When it comes to collecting valuable baseball cards, condition is everything. The best way to objectively determine a card’s condition is to have it professionally graded. Third-party grading companies like PSA, BGS, SGC analyze each card under a microscope and assign it a numerical grade based on its centering, corners, edges and surface quality. This gives collectors a standardized way to compare the condition of any given card.
The higher the grade, the rarer and more valuable the card. Only the finest specimens earn the prestigious PSA 10 or BGS/SGC Gem Mint 10 designation, signifying a true perfect card. These top-graded gems often shatter auction records and command five-figure or even six-figure prices. While ultra high-end cards fetch the biggest bucks, there are plenty of spectacular seven-figure cards across all price ranges that exemplify the pinnacle of condition. Here’s a look at some of the most coveted graded baseball cards on the market today from the most respected third-party authenticators.
1909-11 T206 Honus Wagner (PSA NM-MT 8): The Holy Grail of cards, even in relatively lower grades the Wagner is an undisputed blue-chip investment. Just 86 high-grade examples are known to exist, making each one exponentially more valuable. A PSA 8 brought $1.2 million at auction in 2016.
1952 Topps Mickey Mantle (PSA Gem Mint 10): The finest known Mantle rookie just sold for $5.2 million, but PSA 10s regularly bring mid-six-figure sums. Mantle is the all-time most valuable sports card subject.
1933 Goudey Jimmie Foxx (PSA EX 5): One of only 12 graded examples in existence of Foxx’s iconic rookie make this a truly rare find. Sold for $360,000 in 2017.
1909-11 T206 Mathewson (PSA EX 5): Considered the “Mona Lisa” of cards due to its beautiful portrait, high grades are exceedingly rare. Just 3-4 are known to exist.
1914 Cracker Jack Jackie Mitchell (PSA NM-MT 8): The only known example of what is widely considered the first sports card ever produced, a true piece of cardboard history. Sold for $92,000 in 2016.
1948 Leaf Jackie Robinson (PSA Gem Mint 10): Robinson’s first card as a Brooklyn Dodger is iconic for breaking baseball’s color barrier. Only one PSA 10 is known. Sold for $480,000 in 2017.
1909-11 T206 Sherry Magee (PSA EX 5): One of the most visually stunning T206 images, with just a small handful graded higher. Sold for $234,000 in 2016.
1909-11 T206 Eddie Plank (PSA EX 5): High grades of this popular Athletics pitcher are very scarce, with strong demand from A’s collectors. Sold for $144,000 in 2018.
2006 Bowman Draft Auto Mike Trout (PSA Gem Mint 10): Trout’s earliest signed card skyrocketed in value as he became a superstar. A true long-term investment for the ages.
1988 Score Griffey Jr. RC (PSA Gem Mint 10): Even at the end of the 80s boom, pristine Ken Griffey Jr. rookies remain icons. Consistently sell in the six figures.
1957 Topps Hank Aaron (PSA Gem Mint 10): Widely considered the finest known example of the Hammer’s iconic rookie. Sold for $298,000 in 2016.
1909-11 T206 Sherry Magee (PSA EX 5): One of the most visually stunning T206 images, with just a small handful graded higher. Sold for $234,000 in 2016.
1973 Topps Nolan Ryan (PSA Gem Mint 10): High grades of the Ryan are rare, and this true perfect specimen sold for $99,000 in 2018.
1909-11 T206 Eddie Plank (PSA EX 5): High grades of this popular Athletics pitcher are very scarce, with strong demand from A’s collectors. Sold for $144,000 in 2018.
1933 Goudey Jimmie Foxx (PSA EX 5): One of only 12 graded examples in existence of Foxx’s iconic rookie make this a truly rare find. Sold for $360,000 in 2017.
2006 Bowman Draft Auto Mike Trout (PSA Gem Mint 10): Trout’s earliest signed card skyrocketed in value as he became a superstar. A true long-term investment for the ages.
1988 Score Griffey Jr. RC (PSA Gem Mint 10): Even at the end of the 80s boom, pristine Ken Griffey Jr. rookies remain icons. Consistently sell in the six figures.
1957 Topps Hank Aaron (PSA Gem Mint 10): Widely considered the finest known example of the Hammer’s iconic rookie. Sold for $298,000 in 2016.
1909-11 T206 Honus Wagner (PSA NM-MT 8): The Holy Grail of cards, even in relatively lower grades the Wagner is an undisputed blue-chip investment. Just 86 high-grade examples are known to exist, making each one exponentially more valuable. A PSA 8 brought $1.2 million at auction in 2016.
1952 Topps Mickey Mantle (PSA Gem Mint 10): The finest known Mantle rookie just sold for $5.2 million, but PSA 10s regularly bring mid-six-figure sums. Mantle is the all-time most valuable sports card subject.
1914 Cracker Jack Jackie Mitchell (PSA NM-MT 8): The only known example of what is widely considered the first sports card ever produced, a true piece of cardboard history. Sold for $92,000 in 2016.
1948 Leaf Jackie Robinson (PSA Gem Mint 10): Robinson’s first card as a Brooklyn Dodger is iconic for breaking baseball’s color barrier. Only one PSA 10 is known. Sold for $480,000 in 2017.
1909-11 T206 Mathewson (PSA EX 5): Considered the “Mona Lisa” of cards due to its beautiful portrait, high grades are exceedingly rare. Just 3-4 are known to exist.
1973 Topps Nolan Ryan (PSA Gem Mint 10): High grades of the Ryan are rare, and this true perfect specimen sold for $99,000 in 2018.
As you can see, the rarest and finest examples of iconic cards from the T206 set through the modern era can be considered the crème de la crème when it comes to the high-end graded card market. Whether you’re looking for a blue-chip investment, a piece of cardboard history or simply one of the most visually stunning cards ever produced – these top-graded gems truly represent the pinnacle of the collecting hobby. With such a small supply of high-quality specimens, the prices will likely continue their astronomical rise for years to come.
