The market for vintage baseball cards has skyrocketed in recent decades. Old cards that were once found in shoe boxes in attics are now highly sought after collectibles that can sell for millions of dollars. While not every old card holds huge value, some of the rarest cards from the early 20th century have become hugely valuable assets. Here’s a look at the 50 most expensive baseball cards ever sold and their record-breaking prices.
1909-11 T206 Honus Wagner – $6.6 million (2016 auction)
Widely considered the most coveted and valuable trading card of all-time, the ultra-rare Wagner card has maintained its position at the top of price charts. Only around 60 examples are known to exist in various conditions.
1952 Topps Mickey Mantle – $5.2 million (2021 auction)
The perfect 10 condition of this Mantle rookie fueled a massive bid that more than doubled the previous record. It remains the most ever paid for a card in a trading card auction.
1909-11 T206 Cabrera Egyptian – $4.2 million (2016 auction)
One of the most visually striking and mysterious T206 cards due to its unusual back image. In 2010, it became the first card to break the $1 million mark.
1933 Goudey #153 Babe Ruth – $5.2 million (2019 private sale)
Considered the best and most iconic baseball card issue dedicated to Babe Ruth, with only about 65 thought to exist in all grades.
1909-11 T206 Johnny Evers – $3.12 million (2016 auction)
Though not a true “star” like Wagner or Ruth, the elusive Evers attracted massive attention due to its high grade and historical significance.
1909-11 T206 Nap Lajoie – $3 million (2016 auction)
Another very rare T206 that jumped in value after breaking the $2 million mark for the first time in 2016. Lajoie was one of the first true baseball superstars.
1952 Topps Mickey Mantle – $2.88 million (2021 private sale)
A PSA NM-MT 8 copy that smashed expectations, highlighting Mantle’s hold as the most valued post-war vintage star.
1909-11 T206 Christy Mathewson – $2.56 million (2013 auction)
High grade “Black Face” examples of this Hall of Famer don’t hit the auction block often, contributing to its record price.
1909-11 T206 Ty Cobb – $2.44 million (2016 auction)
Considered one of the three most desirable T206 subject cards along with Wagner and Mathewson due to Cobb’s legendary playing career and fame.
1952 Topps Mickey Mantle – $2.4 million (2021 private sale)
Another scarce and high grade Mantle rookie that sold privately within months of the $5.2 million record-setter.
1909-11 T206 Ed Walsh – $1.84 million (2019 auction)
The priciest example of the famously tough pitcher who dominated in the early MLB years and had one of the lowest print runs on a T206.
1909-11 T206 Joe Tinker – $1.76 million (2013 auction)
High grades of this key member of the immortal Tinker-to-Evers-to-Chance double play combo are exceedingly rare and valuable.
1914 Cracker Jack Eddie Plank – $1.62 million (2013 auction)
A standout grade and centering example of Plank, a top pitcher of the Deadball Era and one of the rarest Cracker Jack issued cards overall.
1909-11 T206 Sherry Magee – $1.13 million (2017 auction)
One of the more condition-sensitive T206 subjects that realized a major price with strong eye appeal and scarce high quality.
1909-11 T206 Doc Powers – $1.056 million (2019 auction)
Among the most historically important yet obscure T206s, with low print numbers making quality copies enormously scarce.
1909-11 T206 Billy Sullivan – $864,000 (2013 auction)
One of the true “sleepers” of the T206 set that exploded in value due to strong eye appeal and outstanding centering for the issue.
1933 Goudey #171 Jimmie Foxx – $796,800 (2013 auction)
An absolutely pristine copy of one of the key sluggers from the Goudey set’s early years of production.
1909-11 T206 Rube Waddell – $792,000 (2012 auction)
Captured attention for its quality, with Waddell one of the rowdier personalities and dominant pitchers in the Deadball Era.
1933 Goudey #130 Lefty Grove – $744,000 (2014 private sale)
In terms of the most important pitchers from this iconic set, Grove’s card is exceeded in value only by Babe Ruth at the time.
1952 Topps Mickey Mantle – $720,000 (2015 auction)
While not quite “gem mint”, this scarce early Mantle rookie still brought a huge total due to strongEye appeal and its historic significance.
1933 Goudey #110 Eddie Collins – $696,000 (2011 private sale)
One of the true “big boppers” of the deadball era, Collins’ offensive prowess translated to high demand for his classic Goudey.
1909-11 T206 Chief Meyers – $660,000 (2017 auction)
An incredible near-gem that became the highest price paid for an issued example of the elusive catcher.
1909-11 T206 Sherry Magee – $612,000 (2019 auction)
Another prime example of the difficult-to-grade Magee that found a ready buyer due to strong visual quality.
1952 Topps Mickey Mantle – $567,500 (2013 auction)
An early example that still netted a large total despite grading as a low-end Near Mint due to its place in collecting lore.
1909-11 T206 Cy Young – $528,000 (2015 auction)
Captured at auction was a pristine PSA NM-MT 8 copy of the famed hurler and pioneer player from baseball’s early years.
1951 Bowman Color Mickey Mantle – $480,000 (2013 private sale)
The finest graded of the legendary switch-hitter’s color debut, considered the true “holy grail” of post-war Mantle cards.
1933 Goudey #81 Dizzy Dean – $456,000 (2011 auction)
One of the most visually striking rookie cards in the set, with Dean’s outsized personality adding to its appeal.
1909-11 T206 Bobby Wallace – $456,000 (2018 auction)
One of the truly “obscure” T206 players, this standout Wallace example shattered expectations with seven figures.
1938 Play Ball Hank Greenberg – $408,000 (2010 auction)
The high-quality “baboon behind” variation makes this one of the most significant and conditioned examples known.
1909-11 T206 Sherry Magee – $384,000 (2018 auction)
Continuing the trend of Magee’s card fetching big money in top grades scarce in the marketplace.
1952 Topps Roberto Clemente – $384,000 (2017 auction)
A true “gem mint” 10 copy of the Hall of Famer’s scarce but hugely popular 1952 rookie issue.
1914 Cracker Jack Eddie Plank – $336,000 (2012 auction)
Displaying attributes near the tops of the desirable scale for this early 20th century tobacco issue.
1951 Bowman Color Willie Mays – $312,000 (2012 auction)
Captured at a record price for the “Say Hey Kid’s” early, vibrantly designed color depiction.
1933 Goudey #74 Jimmie Foxx – $300,000 (2011 auction)
Glowing attributes earned this example of the slugging Hall of Famer’s rookie card a huge price.
1933 Goudey #62 Lou Gehrig – $288,000 (2009 auction)
At the time it set the record for any non-sports card, a true mint lou Gehrig rookie.
1909-11 T206 Claude Willoughby – $276,000 (2015 auction)
One of the toughest T206s to acquire in high grades made this an important condition rarity.
1933 Goudey #139 Lefty Gomez – $264,000 (2016 private sale)
A flawless presentation of the star hurler’s cardboard rookie captured a record sum.
1914 Cracker Jack Eddie Plank – $240,000 (2016 private sale)
The condition elite example of the rare tobacco brand rookie brought a huge payday.
1933 Goudey #53 Leroy ‘Satchel’ Paige – $240,000 (2012 private sale)
One of the finest Murad issue Paige cards known, before his debut in
