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HIGHEST PRICED BASEBALL CARDS 2023

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The hobby of collecting baseball cards has been popular for over 150 years and is a multi-billion dollar industry. As with any collectible, the rarest and most coveted cards command the highest prices on the market. While prices constantly fluctuate based on supply and demand, here are some of the baseball cards that have consistently sold for record prices throughout 2023 so far.

The highest priced baseball card of all time is the 1909-11 T206 Honus Wagner, considered the rarest and most iconic card in the hobby. Only around 60 authentic T206 Wagners are known to exist today in various grades of condition. In January 2023, gold-standard grading company PSA sold one of these rare cards in a PSA-graded MINT 9 condition for an astounding $6.6 million through auction house Sotheby’s. While the Wagner will likely never be topped, it sets the gold standard for what truly rarefind high-grade vintage cards can sell for.

The second highest baseball card price achieved in 2023, and the all-time record for a modern card, was the sale of a 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle PSA GEM MINT 10 in February for $12.6 million also through Sotheby’s. The Mantle is incredibly scarce in the pristine GEM MT 10 grade and considered the finest quality example in existence. With its iconic subject, the 1952 Topps design is also regarded as one of the most aesthetically pleasing in hobby history making high-grade examples like this extremely desirable for serious collectors.

Showing it can compete with vintage rarities, a rare 2009 Bowman Chrome Draft Prospects Autographs Blue Refractor 1/1 of superstar Mike Trout sold in June 2023 for $3.93 million through Goldin Auctions. As a one-of-a-kind autographed rookie card issued before Trout’s huge success, it is arguably the most valuable Mike Trout card available. Trout has proven himself as perhaps the greatest player of this generation, and holdings of his early cards stand to gain even more value as his career and accomplishments continue to cement his legend status.

The most expensive modern card of 2023 prior to the Trout was a case hit 1/1 autograph red refractory of Los Angeles Angels superstar Shohei Ohtani from 2021 Bowman’s Best. It achieved $3.36 million in July through Goldin, showing Ohtani mania has fully taken hold with collectors. As a two-way phenom not seen since the deadball era, Ohtani collectors are willing to pay top dollar for his rarest rookie cards issued before he won the AL MVP award in 2021. With continued success, the price for 1/1 Ohtani’s is sure to keep rising rapidly.

For vintage cards, a 1919 Eddie Plank Batter-Up Tobacco Card in a PSA EX-MT 4 condition reached $2.88 million in May through SCP Auctions. The Plank is one of the most visually striking and iconic tobacco era cards, with only a small number believed to remain in existence across all grades. Condition above a 5 is exceedingly rare to encounter after over 100 years of surviving the elements, so high grade examples like this are prized among advanced collectors.

In September, Goldin sold an ultra-rare 1914 Baltimore News Babe Ruth tobacco card reputed as the earliest known Major League issued Ruth card for an astounding $2.46 million. Not much is known about the 1914 Baltimore News set and fewer than 10 are thought to exist in any condition. With the card having an imprint of “Ruth” at the bottom, it is believed the future Sultan of Swat was still playing minor league ball in Baltimore when this image was taken. As one of the first appearances of a true sports icon like Babe Ruth, it set records for the earliest issued Ruth card.

Further showing demand for vintage stars, a 1909-11 T206 Sherry Magee PSA EX-MT 5 sold in August through SCP Auctions for $2.1 million. Magee was a premier slugger of the deadball era and star on some great Philadelphia Phillies clubs. With a population under 20 high grade examples known, his T206 is a supreme rarity that gained additional value by being offered fresh to the market in an intact high grade state without restoration. It represented a huge price for a non-Wagner T206.

Rounding out the top ten is a 1957 Topps Mickey Mantle PSA GEM-MT 10 that achieved $2.04 million in a November Goldin sale. Beyond its superior state of preservation, the ’57 design is considered one of Mantle’s most aesthetically appealing and iconic cards issued during his playing days. With demand sky high for rare perfect condition examples of The Mick’s classic cards, this realized an impressive sum.

While the ultra-rare Honus Wagner will likely hold the all-time record indefinitely, the prices seen for other vintage and modern rookie cards in 2023 prove the market remains incredibly robust. Cards featuring legendary players like Mantle, Ruth, Trout and Ohtani will consistently set new records as long as just a few pristine examples remain in the strict highest grades. For dedicated collectors, buying fresh to the population cards of today’s stars in top condition will be seen as sound investments that stand to gain great value as those athletes’ careers progress. Condition is king, and the rarest 1/1s will always demand million dollar bids – showing the continued strength of the baseball card collecting hobby.

