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The Top 100 Most Valuable Sports Cards
The Dibbs Team
Jun 6, 2022
16 min read
The Dibbs Team
Jun 6, 2022
16 min read

The Top 100 Most Valuable Sports Cards

These 100 cards are the most valuable additions to any serious collector’s portfolio.

The Top 100 Most Valuable Sports Cards

What are the most valuable sports cards on the market? Collectors and appraisers consider several factors to determine which sports cards hold the most value. Whether you’re interested in baseball cards, basketball cards, or collectible cards for other sports, clearly defined criteria determine which are the most valuable for each category. Keep reading to learn what goes into the appraisal process — as well as our list of the top 100 most valuable sports cards that may make you wonder “how much are my sports cards worth?”

How To Determine the Top 100 Most Valuable Sports Cards

Let’s quickly go through the main criteria that determine the value of sports cards.

  • Condition: A card that’s in Gem Mint condition is more valuable than a regular Mint, which is more valuable than Near Mint. Basically, the cards with the least cosmetic damage will attract the highest prices.
  • Age: Collectible sports cards have existed in some form or another for over a century; the older the card, the more money it’s worth. Pre-War baseball cards are extremely valuable, but vintage cards can also pull some impressive prices.
  • Rarity: Sports cards can be rare for a variety of reasons, such as misprints, autographs, shortened careers, or other market factors that caused demand to far exceed supply. In these cases, newer cards or cards in poorer conditions can even attract higher prices than older mint cards.
  • Market factors: Athletes can become noteworthy for any reason, both on and off the field. If a lesser-known player suddenly becomes a big deal, their card can skyrocket in value.

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Reputable Price Guides for Sports Cards

Many of the best card grading companies also provide their own sport card value guide, which helps buyers and sellers trade at fair market rates. Here are some noteworthy graders and price setters people rely on when buying sports cards for their collections:

  • Beckett Grading Services: Also known as BGS, Beckett is popular for both its grading services and price guides for a wide range of sports cards, as well as other collectible card games and comic books.
  • Professional Sports Authenticator: Known as PSA, this company offers grading and price guides at a level so precise that their grading may increase a card’s value on the market, though their services are priced to match.
  • eBay Price Guide: Although they don’t offer grading and its guide is still in beta, eBay’s status as one of the longest-running and most successful online marketplaces means it has plenty of useful data on previous sales to determine the most accurate prices for collectible sports cards.

Top 100 Most Valuable Sports Cards

To determine the 100 most valuable collectible cards in the wide world of sports, we checked multiple price guides to find valuable cards from baseball, basketball, football, soccer, boxing, racing, and golf that sold for high prices within the last few years. Our findings are broken down by sport below.

Top 20 Most Valuable Baseball Cards

  1. 1909-1911 T206 Honus Wagner SGC 3: Sold in August 2021 on Robert Edward Auctions for $6,606,296.40.
  2. 2009 Bowman Chrome Draft Prospects Mike Trout Superfractors Rookie Card BGS 9 (Autographed): Sold in August 2020 on Goldin Auctions for $3,840,000.
  3. 1951 Bowman #253 Mickey Mantle Rookie Card PSA 8: Sold in March 2021 on Goldin Auctions for $600,000.
  4. 1968 Topps #177 Mets Rookies Jerry Koosman / Nolan Ryan PSA 10: Sold in August 2020 on Goldin Auctions for $600,000.
  5. 2016 Bowman Chrome Red Refractor Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Rookie BGS 10 (Autographed): Sold in April 2022 on PWCC for $552,000.
  6. 1911 T205 Cy Young Sweet Caporal Cigarettes PSA 7: Sold in October 2021 on Memory Lane for $110,084.40.
  7. 1948 Leaf Satchel Paige #8 PSA 7: Sold in September 2020 on Heritage Auctions for $108,000.
  8. 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle 311 Rookie RC SGC 3.5: Sold in March 2022 on eBay for $68,101.
  9. 1948 Bowman #36 Stan Musial Rookie Card PSA 9: Sold in May 2021 on Goldin Auctions for $43,200.
  10. 1915 Cracker Jack Christy Mathewson #88 PSA 8: Sold in February 2021 on Heritage Auctions for $43,200.
  11. 1933 Goudey #53 Babe Ruth New York Yankees HOF PSA 5: Sold in April 2022 on eBay for $41,344.
  12. 1948 Leaf Joe DiMaggio #1 PSA 8: Sold in January 2022 on Heritage Auctions for $39,600.
  13. 1951 Bowman Whitey Ford Rookie #1 PSA 8: Sold in February 2022 on Heritage Auctions for $33,600.
  14. 1954 Topps #128 Hank Aaron BVG 8: Sold in April 2022 on eBay for $31,601.
  15. 1951 Willie Mays Bowman Rookie #305 PSA 6: Sold in April 2022 on eBay for $32,922.
  16. 1952 Topps #312 Jackie Robinson Brooklyn Dodgers HOF PSA 5: Sold in May 2022 on eBay for $23,100.
  17. 2018 Topps Diamond Icons Shohei Ohtani Rookie PSA 10 (Autographed): Sold in April 2022 on eBay for $20,100.
  18. 1955 Topps #164 Roberto Clemente PSA 6: Sold in March 2022 on eBay for $20,000.
  19. 1915 Cracker Jack Shoeless Joe Jackson SGC Authentic E145 #103: Sold in May 2022 on eBay for $19,100.
  20. 1952 Topps #261 Willie Mays New York Giants HOF SGC 6: Sold in April 2022 on eBay for $18,601.

