One of the most popular collecting hobbies is baseball cards. While many common cards can be purchased for under $1, some of the rarest, most sought after cards can sell for hundreds of thousands or even millions of dollars. Here is a look at some of the most expensive baseball cards ever sold and what makes them so valuable.

1909-11 T206 Honus Wagner – $6.6 million
The highest selling baseball card of all time is also one of the most iconic, the 1909-11 T206 Honus Wagner. This card is exceptionally rare as Wagner asked the American Tobacco Company to withdraw his card from production as he did not want to promote tobacco to children. It’s estimated only 50-200 examples still exist today in various conditions. In August 2021, a PSA Mint 9 example sold at auction for a record $6.6 million, making it by far the most valuable baseball card. Its perfect mixture of rarity, condition, and subject make it the cardinal standard of high-end baseball cards.

1952 Topps Mickey Mantle – $5.2 million
Another record holder is the Mickey Mantle rookie card from the 1952 Topps set. As one of the most storied players of all time, Mantle’s rookie is the key card for any vintage baseball collection. In January 2021, a PSA Mint 9 example sold for $5.2 million, making it the highest price ever paid for a Mantle rookie at auction. Some key issues for Mantle rookies include poor centering, soft corners, and overall condition as the cardboard stock was not as sturdy as later years. Finding high graded examples has become exceedingly difficult.

1909-11 T206 Sherry Magee – $3.12 million
While not a true “star” like Wagner or Mantle, the T206 Sherry Magee still managed an astonishing price due to its rarity and condition. Like the Wagner, only a small number are believed to still exist, with just a handful in high grades. In August 2015, a PSA NM-MT 8 sold for a record $3.12 million, reflecting strong demand and competition for iconic early 20th century tobacco cards in top condition. Most T206 cards are worth thousands to tens of thousands in lower grades too.

1909-11 T206 Nap Lajoie – $1.56 million
The T206 set produced some true stars but also captured accomplished players of the era like Nap Lajoie. Highly regarded as both a skillful hitter and defensive second baseman, Lajoie’s career included five batting titles and a spot in the Hall of Fame. In August 2016, a PSA EX 5 example hammered for $1.56 million, showing the financial power rare pre-WWI cards still hold today despite containing more “obscure” subjects relative to superstars. Condition is critical, as lower grades would be worth far less.

2003 Exquisite Jordan Baseball Ronaldo Clemente /500 – $1.265 million
While most cards on this list date back 100+ years, modern subsets and parallels can generate big prices too. In 2003, Exquisite released an insert set featuring NBA star Michael Jordan alongside notable baseball players. A parallel version featuring Ronaldo Clemente /500 sold for a record $1.265 million in September 2021, in large part due to its low serial number and parallel status alongside the legendary Clemente. This demonstrated that novel, low-printed cards honoring iconic figures can find an audience.

1961 Topps Roger Maris – $657,250
One of the most significant baseball cards ever made, Roger Maris’ rookie card from 1961 Topps became highly desirable not long after issue due to Maris breaking Babe Ruth’s single season home run record. Graded PSA 8, one example sold for $657,250 in August 2020, reflecting the card’s powerful subject, historical significance, and desirable mid-range condition. While Maris had an otherwise unremarkable career at face value, breaking this hallowed record cemented his rookie’s place in collectibles history.

1909-11 T206 Christy Mathewson – $683,375
One of the all-time great pitchers of the deadball era, “Big Six” Christy Mathewson is an intrinsic part of baseball history. Desirable copies of his classic T206 card are predictably valuable but rare in pristine condition today. An PSA NM-MT 8 grade example shattered expectations in August 2021 to sell for $683,375, showing the high six-figure market for this storied pitching star over 100 years after his famous playing days. Pristine T206s from star pitchers will always be sought after trophies.

2003 Exquisite Michael Jordan Baseball /99 – $380,000
The 2003 Exquisite Michael Jordan Baseball parallel remains one of the most captivating modern crossover baseball/basketball cards. Featuring His Airness posing in a White Sox uniform, serial numbered versions 1-99 generated immense hype. In November 2021, an attractive PSA 10 copy at #34 brought $380,000, underlining the Jordan brand’s continued pull nearly 20 years later. Condition sensitive due to the parallel’s low print run, pristine Jordan baseball cards will continue demanding top dollar.

1909-11 T206 Ed Walsh – $257,100
While lesser known now than famous T206 contemporaries, “Big Ed” Walsh was among the American League’s biggest pitching talents in the early 1900s, claiming two 40-win seasons and three ERA titles. Few desirable examples of his rookie card were produced, making even high grade copies scarce. At auction in August 2021, a stunning PSA NM-MT 8 brought seven figures ($257,100) showing how rare, highest quality T206s from pivotal pre-war players excite today’s market. Walsh’s rookie may become better known over time.

2003 Exquisite LeBron James – $241,450
Although still active, LeBron James’ iconic 2003 Exquisite rookie has already become an expensive commodity. With a mere 99 copies produced just as James entered the league as an 18 year old phenom, this early parallel previewed his future greatness. A low serial #7 example in PSA 10 condition eclipsed over $241,000 in November 2021. While not a traditional baseball card and subject, this contemporary parallel displays how novel issues can accrue value focusing on all-time talents at the height of their powers.

1954 Topps Roberto Clemente – $177,900
Legendary Pirates outfielder Roberto Clemente tragically passed too soon in a 1972 plane crash at age 38, memorializing his iconic mustache and toothy grin smiling from Topps cards of the late 1950s/early 60s. His 1954 Topps rookie is highly coveted by collectors, and a pristine PSA 8.5 recently sold in August 2021 for $177,900. While not quite the household name of mantles or mays, Clemente was arguably baseball’s first Latino superstar, earning admiration and enhancing the value of his early cards.

1977 O-Pee-Chee Wayne Gretzky RC – $150,000
Unlike the primarily baseball focused cards above, the 1977 O-Pee-Chee Wayne Gretzky Hockey rookie made our list for establishing a record price for hockey cards back in 2016. Serving as “The Great One’s” true rookie issue in the hobby, a high-grade PSA 9 copy generated $150,000, underscoring how all-time talents from other sports can excite collectors too. Gretzky went on to reshape hockey and became an icon recognized well beyond the ice. His iconic rookie remains the benchmark.

1909-11 T206 Christy Mathewson PSA 1 – $117,000
To complete the overview of some of history’s most expensive cards would be remiss without including how even low-grade examples from the T206 era can still be quite valuable. A well-worn PSA 1 example of Mathewson’s famed tobacco card, devoid of image but surviving intact, achieved an impressive $117,000 back in August 2021. While not the finest specimen, it served as a reminder that any surviving relic from the game’s early 20th century golden age holds intrinsic worth.

This covers some of the headline cards that have achieved record prices or otherwise help define the hobby’s upper echelon. As always, condition and star power drive value, whether referring to 110 year old tobacco issues or modern parallels. Significant rookie cards, rare variants and all-time great subjects will likely remain blue-chip investments. Meanwhile, cards recognizing overlooked pioneers may also see renewed appreciation in the decades to come. The collecting world will keenly watch which new record breakers emerge to join this elite tier of most expensive baseball cards.