HIGHEST PRICED 1993 TOPPS BASEBALL CARDS

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The 1993 Topps baseball card set marked the start of a new era in the modern trading card industry. While 1983 Topps rookie cards of future Hall of Famers like Kirby Puckett and Dwight Gooden remain highly coveted, 1993 introduced collectors to a new generation of players who would go on to achieve baseball immortality. Not surprisingly, some of the priciest cards from the ’93 Topps set feature rookies and prospects who vastly exceeded expectations. Three decades later, these rare and valuable specimens continue to attract serious hobbyists and investors.

Leading the way is the crown jewel of any ’93 Topps collection – the ultra-short printed Ken Griffey Jr. rookie card. Widely considered one of the most iconic baseball cards ever made, Griffey’s debut is the undisputed king of the set. Only 110 copies are known to exist in mint condition, making it exceedingly difficult to find in high grades. As “The Kid” went on to slam 630 career home runs and capture numerous awards and accolades, demand and prices for his rookie skyrocketed. In Gem Mint (GM) 10 condition, Griffey’s Topps rookie has sold for as much as $347,500, while PSA 9 copies still command five figures.

Even more than Griffey, the ’93 Topps Chipper Jones rookie card signifies the start of an impressive career that is still unfolding. A future Hall of Famer still active at age 48, Jones continues adding to his impressive resume as the longtime Atlanta Braves third baseman and perennial All-Star. Like Griffey, only a small number of Chipper’s first card were printed and fewer still grade perfectly. As one of the truest “one-card” Hall of Fame rookie careers, PSA 10 Jones rookies bring upwards of $175,000 at auction. Even heavily played copies still sell for thousands.

While not rookies, the ’93 Derek Jeter and Darryl Strawberry cards are modern short prints that also enjoy immense demand. Both were established stars by 1993, but their respective storylines make each highly valuable. As a beloved hometown hero for the New York Yankees, interest in Jeter remained strong throughout his career. His ’93 Short Print is one of just 19 copies certified PSA 10, selling for over $40,000. Meanwhile, Strawberry’s struggles with substance abuse are well documented – at the time of his ’93 issue, it was uncertain if he’d overcome personal demons to continue playing. The short printed version alludes to that uncertainty and is a hot commodity for Strawberry collectors, selling in the $8,000-$10,000 range.

Perhaps the most fundamentally “valuable” card from the 1993 Topps set belongs to none other than Mr. October himself – Reggie Jackson. As one of the true “balls of flame” from the legendary ’93 design, Jackson’s high-number issue is a huge fan favorite. Not in the basic set, it was only inserted late in production, making pristine copies scarce. In a PSA 10 gem, the fiery Jackson ball recently sold for $37,500, proving its staying power as a true icon of the era. Other elite power hitters like Hall of Famers Barry Bonds ($4,000 PSA 10), Frank Thomas ($3,000 PSA 10), and Mark McGwire ($3,000 PSA 10) also demand top dollar from ’93 Topps collectors.

While not eclipsing the star power of rookie cards, key short prints from the 1993 Topps set hold significant collector value as well. The Derek Bell short print ranks high on want lists, with PSA 10’s reaching $8,000 at auction. Fellow outfielders Marquis Grissom and Moises Alou also have coveted short printed variants worth $3,500-$5,000 in top condition. Hall of Fame bound third baseman Craig Biggio has an ultra-short printed “Starpower” parallel that recently sold for $4,500 in PSA 10. Even bench players like Dave Magadan and Mark Grace command $1,000-$2,000 in pristine condition due to their limited print runs.

Beyond on-card performances, autographs and memorabilia cards from 1993 Topps hold substantial secondary market value. An autographed Chipper Jones rookie has reached over $20,000. Signed Derek Jeter rookies sell anywhere from $5,000 to $10,000 depending on the quality of the autograph. Swatches and patches featuring star players are also enormously popular. A 1993 Topps Finest Refractor #144 Ken Griffey Jr. jersey card sold for $41,250. Other coveted “hits” include a Chipper Jones Prime Cuts Jersey card (#90) that fetched $7,875 and a Frank Thomas Prime Cuts Jersey card (#109) that sold for $3,000.

As one of the true modern classics in the world of sports cards, 1993 Topps endures as a set where some cards gained exponentially in value alongside iconic careers. Three decades later, specimens featuring Hall of Fame talents like Griffey, Jones, Jeter, and Jackson continue shattering records when they cross the auction block. While not all mid-90s issue cards have aged so well, the true gems from ’93 Topps represent some of the most elite and valuable cardboard collectibles money can buy. In an ever-changing market, the crown jewels from this pivotal set will assuredly retain their luster for decades to come.

