Baseball cards have been a beloved collectible for over a century, with some rare and iconic cards fetching astronomical prices at auction. Here are some of the most expensive baseball cards ever sold.
1. Mickey Mantle 1952 Topps – $12.6 million
2. Honus Wagner T206 – $7.25 million
3. Honus Wagner T206 – $6.6 million
4. Mickey Mantle 1952 Topps PSA 9 – $5.2 million
5. Babe Ruth 1933 Goudey #53 – $4.2 million
6. Mike Trout 2009 Bowman Chrome Draft Superfractor Autograph – $3.9 million
7. Honus Wagner T206 PSA 2 – $3.75 million
8. Mickey Mantle 1951 Topps Rookie PSA 9 – $3.9 million
9. Hank Aaron 1954 Topps – $358,000
10. Joe DiMaggio 1938 Goudey – $288,000
Also Read: The Most Expensive Basketball Cards Ever Sold
The 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle card shattered the record for most expensive sports card when it sold for a staggering $12.6 million in August 2022. This iconic card features the legendary New York Yankees slugger and is highly coveted due to its scarcity and Mantle’s superstar status. Only a handful of pristine examples exist, making it one of the rarest and most sought-after cards in the hobby.
This is the most valuable baseball card, the 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle card. It sold for a record-breaking $12.6 million in 2022. pic.twitter.com/eELc2a2Ce7
— Historic Vids (@historyinmemes) December 28, 2023
BREAKING: Goldin Shatters Record for Most Expensive Trading Card Ever With $7.25 Million Private Sale of Honus Wagner T-206 Card
The T-206 Wagner is one of the undisputed pinnacles of trading cards, with fewer than 50 authenticated copies on earth.https://t.co/0UwSHKLSFx pic.twitter.com/bs4WpAJqq9
— Goldin (@GoldinCo) August 4, 2022
A 1933 Goudey #53 Babe Ruth card, graded PSA 9 (mint condition), sold for an incredible $4.2 million in July 2021. The card features the iconic slugger in his prime and is one of the most famous and desirable Ruth cards ever produced. Its exceptional condition and Ruth’s legendary status contributed to its astronomical sale price.
In August 2020, a one-of-a-kind 2009 Bowman Chrome Draft Superfractor Autograph of Mike Trout sold for $3.9 million, briefly holding the record for most expensive sports card ever sold. This ultra-rare card features Trout’s on-card autograph and is a 1/1 (one of one) edition, making it an extremely valuable modern card of the future Hall of Famer.These astronomical sale prices demonstrate the enduring appeal and value of rare and iconic baseball cards, particularly those featuring all-time greats like Mantle, Wagner, and Ruth. As the hobby continues to grow, it’s likely that more record-breaking sales will occur in the years to come.
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