Career Highlights: Honus Wagner
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Career highlights: Eight-time National League batting champion (1900, 1903, 1904, 1906-09, 1911), five-time National League RBI leader (1901, 1902, 1908, 1909, 1912), five-time National League stolen base leader (1901, 1902, 1904, 1907, 1908)
1. 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle
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Price: $12.6 million
Year sold: 2022
Bottom Line: 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle
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As this list shows, Topps has dominated the baseball card scene for the past six decades, issuing a set in every year since 1951. And the 1952 Topps Mantle is the crown jewel of modern baseball cards.
That didn't stop Topps' Sy Berger, the “father of the modern-day baseball card,” from dumping three garbage trucks of unsold 1952 Topps cases, including countless Mantles, into the Atlantic Ocean in 1960. Back then, baseball cards were not considered precious collectibles, and Berger needed to make space in the Topps warehouse.
Berger noted, "Around 1959 or so, I went around to carnivals and offered them for a penny a piece, and it got so bad I offered them at 10 for a penny. They would say, 'We don't want them.'"
In April 2018, recently retired NFL offensive guard Evan Mathis fetched a pretty penny by selling a PSA 9 Mantle for $2.88 million.
In August 2022, a different 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle card with a 9.5 grade from grader SGC sold for $12.6 million. It was the most ever paid for any sports item, card or memorabilia.
Career Highlights: Mickey Mantle
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Career highlights: World Series records for most home runs (18), extra-base hits (26) and total bases (123)