HIGHEST PRICED 90S BASEBALL CARDS

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The 1990s were a transformative decade for the baseball card industry. While the junk wax era of the late 80s saturated the market with mass produced cards of even the most obscure players, in the 90s the industry began to bounce back with riskier print runs and a renewed collector interest focused on stars and rookie cards. This led to several modern cards achieving record prices that still stand today. Below we explore some of the most expensive and coveted baseball cards produced in the 1990s.

The highest priced card from the decade is undoubtedly the famous 1997 Bowman’s Best Refractor 1st Edition Michael Jordan card. As one of the rarest Jordan basketball cards ever produced, with multiple refractor parallels and a retro design paying homage to his time playing minor league baseball, this card started gaining huge attention from collectors in the 2010s. In 2021, a PSA Gem Mint 10 graded copy sold for an astounding $2.7 million, making it the most valuable trading card ever sold. While not a traditional baseball card, its rarity and tie to Jordan’s baseball past still make it worth mentioning among the decade’s priciest cards.

Sticking strictly to cards featuring current or future major leaguers, the top card is a rare 1996 Metal Universe Ken Griffey Jr. refractor parallel. Often cited as the holy grail of 90s cards, these refractors were inserted at an incredibly low rate, with only a handful believed to exist in pristine condition. In 2018, a PSA 10 graded copy shattered records by selling for over $350,000. Griffey was already one of the era’s biggest stars as a two-time AL MVP, and his rookie cards from 1989 Upper Deck and Fleer were highly sought after, but none have approached the value of this ultra-rare refractor parallel.

Speaking of rookie cards, no 1990s issue commanded higher sums than the coveted 1975 Topps Cal Ripken Jr. rookie. While Ripken debuted in 1981, Topps made the prescient decision in 1975 to include minor leaguers in their sets, providing fans a first glimpse of future Hall of Famers like Ripken before they made the majors. In near-gem to gem condition, this iconic rookie has sold for up to $186,000. Ripken would go on to break Lou Gehrig’s legendary consecutive games played record and cement his place as one of the most respected players of all-time, making any of his early cards especially sought after collectibles.

The 1998 SP Authentic Jeff Bagwell jersey card holds the record as the highest valued non-rookie card for the decade after selling for $99,763 in 2017. Rather than your typical on-card photo, this innovative parallel insert featured a swatch of an actual game-worn Bagwell Astros jersey. Bagwell was a four-time All-Star and MVP during his career, but this incredibly novel and one-of-a-kind card design fueled major interest from collectors. Only a few jersey cards were produced at most for each player, giving it both rarity and a true piece of on-field history in one package.

Another star third baseman whose cards provide consistent top prices is Chipper Jones. Highlights include his 1993 Pinnacle Gold Shield Precious Metal Gems Gold #17 parallel, which realized $75,000 in a PSA 10 gem mint state in 2011. Precious Metal Gems parallels were considered among the flagships insert sets inserted at approximately 1 per case back in the 90s. A 1997 Bowman’s Best Refractor parallel Jones rookie card is also prized, hitting $42,000 in a flawless grade. Jones dazzled National League hitters for 19 seasons and won the 1999 National League MVP, catapulting interest in his earliest collectibles.

For pitchers, the cream of the 1990s crop unsurprisingly belongs to Pedro Martinez. His 1998 Topps Traded baseball jersey parallel #T11 card, with an on-card swatch of one of the most dominant pitchers ever, holds the record price paid for any non-rookie Pedro card at $68,500. And his ultra-rare 1997 Fleer Flair Showcase Refractor Rookie/Star rookie parallel #SSR-PM is one of the holy grails of Martinez cardboard, with a PSA 10 copy selling for $65,000. Martinez dazzled fans and collectors alike during his peak years with the Red Sox and Expos, giving any early cards capturing his rise significant nostalgia and value.

Rounding out the top 10 highest 1990s baseball card sales, we have:

1997 Metal Universe Ken Griffey Jr. Refractor #32 – $63,000
1991 Topps Traded Ken Griffey Jr. #143T – $61,500
1996 Studio Ken Griffey Jr. Jersey #347 – $57,000
1995 Pinnacle Ken Griffey Jr. Gold Medallion #59 – $50,000
1993 SP Derek Jeter Rookie #646 – $49,000
1997 Bowman’s Best Refractors Chipper Jones Rc #BBR-CJ – $42,000
1992 Bowman Derek Jeter Rc #293 – $35,200
1997 Metal Universe Chipper Jones Refractor Rc #97 – $34,000
1993 Upper Deck Chipper Jones Rc #1 – $31,000

The 1990s saw astronomical prices emerge for ultra-rare Griffey, Ripken, Bagwell, Martinez, Jones and rookie Jeter cards, alongside innovation in jersey, refractor and parallel insert sets. For modern collectors, these cards remain some of the most desirable and valuable commodities in the hobby, retaining and growing their worth as testaments to some of the most legendary players in baseball history. While the junk wax era flooded the market, savvy collectibles companies realized concentrating rarer parallel prints on upcoming stars could produce true long-term blue chip investments.

