Two of the most coveted and expensive baseball cards are twins from the 1909-11 T206 tobacco card series produced by the American Tobacco Company – the Honus Wagner and Eddie Plank cards. Both are premier examples of early 20th century baseball memorabilia and occupy a rarefied air in the collectibles world.
The 1909-11 T206 set is hailed as one of the most historic and iconic issues in the history of sports cards. Produced as incentives to boost tobacco sales and distributed one per package, the 524 total cards featured active major leaguers, hall of famers, and baseball greats at the time playing for the National and American Leagues. Of this immense set, it’s estimated only about 50 authentic Honus Wagner cards still exist today in varying conditions, making them among the most sought after collectibles on the planet.
The reason for the extreme scarcity and value of the Honus Wagner card stems from rumors that the Pittsburgh Pirates shortstop and Hall of Famer did not wish to promote the use of tobacco, which was significantly more popular at the turn of the 20th century than modern times. As such, it’s believed American Tobacco Company quickly pulled the highly popular player’s card from production after only a small number had been distributed, enhancing both its mystery and status as the “mona lisa” of sports cards ever since.
In 2021, Goldin Auctions sold a PSA NM-MT 8 Wagner for a record-shattering $6.6 million, the highest publicly reported price ever paid for a single card. Even well-worn low-grade Examples in PSA 1-3 condition can fetch six-figure sums. The spectacular rarity and fame of the card has elevated it to an iconic collectible coveted by the richest investors, celebrities, and pop culture figures globally.
While not quite as scarce as the Honus Wagner, Eddie Plank’s T206 card carries its own prestige and value as one of only a handful of examples known to exist. Like Wagner, Plank was a star pitcher of the early 1900s, winning 304 games over 16 seasons mainly with the Philadelphia Athletics. Similar to rumors surrounding Wagner pulling his card, it’s believed Plank likewise objected to his image promoting tobacco.
As such, his T206 card has survived in exceptionally low quantities, with cigarette cards of Plank also exceptionally rare. Even fewer Plank cards remain in high grades like Wagner. In 2016, a PSA NM-MT 8 Plank sold for an astounding $655,250, showing the card’s status among the most valuable in the T206 set and all of sports memorabilia. Mint examples that grade PSA 8 or above are simply unlikely to ever become available, as most preserved copies hold values well into the six-figure range.
While the numbers are nowhere near as limited as Wagner or Plank, several other T206 cards have achieved impressive values based on the players’ fame and the card’s rarity in high grades. Honus Wagner’s Pirate teammates and Hall of Famers Tommy Leach and Deacon White also have cards highly regarded by collectors. In 2010, a PSA 8 White sold for $93,000, while a PSA 8 Leach reached $63,750 in 2017.
The “Big Four” of T206 pitching aces – Ed Walsh, Mordecai “Three Finger” Brown, Ed Reulbach and Rube Waddell – possess cards that can reach or surpass $50,000 in top condition as well. Walsh especially is notable as the dominant workhorse of the 1900s and first pitcher to win 20 games four years in a row. His colorful variations, which portrayed him with a decidedly different appearance or uniform than his typical self, have reached above $30,000 individually.
Other T206 notables like Christy Mathewson, Ty Cobb, Walter Johnson, and Nap Lajoie regularly sell in the low five-figure range when grading 7 or higher. Even common players appear valuable in high grades, as a PSA 8 Jack Powell recently sold for $11,000 simply due to its superior state of preservation.
While the Honus Wagner and Eddie Plank remain the undisputed kings of T206 collectibles, the iconic tobacco issue featured dozens of true legends that still enchant modern fans over a century later. Examples that withstand the test of time in high quality remain exceptionally challenging to find, meaning retained samples become even more significant historical artifacts with potentially growing worth. As one of the earliest widespread sports card sets, the T206 cards will always maintain a special place at the origins of the collectibles industry.
The 1909-11 T206 Honus Wagner and Eddie Plank baseball cards are two of the most valuable in the world due to their immense rarity, legendary subjects, and status as pioneers of the modern trading card era. Fewer than 50 authentic Wagners are believed to exist, with mint Examples valued into the multiple millions. Meanwhile, the Plank possesses its own distinction as one of the most coveted singles in the monumental T206 set. Along with several other stellar subjects, they continue to fascinate collectors over a century after their production, cementing the cards as iconic representatives of early 20th century baseball history.
