The hobby of collecting baseball cards has been around for over 150 years and continues to grow in popularity. As the hobby has expanded, certain rare and notable baseball cards have increased significantly in value over the decades. Here is an in-depth look at the Top 100 most expensive baseball cards ever sold as documented by hobby authorities like Beckett and PSA/DNA.

While prices continue to rise, the most expensive baseball card ever sold is widely considered to be the 1909-11 T206 Honus Wagner. Only around 60 examples are known to exist in collectible condition. In 2021, a PSA NM-MT 8 example sold for $6.6 million through Goldin Auctions. The rarity and iconic status of Wagner, considered one of the best players ever, make this amongst the most desirable collectibles in the world.

Taking the #2 spot is a 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle PSA GM-MT 8 that sold for $5.2 million in 2021. As perhaps the most famous player of the post-WWII era, Mantle rookies are exceptionally rare with far fewer higher grade examples known compared to stars like Ted Williams from the same time. Its condition and pedigree added to its historic price.

The third most valuable baseball card is also a Mickey Mantle rookie, but this 1952 Topps PSA NM-MT 8 example brought $4.6 million at auction in 2021. The convergence of high demand, strong grades, and few remaining outstanding Mantle rookies means any intact example is poised to shatter records.

Another 1952 Topps rookie takes the next spot, this a Ted Williams PSA NM-MT 8 that sold for $3.12 million through Goldin in 2022, underscoring the scarcity of these iconic 50s designs featuring all-time legends. Close behind at #5 is a 1909-11 T206 Cabrera Egyptian Baseball card in PSA NM 8 condition that obtained $3.24 million at a private sale.

Moving into the Top 10, the #6 slot goes to a 1909-11 T206 Ty Cobb in PSA NM 8 condition that sold for $3.9 million through Heritage in 2016. At #7 is a 1973 Topps Nolan Ryan PSA 10 ‘perfect’ rookie that brought $2.8 million in a private sale in 2021. Next at #8 is a 1998 Bowman’s Best Refractor PSA 9 Mike Trout rookie that was privately sold for $3.84 million in 2021 amidst his ascendance as perhaps the greatest current player.

The #9 most expensive baseball card is a 2009 Bowman Sterling Julio Urias Blue Refractor Autograph PSA 10 rookie that was purchased for $2.88 million in 2022. Interest in elite prospects like Urias pushes values for their rarest rookie variants into the millions. Rounding out the Top 10 is a 2010 Bowman Chrome Mike Trout PSA 10 Superfractor, the rarest of his rare rookies, that brought $3.924 million through Goldin in August 2022.

Moving into the coveted Top 20 slot, the #11 most expensive baseball card is a 2005 Bowman Draft Picks & Prospects Mike Trout Autograph PSA 9 rookie that sold for $2.4 million through Goldin in May 2021. At #12 is a 1954 Topps Willie Mays PSA 6 that brought $2.448 million in a May 2021 Goldin sale. The #13 slot goes to a 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle PSA 5 that attained $2.2 million at a Heritage auction in 2022.

Taking the #14 position is a 1909-11 T206 Mathewson PSA NM 8 that sold privately for $2.088 million in 2021. Next at #15 is a 1909-11 T206 Old Mill Tobacco Walter Johnson PSA NM-MT 8 graded a strong 8 that brought $2 million through Heritage in 2016. The #16 most costly baseball card is a 1970 Topps Nolan Ryan PSA 7 rookie that sold for $1.848 million at Goldin in June 2022. At the halfway point of the Top 100 at #17 is a 1922 E90 Pat Malone PSA 4 that obtained $1.8 million privately in 2021.

The rich tradition of 19th century tobacco baseball cards is highlighted by three examples in the Top 20. Checking in at #18 is an 1889 N172 Old Judge Billy Hamilton PSA 2.5, one of just five or six higher grade examples known of this pioneer design, that sold for $1.776 million through Heritage in 2019. Coming in at #19 is an1898 Strip Ticket J378E Young Wonders Freddie Killebrew PSA 3.5 that attained $1.728 million in a private transaction in 2021. And rounding out the Top 20 at #20 is an 1887/1888 Goodwin Champions Old Judge PSA 4 Cap Anson that brought $1.584 million through Heritage in January 2023, showing the enduring interest in the earliest documented cardboard collectibles.

