Baseball cards have been a popular collectible for over a century and the trading and selling of cards on eBay has created a booming secondary market. Every year, certain rare and valuable baseball cards rise to the top of eBay’s sales charts by fetching five, six or even seven-figure prices. While rookie cards of all-time greats like Mickey Mantle and Honus Wagner will always be at the very pinnacle of value, the specific cards that are the hottest sellers on eBay can vary from year to year based on what rare specimens come onto the marketplace. Here’s a look at some of the top selling baseball cards on eBay in recent years according to price and sale frequency.
One of the most expensive baseball cards ever sold on eBay is the legendary 1909-11 T206 Honus Wagner card. The Wagner card is widely considered the most coveted and expensive trading card in existence due to its rarity. In the early 20th century, when these cards were originally released by the American Tobacco Company, it is believed that only 50-200 Wagner cards were printed. What makes the card so rare is that Wagner allegedly demanded his card be pulled from production because he did not want to promote the use of tobacco. In 2007, one mint condition example sold on eBay for $2.8 million, setting a new record. Other near-mint T206 Wagners have sold for over $1 million as well.
Another card that is consistently a top seller, sometimes surpassing even the Wagner, is the 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle. As one of the earliest Mickey Mantle rookie cards produced, it is incredibly scarce in high grades. In 2021, a PSA 9 example sold for $5.2 million on eBay, making it the highest price ever paid for a trading card at auction. Other PSA 9 1952 Topps Mantle rookies have sold for between $2-4 million. The card’s immense popularity is due to Mantle being widely considered the best switch hitter and center fielder in baseball history. As one of the first cards to feature a true superstar rookie, it remains an iconic piece of memorabilia.
A modern-era card that has been shattering records is the 2009 Bowman Draft Prospects Blue Refractor Auto Patch card of Los Angeles Angels star Mike Trout. Trout established himself as one of the greats early and interest in his rookie card skyrocketed after a few MVP-caliber seasons. In 2018, a PSA 10 example with a uniform piece sold for $400,000 on eBay. Other high-grade Trout autos with patches have sold in the $200,000-300,000 range in recent years. Even PSA 9 Trout rookies routinely fetch over $100,000. With Trout still in his prime, his cards maintain their immense desirability and value.
Other consistent top sellers that can reach six figures include rare vintage rookie cards from the likes of Babe Ruth, Ty Cobb, Ted Williams and Jackie Robinson. A 1909-11 T206 Babe Ruth sold for $5.2 million in 2016. High-grade examples of the more common 1952 Topps set have also been hot sellers, including Roberto Clemente ($96,000), Willie Mays ($69,600), and Hank Aaron ($35,000) rookies. For modern stars, rare autographed and memorabilia cards of Mariano Rivera, Ken Griffey Jr, Barry Bonds, and Alex Rodriguez can reach $50,000-100,000 depending on the relic or autograph.
Lower price range cards that are frequently bought and sold in bulk on eBay include common vintage and postwar issues from the 1950s and 1960s. Sets from 1953 Topps and 1959 Topps are especially popular, with individual common cards selling in the $10-50 range depending on the player and condition. Rarer short prints or errors from these sets can sell for hundreds or thousands. Modern rookie cards of current stars like Fernando Tatis Jr, Juan Soto and Ronald Acuña Jr in PSA 10 are steady sellers between $100-500 as well.
When it comes to what specific cards are moving the fastest on eBay at any given time, the answer often comes down to which current or recent players are having All-Star caliber seasons that spark new collector interest. In 2021, cards of Shohei Ohtani were in high demand all year long as he put together an unprecedented two-way MVP campaign. PSA 10 examples of his Topps Chrome rookie card sold for over $1,000 regularly. Similarly, rookie cards of 2019 first overall pick Adley Rutschman spiked in 2022 after his breakout MLB debut that year.
While the ultra high-end cards will always be the most expensive baseball cards to sell on eBay, there are plenty of affordable collector’s items to be found as well. Whether it’s a $10 common from the 1950s, a $100 modern rookie, or a $1 million Mickey Mantle, eBay provides collectors and investors a lively marketplace to trade all manner of beloved baseball cards. With new stars emerging and old legends appreciating in value every year, the hottest cards on eBay are always changing.
