When it comes to building an impressive sports card collection, there are few brands as iconic and recognizable as Topps. Founded in 1938, Topps has been churning out baseball, football, basketball and other trading cards for generations of collectors. While the core Topps brand releasing annually each spring is the standard, over the years Topps has also released specialty insert sets and parallel lines under different brands and names.
One such Topps sub-brand is Diamond Kings, which launched in 2008 as a high-end insert set found one per pack or box of that year’s Topps flagship release. The concept behind Diamond Kings was to create stunning artist renditions of star players modeled after classic baseball paintings in a polished chrome finish. While base Diamond Kings from the early years hold value primarily due to rarity and condition, there are several individual cards that routinely earn top dollar when they surface for sale. Here’s a closer look at five of the most valuable Diamond Kings baseball cards on the market today.
1991 Ken Griffey Jr. Diamond Kings Patch Auto – PSA 10
Widely considered the pièce de résistance of Diamond Kings collection, the 1991 Ken Griffey Jr. is among the true holy grails. Autograph cards were rare enough in 2008, but one featuring a true game-worn jersey swatch is nearly unheard of. There are believed to be only three of these in existence, with the lone PSA 10 example to ever cross an auction bring an astonishing $34,750 back in 2020. Its stunning mix of artwork, autograph, and rare patch make this the most prized Diamond Kings possession.
1996 Derek Jeter Diamond Kings Auto – PSA 10
Few players capture the imagination of collectors like Derek Jeter, and his 1996 Diamond Kings auto ranks right up there. While subject cards tend to fetch high sums, getting one with Jeter’s iconic signature in pristine condition is another thing entirely. A PSA 10 example sold for $8,250 in early 2021, showing the sustained demand for one of the cleanest representations of an all-time great in the hobby. Scarcity ensures this will only gain more value with time.
2009 Mike Trout Diamond Kings Auto RC – PSA 10
It’s no secret that 2009 Mike Trout rookies have ascended to a place among the most investment-worthy modern sports cards. As one of the lowest Trout auto serial numbers around at /99, this Diamond Kings version represents a truly elite prize for any collector. Backed by over a decade of MVP-caliber performance, a PSA 10 copy recently sold for an eye-popping $13,450. Expect Trout cards across brands to continue appreciating rapidly as long as he’s producing at the plate.
2006 Albert Pujols Diamond Kings Auto – PSA 10
A surefire first-ballot Hall of Famer, Pujols’ career milestones make virtually any of his cards very appealing long term holds. This 2006 Diamond Kings auto captures him in the midst of his many great Cardinals seasons and was part of one of the brand’s lower serial numbered variations at /99. One example in pristine condition changed hands for $7,275 in late 2020, showing there’s big demand still for a star from baseball’s recent “Steroid Era.”
1990 Barry Bonds Diamond Kings Auto – PSA 10
Despite some blemishes to his reputation later in life, during his early Pirates tenure Barry Bonds was one of the game’s most electric young talents. His1990 Diamond Kings auto represents one of the earliest examples from the insert set honoring that ascendant career. Scarcity plus being among the first major stars featured makes this a true key card, with a PSA 10 example hitting $6,150 at auction in early 2021. For premier condition rare autographs, it’s tough to beat.
While values have grown substantially for elite Diamond Kings pieces in recent years, the market is still quite young relative to vintage cardboard. As more players enshrine their legacies in Cooperstown and others continue setting new benchmarks, the top cards from this premium insert series figure to become even more highly coveted. For the true elite, prices seem poised to climb indefinitely with time. Whether being added to an existing PC or started from scratch, collecting the best Diamond Kings is a strategy sure to pay dividends in an evolving hobby.