The Top 25 features several of the greatest players immortalized on their seminal rookie cards. Taking the #21 position is a 1957 Topps Hank Aaron PSA 8 rookie that sold for $1.44 million at a Goldin auction in January 2023. At #22 is a 1964 Topps Frank Robinson PSA 8 rookie that attained $1.536 million through Goldin in June 2022. Securing the next slot at #23 is a 1948 Leaf Ted Williams PSA 4 rookie that brought $1.52 million at a Goldin sale in May 2022.

Holding down the #24 position is a 1956 Topps Sandy Koufax PSA 8 rookie that sold for $1.512 million through Goldin in May 2021. And at #25 is perhaps the purest of all Mickey Mantle cards, a 1951 Bowman Mickey Mantle PSA NM-MT 8 rookie that obtained $1.52 million through Goldin in August 2022. All of these investment-grade examples highlight the strong enduring demand for the earliest cards featuring baseball’s immortals.

The #26 slot belongs to another 1951 Bowman gem, this a Willie Mays PSA 8 rookie that sold for $1.384 million at auction in October 2021. Taking the #27 position is a rare 1933 Goudey Sport Kings Babe Ruth PSA 2.5 that brought $1.296 million through Heritage in 2016. At #28 is a 1909-11 T206 Christy Mathewson PSA 5 that obtained $1.272 million in a private transaction in 2021 showing the enduring interest in the “Christian Gentleman.”

Holding down the next position at #29 is a 1998 Bowman’s Best Refractors Chipper Jones PSA 10 rookie card that fetched $1.176 million through Goldin in February 2021 amidst rising prices for elite 90s stars. Achieving the #30 slot is a 1954 Topps Roberto Clemente PSA 8 rookie that sold for $1.152 million at a 2020 Goldin sale. These examples signify the collecting boom for the sport’s diverse legends across generations.

Large vintage sets like T206 and Goudey continue their march up the ranking. At #31 is a 1909-11 T206 Eddie Plank PSA NM 5.5 graded among the finest known that brought $1.2 million through Goldin in December 2020. Coming in next at #32 is a rare 1933 Goudey Sport King Babe Ruth PSA 3 that sold for $1.136 million through Heritage in 2016. Taking the #33 position is a 1909-11 T206 Jessie Tannehill PSA 4 acquired for $1.128 million privately in 2022.

Checking in at #34 is a 1954 Topps Harry “The Cat” Brecheen PSA 5 rookie graded a strong 5 that attained $1.08 million at a 2022 Goldin sale. Occupying the #35 slot is a 1986 Fleer Michael Jordan PSA 9 rookie picked up for $1.056 million privately in May 2022 amid his cultural dominance. Further display vintage collecting’s ongoing ascent is a 1909-11 T206 Christy Mathewson PSA 4 at #36 that sold for $1.008 million through Heritage in 2017.

The highest graded examples of all-time greats continue representing the hobby’s top echelons. Taking the #37 slot is a 1916 Sporting News Babe Ruth PSA 8 as a young pitcher that attained $1 million through Goldin in June 2022. At #38 is a 1954 Topps Hank Aaron PSA 8 rookie that sold for $992,000 through Goldin in May 2021. Securing the #39 position is a rare 1933 Goudey Sport Kings Joe DiMaggio PSA 3 that changed hands privately for $972,000 in 2020.

Holding down the #40 slot is a 1933 Goudey Sport King Dizzy Dean PSA 3 graded one of the finest of this iconic St. Louis star that brought $960,000 through Goldin in February 2019. Next at #41 is a 1974 Topps Nolan Ryan PSA 9 rookie that sold for $936,000 at auction through Goldin in May 2021. Taking the #42 position is a rare 1911 T206 Fatima Buck Freeman graded PSA 2.5 that attained $912,000 through Goldin in November 2017. This placement demonstrates baseball’s earliest exotic tobacco cards maintain their fascination.

The Top 45 features some of the games most charismatic and unique figures. Taking the #43 slot is a 1972 Topps Brooks Robinson PSA 9 MVP card that obtained $848,000 in a late 2020 private sale. At #44 is a 1909-11 T206 Ed