Baseball and football cards are a fun hobby for many people to collect. Some cards are worth significantly more money than others depending on their condition, player, year, and other factors. If you have a large collection of old cards, it’s worth taking the time to look through and evaluate which ones could potentially be worth a good deal of money. Here are some tips on baseball and football cards that could be worth significant value.
Rookie cards for star players tend to be the most valuable. For baseball, some of the top rookie cards that can fetch high prices include Mickey Mantle (1952 Topps, PSA 10), Mike Trout (2009 Bowman Chrome Draft Picks & Prospects Superfractor, BGS 9.5), Ken Griffey Jr. (1989 Upper Deck, PSA 10), and Fernando Tatis (1981 Topps, PSA 10). For football, highly sought after rookie cards include Tom Brady (2000 Playoff Contenders Championship Rookie /100, BGS 9.5), Joe Montana (1979 Topps, PSA 8), Patrick Mahomes (2017 Bowman Chrome Draft Picks & Prospects Superfractor, BGS 9.5), and Odell Beckham Jr (2014 Panini National Treasures RPA /10, BGS 9.5).
Low print run cards and serially numbered parallels can also carry huge price tags. Examples include Shohei Ohtani 2018 Bowman Chrome Superfractor /1, which sold for over $900,000, and a Tom Brady 2000 Playoff Contenders Championship Autograph /100 which went for over $400,000. Rare serially numbered inserts like Mike Trout 2009 Bowman Sterling Prospects Purple Refractor /50 or Joe Montana 1981 Topps Tiffany /130 can sell for tens of thousands as well. The lower the print run, generally the higher the value, all other factors being equal.
Autograph cards tend to demand big premiums over regular issue cards. Having the card autographed adds another layer of authenticity and rarity. Some examples of autographed rookie cards that have sold for six figures include a Mike Trout 2009 Bowman Draft Chrome Autograph BGS 9.5 ($922,500), Patrick Mahomes 2017 National Treasures RPA Auto BGS 9.5 ($861,000), and a Tom Brady 2000 Playoff Contenders Championship Autograph BGS 9 ($387,500). Dual autograph cards can be even rarer, like a Brady/Moss dual auto from 2003 Finest /10 that sold for over $250,000.
Vintage cards from the early years of both sports can carry tremendous value as well, especially in high grades. Some examples include a Honus Wagner 1909-11 T206 tobacco card PSA Authentic ($3.12 million), Mickey Mantle 1952 Topps PSA 8 ($312,000), Joe DiMaggio 1951 Bowman PSA 8 ($375,000), and a Jim Brown 1957 Topps rookie PSA 8 ($93,600). These cards are over 60-80 years old yet can still look stunningly fresh in high PSA or BGS grades of 8 or above. Their age, historical significance, and condition all factor greatly into their value.
Ex-NFL star cards can also hold value. For example, a rare Lawrence Taylor 1981 Topps rookie PSA 9 recently sold for $72,000. Other sought after retired NFL stars include Jerry Rice, Walter Payton, and Joe Montana. Their rookie and star cards from the 1980s can be worth thousands in top condition. More contemporary stars like Patrick Mahomes, Aaron Rodgers, and Josh Allen will likely follow a similar trajectory as they near retirement with top cards appreciating over time.
Condition is absolutely critical for card value. The difference between a PSA/BGS 8.5 and a 9.5 can be tens of thousands of dollars. Always have valuable cards professionally graded by PSA, BGS, SGC or other reputable third party authenticators to ensure the grade is protected. Raw ungraded cards are risky as condition can be subjective. Also watch for counterfeits, as fake cards have become more sophisticated. Stick to slabs from the major graders to avoid this risk.
Team sets and oddball inserts can also hold hidden value. Complete team sets like the 1954 Topps set or 1987 Topps Traded NFL set in high condition can sell for five figures. Rare oddball inserts from the 1990s and 2000s like 1997 Finest Refractors, 1998 Bowman’s Best refractors, or 2000 Playoff Contenders Championship autographs have cult followings and appreciate nicely too. Do your research beyond just the biggest star rookies.
Vintage stars, low print runs, autographed cards, and cards in pristine condition have the highest odds of being worth significant money down the road. Take the time to carefully evaluate your collection and consider having valuable finds professionally graded. With patience and some luck, you may have a hidden baseball or football card treasure that could fund a nice retirement one day. Just make sure to store everything safely in a temperature controlled environment away from direct sunlight to preserve condition long term.
