Aaron Judge has quickly become one of the biggest stars in Major League Baseball since making his debut with the New York Yankees in 2016. The towering right fielder’s combination of power, speed, defense, and clutch hitting has made him a fan favorite in the Bronx. Unsurprisingly, Judge’s rising star power has also translated to increased interest and value in his rookie baseball cards from his debut season.

While most rookie cards from 2016 are still relatively affordable on the secondary market, some of Judge’s prized rookie cards have seen exponential price increases in recent years that reflect his superstar status. Cards like his Topps Chrome Refractor rookie, Bowman Chrome prospects card, and Topps Series 1 base rookie are some of his most sought-after and valuable cards today. For serious card collectors and investors, owning an authentic, high-grade example of one of Aaron Judge’s elite rookie cards has become a very sound long-term hold.

Let’s take a closer look at some of Aaron Judge’s top rookie cards from 2016 and explore what they are currently selling for in the collecting marketplace:

2016 Topps Chrome Aaron Judge Refractor RC (#’d /199): This is widely considered Judge’s flagship rookie card due to its rarity, shiny refractor design, and iconic Topps brand. High-grade PSA 10 examples of this card in recent years have sold for $10,000+. Even well-centered PSA 9 copies can fetch $3,000-$5,000. Lower-grade copies still sell for $500-1000 depending on condition.

2016 Bowman Chrome Aaron Judge Prospects RC (#’d /499): As one of Judge’s lowest printed prospects cards, the Bowman Chrome holds cache with card investors. PSA 10s have sold for $6,000+, while PSA 9s go for $2,000-4,000. Even raw near-mint copies sell in the $500-1000 range. This remains one of Judge’s most coveted rookie cards.

2016 Topps Series 1 Aaron Judge Base RC: As his most widely available base rookie due to the large print run of Series 1, this card is still a key piece for any Judge PC. High-grade PSA 10s have recently sold for $800-1200. PSA 9s go for $300-500 and PSA 8s can be found for under $200. Even raw near-mint copies sell in the $50-100 range.

2016 Topps Series 2 Aaron Judge Base RC: The Series 2 card carries a slightly lower print run vs. the Series 1 and is thus more valuable for collectors. PSA 10s have sold for $400-600 in recent years, PSA 9s go for $150-250, and PSA 8s can be found for under $100. Raw near-mint copies sell in the $25-50 range.

2016 Topps Allen & Ginter Aaron Judge Mini RC: The mini card parallel from A&G holds appeal due to its unique vertical design. PSA 10s have sold for $300-500, PSA 9s go for $100-200, and PSA 8s sell in the $50-75 range. Even raw near-mint copies sell for $10-25.

2016 Topps Gallery Aaron Judge Canvas RC: The high-end Gallery set features unique “canvas” style cards that are popular with collectors. PSA 10s have recently sold for $250-400, PSA 9s go for $100-200, and PSA 8s sell in the $50-75 range. Raw near-mint copies can be found for $10-25.

While Aaron Judge has other notable rookie cards from 2016 releases like Topps Heritage, Topps Opening Day, Topps Archives, etc., the cards profiled above represent his most iconic and valuable rookie cards on the secondary market today according to recent sales data. It’s very possible that as Judge continues having more All-Star caliber seasons and chasing the Yankees’ single season home run record, the prices of his prized rookie cards could potentially double or triple again over the next few years. For serious card investors, an authenticated PSA 10 example of Judge’s Topps Chrome Refractor RC in particular could prove to be one of the best long-term sports memorabilia investments made in the modern era.

In summary, Aaron Judge has quickly emerged as a true superstar for the Yankees franchise and one of the most popular players in baseball. Not surprisingly, the top rookie cards from his breakout 2016 season have seen tremendous price increases that reflect his rising star power. For avid collectors and investors, owning a high-grade example of Judge’s most coveted rookie cards presents an excellent opportunity for appreciation should his career trajectory continue upwards. As one of the game’s new faces, Aaron Judge memorabilia like his prized rookie baseball cards are poised to become even more valuable with each new accomplishment.