Top Sports Cards Sales Prices and Auction Values of All-Time
While the record-breaking prices of 2021 have slowed, the market for high-end sports cards is still booming, pushing the top sports card sales into the millions.
Before 2020, million-dollar sports card sales used to be a rarity. However, as seen in the list, the card market has picked up in recent years. In fact, every featured card below sold for more than $2 million.
Mickey Mantle headlines the list of the highest sports card prices. Another clear favorite among the high-end market is the T206 Honus Wagner.
When talking about the highest-selling cards in history, you can't forget Babe Ruth, including his rare 1914 Baltimore News card.
The biggest card sales also include superstars who have come to define their respective sports, such as Michael Jordan and Wayne Gretzky.
And it's not just cards of the all-time legends from the past. Other top sellers include iconic cards for LeBron James, Luka Doncic, Mike Trout, Patrick Mahomes, and Tom Brady.
See also: Real-Time eBay Card Auction Hot List.
Most Expensive Sports Cards Sales Values in History
Completed auction listings are linked when available. *List is current as of December 2023.*
1. 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle #311 (SGC 9.5) - $12.6 million
- When - August 27, 2022
- Where - Heritage Auctions
- How Much - $12,600,000
2. 1909-1911 T206 White Border Honus Wagner Sweet Caporal (SGC 2) - $7.25 million
- When - August 4, 2022 (announcement date)
- Where - Goldin (Private Sale)
- How Much - $7,250,000
3. 1914 Baltimore News Babe Ruth (SGC 3) - $7.2 million
- When - December 3, 2023
- Where - Robert Edwards Auctions (REA)
- How Much - $7,200,000
4. 1909-1911 T206 White Border Honus Wagner Sweet Caporal (SGC 3) - $6.6 million
- When - August 16, 2021
- Where - Robert Edwards Auctions (REA)
- How Much - $6,606,296
5T. 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle #311 (PSA 9) - $5.2 million
- When - January 14, 2021 (announcement date)
- Where - PWCC Marketplace (Private Sale)
- How Much - $5,200,000
5T. 2003-04 Exquisite Collection LeBron James #78 Rookie Patch Autograph Jersey Number #/23 (BGS 9) - $5.2 million
- When - April 26, 2021 (announcement date)
- Where - PWCC Marketplace (Private Sale)
- How Much - $5,200,000
7. 2018-19 Panini National Treasures Luka Doncic #127 Rookie Patch Autograph Logoman 1/1 - $4.6 million
The graded version of the same card sold for $3.12 million in November 2022.
- When - February 28, 2021 (announcement date)
- Where - Private Sale
- How Much - $4,600,000
8. 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle #311 (SGC 9) - $4.5 million
- When - August 19, 2023
- Where - Heritage Auctions
- How Much - $4,500,000
9. 2017 Panini National Treasures Patrick Mahomes #161 Rookie Patch Autograph Platinum Shield 1/1 (BGS 8.5) - $4.3 million
- When - July 28, 2021 (announcement date)
- Where - PWCC Marketplace (Private Sale)
- How Much - $4,300,000
10. 1933 Goudey Babe Ruth #33 (PSA 9) - $4.2 million
- When - July 10, 2021
- Where - Memory Lane
- How Much - $4,212,000
11. 2009 Bowman Chrome Draft Mike Trout #BDPP89 SuperFractor Autograph 1/1 (BGS 9/Auto 10) - $3.84 million
- When - August 22, 2020
- Where - Goldin Auctions
- How Much - $3,840,000
12. 1909-1911 T206 White Border Honus Wagner Sweet Caporal (PSA 2) - $3.75 million
- When - May 22, 2021
- Where - Goldin Auctions
- How Much - $3,751,000
13. 1979-80 O-Pee-Chee Wayne Gretzky RC #18 (PSA 10) - $3.75 million
- When - May 27, 2021 (announcement date)
- Where - Heritage Auctions (private sale)
- How Much - $3,750,000
14. 1909-1911 T206 White Border Honus Wagner Sweet Caporal (PSA 1.5) - $3.72 million
- When - October 9, 2022
- Where - Goldin Auctions
- How Much - $3,720,000
15. 1909-1911 T206 White Border Honus Wagner Sweet Caporal (PSA 3) - $3.7 million
- When - December 17, 2020 (announcement date)
- Where - Heritage Auctions (private sale)
- How Much - $3,700,000
- When - October 7, 2020 (announcement date)
- Where - Mile High Card Company (private sale)
- How Much - $3,250,000
16. 1951 Bowman Mickey Mantle RC #253 (PSA 9) - $3.19 million
- When - December 3, 2022
- Where - Memory Lane
- How Much - $3,192,000
17. 1909-1911 T206 White Border Honus Wagner Sweet Caporal (PSA 1) - $3.13 million
- When - March 31, 2022
- Where - Mile High Card Company
- How Much - $3,136,500
18. 1909-1911 T206 White Border Honus Wagner Sweet Caporal "Jumbo" (PSA 5 - MC) - $3.12 million
- When - October 1, 2016
- Where - Goldin Auctions
- How Much - $3,120,000
- When - April 5, 2014
- Where - Goldin Auctions
- How Much - $2,105,770.50
19. 2018-19 Panini National Treasures Luka Doncic #127 Rookie Patch Autograph Logoman 1/1 (BGS 9/Auto 10) - $3.12 million
The ungraded version of the same card sold for $4.6 million in February 2021.