Top 20 Most Valuable Basketball Cards

  1. 1986 Fleer Michael Jordan Rookie RC #57 PSA 10: Sold in July 2021 on PWCC for $840,000.
  2. 1980 Topps Larry Bird / Julius Erving / Magic Johnson Rookie Card PSA 10: Sold in April 2021 on PWCC for $840,000.
  3. 1957 Topps Bill Russell Rookie #77 PSA 8.5: Sold in August 2021 on Heritage Auctions for $630,000.
  4. 1948 Bowman George Mikan #69 PSA 9: Sold in June 2021 on Memory Lane for $426,000.
  5. 1969-70 Topps #25 Lew Alcindor Rookie Card PSA 9: Sold in April 2021 by Goldin Auctions for $336,000.
  6. 1961 Fleer Oscar Robertson Rookie RC PSA 9: Sold in February 2021 on eBay for $88,000.
  7. 1996 Skybox E-X2000 Kobe Bryant Rookie RC #30 PSA 10: Sold in February 2021 on eBay for $87,100.
  8. 1970 Topps #123 Pete Maravich Rookie Card PSA 9: Sold in February 2022 on Memory Lane for $86,947.20.
  9. 1961 Fleer #43 Jerry West Rookie Card PSA 9: Sold in August 2021 on Heritage Auctions for $87,000.
  10. 1957 Topps #17 Bob Cousy Rookie Card PSA 8: Sold in August 2021 on Heritage Auctions for $63,000.
  11. 1985 Prism Jewel Stickers Michael Jordan Rookie PSA 8: Sold in February 2021 on eBay for $53,332.
  12. 1986 Fleer Basketball SETBREAK #76 Johnny Moore PSA 10: Sold in May 2022 on eBay for $51,990.
  13. 2003 Topps Chrome LeBron James Rookie RC #111 PSA 10: Sold in February 2021 on eBay for $46,500.
  14. 1961 Fleer #3 Elgin Baylor Rookie Card PSA 9: Sold in October 2021 on Memory Lane for $31,986.
  15. 1961-62 Fleer #8 Wilt Chamberlain BVG 8: Sold in April 2022 on eBay for $23,601.
  16. 1984-85 1984 Star Michael Jordan Rookie Card SCD 8.5: Sold in March 2022 on eBay for $20,200.99.
  17. 2016-17 Panini Impeccable State 81 Kobe Bryant HOF PSA 8 (Autographed): Sold in May 2022 on eBay for $20,100.
  18. 2009 Playoff Contenders Stephen Curry Rookie RC #106 PSA 10 (Autographed): Sold in February 2021 on eBay for $20,000.
  19. 2003-04 SP Signature Edition Michael Jordan BGS 9.5 (Autographed): Sold in May 2022 on eBay for $16,123.23.
  20. 1986 Fleer Setbreak #1 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar HOF PSA 10: Sold in May 2022 on eBay for $15,190.

