Sports cards are a variety of trading card, small cards usually made of cardboard, which feature an image of an athlete or athletes along with identifying text. The earliest sports cards were promotional materials usually included with tobacco products and candy and often bearing an advertisement on the reverse. The value of a sports card depends on a combination of the card's condition, the subject's popularity and the scarcity of the card. In some cases, especially with older cards that preceded the advent of card collecting as a widespread hobby, they have become collectors' items of considerable value. The two priciest cards are baseball cards, followed by three basketball cards.

The first sports card to sell for one million dollars was a T206 Honus Wagner which went for $1,265,000 at auction in 2000 (equivalent to $2,238,133 in 2023).^[1] As of May 2020^[update], the industry brings in over one billion dollars annually for manufacturers and retailers.^[2]

The current record price for an individual sports card is the US$12.6 million paid for a 1952 Mickey Mantle baseball card (Topps; #311) on August 28, 2022, breaking all previous records.^[3][4]

This list of items as of August 20, 2021^[update] is ordered by consumer price index inflation-adjusted value (in bold) in millions of United States dollars in 2023.^{[note 1]}

This list includes only the highest price paid for a given card and does not include separate entries for individual copies of the same card or multiple sales prices for the same copy of a card. Thus, for example, the T206 Honus Wagner is represented on this list by one particular card's 2021 sale and does not include the same card's 2012 sale for $1.2 million or the Jumbo Wagner and its $3.12 million sale price.

Cards are evaluated by third-party services, most often Professional Sports Authenticator (PSA), Beckett Grading Services (BGS) and Sportscard Guaranty (SGC), and given a grade on a ten-point scale based on condition.^[5]

The images below do not necessarily represent the individual specimen sold but are representative of the given cards.

More information Pos., Adjusted price ...

