The hobby of collecting vintage baseball cards has grown exponentially in popularity and value over the past few decades. As the sport itself has increased in global reach and revenue, so too have the pieces of memorabilia that connect fans to legendary ballplayers of eras past. While a common Mickey Mantle rookie card may sell for a few hundred dollars, the rarest and best conditioned examples from the earliest years of the hobby have achieved auction prices in the millions.
As recognition for the antiquity and significance of these fragile scraps of cardboard has mounted, a secondary market of focused collectors, savvy investors, and big-named auction houses has coalesced. No longer are basements and attics the primary venues for discovering forgotten treasure troves – instead, the competition for the most illustrious vintage cards has migrated online and onto the auction block. Here is a profile of the 10 highest selling individual baseball cards of all time, with prices achieved at public sale:
1911 Billy Sunday T206 (PSA 8) – $771,200
This early 20th century Tobacco card is among the most visually stunning in the entire collectible universe. Featuring the famed evangelist Billy Sunday in uniform, its superb artwork and iconic imagery have made it a highly coveted find for vintage enthusiasts. The PSA 8 graded example that topped three-quarters of a million at auction in 2021 shows off impressive centering and detail retention for such an antique piece of paper.
1909-1911 T206 Honus Wagner (PSA Authentic) – $776,000
Arguably the single most storied card in the entire hobby, any authentic vintage example of “The Flying Dutchman” Honus Wagner achieves astronomical prices. While the PSA Authentic specimen that sold in 2016 for $776,000 had flaws, its verification as a real T206 Wagner was enough to shatter expectations. Endlessly discussed and sought-after, this is truly a holy grail that sparked the earliest whispers of the market potentially reaching eight-figure territory.
1909-1911 T206 Eddie Plank (SGC 40) – $932,000
Over 30 years prior to the first known Mickey Mantle rookie, this star pitcher’s iconic tobacco issue T206 emerged on the market in near-perfectly preserved condition. Offered at Robert Edward Auctions, the SGC 40 grade signifies excellent centering and vivid color. As one of the all-time standouts of his playing days, Plank’s above-average likeness adds significant appeal for collectors.
1952 Topps Mickey Mantle (PSA NM-MT 8) – $1.13 million
While many agree the ’52 Topps set has superior design compared to ’51, supply is far more limited. Mantle’s rookie unveiled at Heritage Auctions in 2021 was among the most visually pleasing and problem-free examples extant, with perfect centering and bright color. As the single greatest sports card subject of all time, any high-grade Mantle rookie continues raising the ceiling.
1933 Goudey #53 Jimmie Foxx (PSA NM-MT 8) – $1.47 million
First issued during the dawn of the modern sports card era, 1933 Goudey presents some of the cleanest and most artistic depictions of its time. Foxx was in his prime as a Philadelphia Athletic, and this spectacular PSA 8 shows off robust color and detail on a true Holy Grail card for vintage collectors. It brought a record price when crossing the block at Mile High Card Company.
1909-1911 T206 Mathewson (SGC 0) – $2.8 million
Many consider “Matty” Mathewson the greatest pitcher who ever lived. For over a century, his coveted tobacco card eluded the grasp of even the most well-heeled collectors – until still-sealed mint condition examples surfaced in the mid-2010s. Offered at auction by Collectable.com, this pristine SGC 0 grade realized nearly $3 million, by far smashing all previous standards for the issue.
1909-1911 T206 Walter Johnson (Near Mint 8) – $3.12 million
Big Train Walter Johnson dominated on the mound much like Mathewson before him. This superbly preserved example of his scarce early tobacco issue found a new home at Goldin Auctions, where its quality and subject matter’s importance to the game cemented its place among the top prices ever. Johnson is viewed as possibly the premier example of raw athletic ability in baseball history.
1909-1911 T206 Christy Mathewson (PSA NM-MT 8) – $3.24 million
Similar to the Walter Johnson that ranks just above it, what separates this Mathewson from others is simply its astonishing state of preservation after well over a century. Offered by Heritage Auctions in 2021, both the visual quality and historical significance contributed to smashing expectations as the 3rd highest sum ever for a single card.
1917 Sporting News Babe Ruth Rookie (SGC 3) – $5.2 million
While not technically a “rookie card,” this remarkably scarce early issue of the Sultan of Swat has long captivated collectors with its rarity, subject, and place in sports history. When it crossed the block at auction from Hunt Auctions, it demolished assumptions on valuations for any non-T206 issue. Condition was quite flawed, but premium was paid strictly on scarcity factors.
1909-1911 T206 Honus Wagner (PSA Good 2) – $6.6 million
For nearly fifteen years, this well-handled yet completely authentic example of the most prized card has reigned at number one. Secured by collector breaking records at SCP Auctions, it showcased immense eye appeal despite issues – a testament to Wagner’s enduring mystique. No other card moves the collectibles needle quite like the rare, early portraits of this true pioneer of the game who became its first superstar.
With populations of finest known quality specimens constantly shrinking and mainstream awareness growing, it is reasonable to project even higher prices realized for elite examples of these seminal cards as collectibles continues blurring into mainstream investments. Those fortunate enough to have discovered treasures passed down through family are sitting on potential fortunes, as exemplified here by mammoth sums achieved by increasingly competitive bidding on the rarest and most presentable specimens.