HIGH PRICED BASEBALL CARDS

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Baseball cards have been a beloved part of American culture for over a century, sparking young imaginations and fueling collectors’ passions. While many low-value commons can be found in dollar stores and drug store racks, some of the rarest and most iconic cards command astronomical prices in the collecting marketplace. These premium specimens are treasured as works of art, celebrated for capturing pivotal baseball moments in miniature and representing the apex of a collector’s journey. Let’s explore some of the highest prices ever realized for some of the most coveted and notable baseball cards in existence.

Perhaps the most renowned card of all is the T206 Honus Wagner, widely considered the Mona Lisa of the hobby. Produced between 1909-1911 by the American Tobacco Company, it is perhaps the rarest sports card in the world with only 50-200 estimated to exist in various states of preservation. What makes it so desirable is the legendary shortstop Honus Wagner, who was one of the first five members elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame, asked the American Tobacco Company to cease production of his card as he disapproved of promotion of tobacco among youth. As a result, far fewer T206 Wagners were produced than any other card in the set and it has become the definitive treasure card sought by wealthy collectors for decades. In August 2021, a PSA Gem Mint 9 example shattered all records when it sold at auction for $6.6 million, making it not only the most expensive baseball card but trading card of any sport ever sold.

Another iconic card that has achieved million-dollar status is the 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle, widely considered the finest post-war rookie card produced. Like the Wagner, it captures an all-time great player on the verge of superstardom early in his career. In January 2021, a PSA 9 example sold for $5.2 million, reflecting Mantle’s legend and status as a revered New York Yankees icon who went on to win three MVPs and become a first-ballot Hall of Famer. While not as rare in circulation as the Wagner, high-grade Mantles are still extremely scarce today given normal wear and tear over 70 years. Its record price tag cemented its position alongside the T206 Wagner among the most prized pieces of cardboard in the collecting universe.

The 1933 Goudey Babe Ruth is another key early 20th century issue that has topped $1 million. In 1994, a PSA 2-condition copy reached $641,000 at auction, believed to be a record at the time for any card. Subsequently in August 2016, a PSA 8 realized $1.265 million at auction, again revealing the sustained demand for cards depicting “The Bambino” Babe Ruth in the early years of his legendary Boston/New York Yankees career. Widely viewed as one of the most attractive and iconic pre-war issues due to its dramatic gold borders and striking imagery of the Sultan of Swat, the 1933 Goudey Ruth endures as one of the true iconic cards highly sought after by seven- and eight-figure enthusiasts.

The 2009 Bowman Sterling Mike Trout rookie card also emerged as a modern gem, appreciated for capturing a once-in-a-generation superstar at the very outset of his storied career. Still just 25 years old at the time of issue, Trout went on to win three MVPs and cement his status as perhaps the greatest all-around player of his generation for the Los Angeles Angels. In 2021, a PSA 9 example crossed the $3.9 million threshold in private sale to become not only the most valuable modern card, but the costliest basketball, football or hockey card ever as well. Trout mania and belief in his surefire Hall of Fame induction sustained this record, proof that new stars continue to generate collecting frenzies rivaling those of the early 20th century legends.

Those are just a sampling of the most expensive baseball cards to date, but new milestones continue to be achieved as the market evolves. The 1909-11 T206 cards on the whole maintain their positions as the most valuable vintage issues, led by the iconic Wagner. But modern standouts like the Mantle and Trout rookies show that new generations of players yield new collecting legends appreciated at the highest financial levels. Other specimens that have crossed $1 million include the 1957 Topps Hank Aaron ($1.440 million) and 1913 Bacon Back Walter Johnson ($1.110 million), keeping early 20th century tobacco era issues highly favored at elite auction levels.

Of course, seven and eight-figure prices represent the absolute creme de la creme of the hobby reserved for showpiece trophies traded between ultra-wealthy collectors or institutions. But the broader hobby encompasses enthusiasts of all incomes and backgrounds united in appreciation of the history and art these cards represent. Whether spending $10 on a new rip or chasing vintage keys over decades, today’s collectors enjoy a thriving marketplace where the rewards of discovering and treasuring meaningful pieces of baseball history remain as strong as the games themselves. While unobtainable for most, headlines of record-shattering prices keep these most coveted cardboard pieces in the spotlight as the bullseye treasures that help define this quintessential American pursuit.