Pos.	Adjusted price	Original price	Athlete(s)	Year	Card	Population	Grade	Image	Date of sale	Auction house	Notes
1	$13,118,672	$12,600,000	Mickey Mantle	1952	Topps; #311	c. 2,372[6][7][8]	SGC MT 9.5		August 28, 2022	Heritage Auctions	Unknown buyer[3]
2	6,974,865	6,600,569	Honus Wagner	1909–11	T206	c. 47[9][10]	SGC VG 3		August 16, 2021	Robert Edward Auctions	It is generally believed that only 50 to 200 of the cards were ever produced.[11]
3	$5,900,000	$5,900,000	Stephen Curry	2009	National Treasures Stephen Curry Rookie Logoman Autograph	Serial Numbered #1/1	PSA NM-MT 8		July 6, 2021	Private Sale	Highest sale ever for a basketball card.[12] Purchased by Alt Fund II, the second investment fund managed by Alt which is a company that specializes in alternative assets.[13]
3	$6,122,052	$5,200,000	LeBron James	2003	Upper Deck Exquisite Collection Rookie Patch Autographs #78	Serial numbered #07/23	BGS MT 9		April 26, 2021	PWCC Marketplace	The sale was the highest ever for a basketball card at the time.[14][15] There was a similar LeBron James card that sold for $1.845 million in May 2020.[16]
4	$5,172,246	$4,600,000	Luka Doncic	2018	Panini National Treasures 1 of 1 Logoman Autograph	Serial numbered #1/1	Ungraded		February 28, 2021	Private sale	The sale was made public on Luka Dončić's birthday.[17] The card previously sold for $3.2 million in a private deal in December 2019.
5	$4,633,923	$3,936,000	Mike Trout	2009	Bowman Chrome Draft Prospects Superfractor Autograph	Serial numbered #1/1	BGS MT 9		August 23, 2020	Goldin Auctions	The seller, gambling consultant David "Vegas Dave" Oancea, had bought the card for only $400,000 only two years prior.[18]
6	$4,216,505	$3,750,000	Wayne Gretzky	1979	O-Pee-Chee	c. 10,873 [19][20][21]	PSA GM-MT 10		May 27, 2021	Private sale	The only other PSA GM-MT 10 had previously set the record for the most expensive hockey card, having sold for $1,290,000 just 5 months prior.[22][23][24]
7	$2,400,000	$2,400,000	LeBron James	2003-2004	Upper Deck Exquisite Collection Rookie Patch Autographs #78	Serial numbered #23/23	BGS NM-MT+ 8.5		October 24, 2021	Goldin Auctions
8	$2,252,854	$2,252,854	Tom Brady	2000	Playoff Contenders Championship Rookie Ticket Autograph #144	Serial numbered #099/100	BGS NM-MT+ 8.5/9		April 3, 2021	Lelands Auctions	Set record for the most expensive football card ever.
9	$2,000,000	$2,000,000	Kobe Bryant	1997	Metal Universe Precious Metal Gems - Green	Serial numbered #4/100	BGS NM-MT+ 8.5		February 22, 2022	Private sale	Set a record for a Kobe Bryant card. The Precious Metal Gems were serial numbered to 100 with 1-10 being Green and 11-100 being Red.[citation needed]
10	$2,186,632	$1,857,300	Giannis Antetokounmpo	2013–14	Panini National Treasures Logoman Patch Autograph	Serial numbered #1/1	BGS MT 9		September 20, 2020	Goldin Auctions	Broke the record for a basketball card which had been set only two months and two days earlier.[25][26]
11	$1,795,800	$1,795,800	Kobe Bryant	1996–97	Topps Chrome Refractors #138 Rookie Card	[quantify]	BGS PRISTINE/Black Label 10		March 6, 2021	Goldin Auctions
12	$1,537,500	$1,537,500	LeBron James	2003–04	Upper Deck Exquisite Collection Rookie Patch Autographs #78	Serial numbered #32/99	BGS NM-MT+ 8.5/10		March 6, 2021	Goldin Auctions	Set a record for a LeBron James Exquisite Rookie Patch Auto numbered to 99.
13	$1,440,000	$1,440,000	Michael Jordan	1997	Upper Deck Game Jersey Autographs	Serial numbered #8/23	PSA NM 7 / Auto 8		February 4, 2021	Heritage Auctions	Set record for most expensive Michael Jordan card.
14	$1,291,500	$1,291,500	LeBron James	2004–05	Upper Deck Ultimate Signatures Logos #USL-LJ Signed Logoman Card	Serial numbered #1/1	PSA Authentic / Auto 10		March 6, 2021	Goldin Auctions	Set record for any 2004 LeBron James card.
15	$1,140,000	$1,140,000	Giannis Antetokounmpo	2013–14	Panini Prizm "Prizms Black Mosaic" #290	Serial numbered #1/1	BGS GM-MT 9.5		December 12, 2020	Goldin Auctions	Set record for a non-autographed Giannis Antetokounmpo card.
16	$1,107,000	$1,107,000	Roberto Clemente	1955	Topps Rookie Card #164	[quantify]	PSA MT 9		March 6, 2021	Goldin Auctions	Set record for a Roberto Clemente card.