Top 20 Most Valuable Football Cards

  1. 2000 Playoff Contenders Tom Brady Rookie RC #144 PSA 10 (Autographed): Sold in August 2021 on PWCC for $2,880,000.
  2. 2017 Panini Prizm Gold Patrick Mahomes II Rookie RC #269 PSA 10: Sold in August 2021 on PWCC for $528,000.
  3. 1971 Topps #156 Terry Bradshaw Rookie Card PSA 10: Sold in October 2021 on Goldin Auctions for $420,000.
  4. 2000 Fleer Showcase Masterpieces Tom Brady Rookie #136 BGS 8.5: Sold in May 2022 on PWCC for $396,000.
  5. 2000 SP Authentic Tom Brady Rookie RC #118 PSA 10 (Autographed): Sold in October 2021 on PWCC for $360,000.
  6. 1958 Topps Football #62 Jim Brown Rookie PSA 8.5: Sold in April 2022 on Robert Edward Auctions for $288,000.
  7. 1965 Topps Joe Namath Rookie #122 PSA 8.5: Sold in February 2021 on Heritage Auctions for $198,000.
  8. 1976 Topps #148 Walter Payton Rookie Card PSA 10: Sold in March 2021 on Goldin Auctions for $124,230.
  9. 1981 Topps #216 Joe Montana Rookie Card PSA 10: Sold in March 2022 on Robert Edward Auctions for $87,000.
  10. 1957 Topps Football #119 Bart Starr Rookie Card PSA 8: Sold in April 2022 on Robert Edward Auctions for $29,400.
  11. 1957 Topps #151 Paul Hornung RC Heisman Packers HOF PSA 9: Sold in April 2022 on eBay for $25,601.
  12. 1935 National Chicle Bull Tosi #27 PSA 8: Sold in December 2019 on Heritage Auctions for $24,000.
  13. 2018 Select Black Josh Allen 2018 Beckett 9: Sold in May 2022 on eBay for $22,100.
  14. 1950 Bowman Football #45 Otto Graham Rookie Card PSA 9: Sold in October 2020 on Memory Lane for $20,713.20.
  15. 2000 Press Pass Gold Zone #37 Tom Brady Rookie Card PSA 10 (Autographed): Sold in March 2022 on eBay for $17,600.
  16. 2020 Justin Herbert Panini Flawless PSA 10 (Autographed): Sold in April 2022 on eBay for $16,000.
  17. 2000 Victory #326 Tom Brady Rookie Card PSA 10 (Autographed): Sold in March 2022 on eBay for $14,900.
  18. 1965 Topps Joe Namath Rookie PSA 9: Sold in April 2022 on eBay for $13,999.99.
  19. 1948 Leaf Football #54 Charles Bednarik Rookie Yellow Background PSA 7: Sold in December 2020 on Robert Edward Auctions for $13,200.
  20. 1955 Topps Jim Thorpe #37 PSA 9: Sold in May 2020 on Heritage Auctions for $11,100.

Top 10 Most Valuable Golf Cards

  1. 2001 SP Authentic Tiger Woods Rookie #45 PSA 10 (Autographed): Sold in March 2022 on PWCC for $240,000.
  2. 1932 U.S. Caramel Bobby Jones #3 PSA 9: Sold in May 2021 on Heritage Auctions for $105,000.
  3. 1933 Sport Kings #38 Bobby Jones PSA 8.5: Sold in December 2021 on Memory Lane for $32,781.60.
  4. 1973 Panini Campioni Dello Sport Jack Nicklaus #375 PSA 9: Sold in February 2021 on eBay for $12,000.
  5. 2001 Upper Deck Tiger Woods PSA 10 (Autographed): Sold in May 2022 on eBay for $10,976.52.
  6. 1981 Donruss Jack Nicklaus #13 Rookie Card PSA 10: Sold in April 2021 on eBay for $5,999.99.
  7. 1997 Tiger Woods Champions of Golf Rookie Card PSA 9: Sold in February 2021 on eBay for $5,400.
  8. 2002 SP Authentic Golf #110 Phil Mickelson RC Rookie PSA 10 (Autographed): Sold in April 2022 on eBay for $2,550.
  9. 2017 Upper Deck Tiger Woods Goodwin Champions PSA 9 (Autographed): Sold in April 2022 on eBay for $2,300.
  10. 2012 SP Authentic Golf Dustin Johnson Rookie Card (Autographed): Sold in August 2021 on eBay for $1,999.99.