- When - November 17, 2022
- Where - PWCC Auction
- How Much - $3,120,000
20. 2000 Playoff Contenders Tom Brady #144 Championship Rookie Ticket Autograph #/100 (BGS 9/Auto 10) - $3.1 million
- When - June 4, 2021
- Where - Lelands Auctions
- How Much - $3,107,372.40
21T. 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle #311 (PSA 9) - $2.8 million
- When - April 19, 2018
- Where - Heritage Auctions
- How Much - $2,880,000
21T. 2000 Playoff Contenders Tom Brady RC #144 Rookie Ticket Autograph (PSA 10) - $2.8 million
- When - August 21, 2021
- Where - PWCC Auctions
- How Much - $2,880,000
23. 1909-1911 T206 White Border Honus Wagner Sweet Caporal "The Garagiola Wagner" (SGC Authentic) - $2.52 million
- When - February 27, 2021
- Where - Heritage Auctions
- How Much - $2,520,000
24T. 2000 Playoff Contenders Tom Brady #144 Championship Rookie Ticket Autograph #/100 (BGS 9/Auto 10) - $2.4 million
- When - October 20, 2022
- Where - PWCC Auctions
- How Much - $2,400,000
24T. 2003-04 Exquisite Collection LeBron James RC #78 Rookie Patch Autograph #/99 (BGS 9.5/Auto 10) - $2.4 million
- When - October 22, 2022
- Where - Goldin Auctions
- How Much - $2,400,000
24T. 2003-04 Exquisite Collection LeBron James RC #78 Rookie Patch Autograph #/99 (BGS 8.5) - $2.4 million
- When - October 24, 2021
- Where - Goldin Auctions
- How Much - $2,400,000
24T. 2020-21 Panini Flawless LeBron James Triple Logoman 1/1 (PSA Authentic) - $2.4 million
- When - June 25, 2022
- Where - Goldin Auctions
- How Much - $2,400,000
28. 2000 Playoff Contenders Tom Brady #144 Championship Rookie Ticket Autograph #/100 (BAS 8.5/Auto 9) - $2.25 million
- When - April 2, 2021
- Where - Lelands Auctions
- How Much - $2,252,854.80
29. 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle #311 (PSA 8) - $2.1 million
- When - July 10, 2021
- Where - Memory Lane
- How Much - $2,112,000
30. 2003-04 Exquisite Collection LeBron James #78 Rookie Patch Autograph Jersey Number #/23 (BGS 8.5) - $2.1 million
- When - June 25, 2022
- Where - Goldin Auctions
- How Much - $2,100,000
31. 1997-98 Upper Deck Game Jersey Autograph Michael Jordan #/23 (PSA 8/Auto 9) - $2 million
- When - May 22, 2021
- Where - Goldin Auctions
- How Much - $2,052,000
32. 2000 Playoff Contenders Tom Brady #144 Championship Rookie Ticket Autograph #/100 (BGS 8.5/Auto 10) - $2 million
- When - February 19, 2022
- Where - PWCC Auctions
- How Much - $2,040,000
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Radek Smaczny
Hello,
Im looking to expand my collection from coins to cards. What company is worth collecting for modern cards and how does one “proof” them? Get them checked for value?
Thank you for the advice