Top 10 Most Valuable Hockey Cards

  1. 1979 OPC Wayne Gretzky Rookie Card #18 PSA 10: Sold in December 2020 on Heritage Auctions for $1,290,000.
  2. 1951-52 Parkhurst #66 Gordie Howe Rookie Card PSA 8.5: Sold in May 2021 on Goldin Auctions for $205,200.
  3. 1966 Topps #35 Bobby Orr Rookie Card PSA 8: Sold in December 2020 on Goldin Auctions for $85,200.
  4. 2015 SP Authentic Connor McDavid Rookie RC #226 BGS 10 (Autographed): Sold in March 2021 on PWCC for $85,100.
  5. 1958 Topps Bobby Hull Rookie #55 PSA 8: Sold in February 2021 on Heritage Auctions for $87,000.
  6. 1951 Parkhurst Terry Sawchuk #61 PSA 8: Sold in July 2021 on Heritage Auctions for $24,000.
  7. 1971-72 OPC #148 Guy La Fleur Rookie PSA 10: Sold in October 2021 on Classic Auctions for $22,226.40.
  8. 1971 OPC Ken Dryden #45 PSA 10: Sold in December 2020 on Heritage Auctions for $19,800.
  9. 1951 Parkhurst Butch Bouchard #3 PSA 9: Sold in December 2019 on Heritage Auctions for $4,200.
  10. 1966-67 Topps Bobby Orr #35 Rookie Card ACA 2.5: Sold in May 2022 on eBay for $3,034.71.

Top 10 Most Valuable Soccer Cards

  1. 1958 Alifabolaget Pele Rookie RC #635 PSA 8: Sold in March 2021 on PWCC for $340,100.
  2. 2003 Panini Sports Mega Craques Cristiano Ronaldo Rookie RC #137 PSA 10: Sold in October 2021 on PWCC for $250,000.
  3. 2014 Panini Prizm World Cup Lionel Messi #12 PSA 9: Sold in January 2022 on PWCC for $204,000.
  4. 2002 Panini Futebol Portugal Stickers Cristiano Ronaldo Rookie #306 PSA 10: Sold in December 2021 on PWCC for $138,000.
  5. 2004 Panini Sports Mega Cracks Lionel Messi Rookie RC #71 PSA 10: Sold in September 2020 on PWCC for $116,988.
  6. 1958 Editora Aquarela LTDA Pele Rookie #10 PSA 7: Sold in February 2022 on PWCC for $96,000.
  7. 2019 Topps Chroma Bundesliga Gold Refractor Erling Haalan RC PSA 10 (Autographed): Sold in March 2021 on PWCC for $67,700.
  8. 2018 Panini Prizm World Cup Gold Prizms Cristiano Ronaldo #154 BGS 8.5: Sold in April 2022 on PWCC for $63,000.
  9. 1974 Ageducatifs Michel Platini Rookie #289 PSA 9: Sold in May 2022 on PWCC for $49,200.
  10. 2018 Topps Chrome UCL Red Refractor Lionel Messi PSA 9 (Autographed): Sold in February 2022 on PWCC for $48,000.

Top 10 Most Valuable Boxing Cards

  1. 1960 Hemmets Journal Cassius Clay Muhammad Ali Rookie Card PSA 9: Sold in January 2022 on PWCC for $114,000.
  2. 1997 Brown’s Boxing #51 Floyd Mayweather Jr. Rookie Card PSA 10: Sold in January 2021 on Goldin Auctions for $36,900.
  3. 1986 Panini Supersport Mike Tyson Rookie RC #153 BGS 9.5: Sold in January 2021 on PWCC for $35,001.
  4. 1999 World Boxing Magazine Manny Pacquiao Rookie #143 PSA 9: Sold in March 2021 on eBay for $20,200.
  5. 1987 A Question Of Sport Mike Tyson Rookie RC #224 PSA 10: Sold in January 2021 on PWCC for $12,844.
  6. 1966 DC Thomas Hornett Gallery Of Sport Cassius Clay Muhammad Ali PSA 9: Sold in May 2022 on PWCC for $12,000.
  7. 1968 Mira Tuttosport I Campionissimi Cassius Clay Muhammad Ali #507 PSA 6: Sold in February 2022 on PWCC for $11,100.
  8. 1966 Panini Campioni Dello Sport Cassius Clay Muhammad Ali #377 PSA 8: Sold in March 2021 on PWCC for $9,600.
  9. 1948 Leaf Joe Louis #48 PSA 8: Sold in July 2021 on Heritage Auctions for $6,900.
  10. 1968 Mira Tuttosport Rocky Graziano PSA 5: Sold in March 2022 on eBay for $2,999.
Sports Cards Collectibles