17	$1,050,000	$1,050,000	Mike Trout	2011	Topps Update Platinum #US175	Serial numbered #1/1	BGS MT 9/10		July 29, 2021	Private sale	Purchased by DJ and Entrepreneur DJ Skee. Was displayed at the 2021 Topps booth at the National Sports Collectors Convention[27]
18	$1,020,000	$1,020,000	Anthony Davis	2012–13	Panini National Treasures #151 NBA Logoman Rookie Patch Autographs	Serial numbered #1/1	BGS MT 9/10		January 30, 2021	Goldin Auctions	Set record for an Anthony Davis card.
19	$1,005,600	$1,005,600	Reggie Jackson	1969	Topps Rookie Card #260 - Dmitri Young Collection	[quantify]	PSA GM-MT 10		February 28, 2021	Heritage Auctions	Set record for a Reggie Jackson card.
20	$984,000	$984,000	Jackie Robinson	1952	Topps #312	[quantify]	PSA MT 9		March 6, 2021	Goldin Auctions	Set record for a Jackie Robinson card.
21	$960,000	$960,000	Stephen Curry	2009–10	Panini National Treasures "Century Platinum" Rookie Patch Autograph	Serial numbered #3/5	BGS GM-MT 9.5/10		January 30, 2021	Goldin Auctions	Set record for a Stephen Curry card.
22	$1,086,076	$922,500	Mike Trout	2009	Bowman Chrome Draft Red Refractor Autograph	Serial numbered to 5	BGS GM-MT 9.5		May 20, 2020	Goldin Auctions	Set a record for a modern-day card. The seller was gambling consultant David "Vegas Dave" Oancea.[28]
23	$915,000	$915,000	Michael Jordan	1997	Metal Universe Precious Metal Gems - Green	Serial numbered #9/100	PSA Authentic		December 13, 2020	Heritage Auctions	The holy grail of 90's Jordan inserts. The Precious Metal Gems were serial numbered to 100 with 1-10 being Green and 11-100 being Red.[29]
24	$1,059,586	$900,000	LeBron James / Michael Jordan	2003–04	Upper Deck Exquisite Collection Logoman	Serial numbered #1/1	BGS NM-MT+ 8.5		February 2020	Goldin Auctions	At the time, set a record for a modern-day card and a basketball card. The buyer was identified as high-end basketball card collector Nat Turner.[30]
25	$840,000	$840,000	Patrick Mahomes	2017	Panini National Treasures Black #161 Rookie Patch Autographs	Serial numbered #1/5	BGS MT 9/10		January 30, 2021	Goldin Auctions	At the time, set the record for most expensive football card. Holds record for a Patrick Mahomes card.
26	$799,500	$799,500	Kevin Durant	2007–08	Upper Deck Exquisite Collection Rookie Card Parallel #94 Patch Autographs	Serial numbered #23/35	BGS MT 9/10		March 6, 2021	Goldin Auctions	Set record for a Kevin Durant card.
27	$780,000	$780,000	Luka Doncic	2018	Panini Prizm Gold Prizm #280 Rookie Card	Serial numbered #3/10	PSA GM-MT 10		January 30, 2021	Goldin Auctions	Set record for a non-autographed Luka Doncic Rookie Card.
28	$929,004	$700,000	Eddie Plank	1909–11	T206	c. 110[31][9][10]	PSA 7		2012	Private sale	Like the T206 Honus Wagner, the reason for the scarcity of T206 Plank cards is unknown.[32][33][34]
29	$910,268	$717,000	Babe Ruth	1916	M101-5 Sporting News (blank back)	c. 48[35][36]	PSA NM 7		August 28, 2016	Heritage Auctions	Although called the Sporting News set, many other companies advertised on the backs of these cards. The August 28, 2016 card had nothing on the back.[37][38][39]
30	$910,268	$717,000	Pete Rose / Pedro González / Ken McMullen / Al Weis	1963	Topps	c. 6,760[40][41][42]	PSA GM-MT 10		August 28, 2016	Heritage Auctions	The only recognized rookie card of Pete Rose.[42][43]
31	$910,019	$750,000	Mickey Mantle	1951	Bowman	c. 2,066[44]	PSA MT 9		April 20, 2018	Heritage Auctions	The 1951 Bowman is the only recognized rookie card of Mickey Mantle who is the most collected figure in the industry.[45][46]
32	$720,000	$720,000	Michael Jordan	1986	Fleer	Reg. Issue #57	PSA GM-MT 10		January 30, 2021	Goldin Auctions	Two separate sales of $720,000 each set the record for most expensive Michael Jordan Rookie Cards.
33	$720,000	$720,000	LeBron James	2004	Topps Chrome Superfractor	Serial numbered #1/1	PSA GM-MT 10		October 3, 2020	Heritage Auctions	Set record for a non-autographed 2004 LeBron James card.
34	$846,980	$667,149	Joe Jackson	1909	American Caramel	c. 124[47][48]	PSA NM-MT 8		August 21, 2016	SCP Auctions	Holds the record for a candy card. Considered a rookie card.[49][50][51]
35	$800,816	$660,000	Sherry Magee	1909–11	T206 (Error)	c. 110[52][53]	PSA NM-MT 8		September 21, 2018	Heritage Auctions	Magee's name is erroneously spelled as "Magie."[54]
36	$777,422	$612,359.83	Nolan Ryan / Jerry Koosman	1968	Topps	c. 17,425 [55][56][57]	PSA GM-MT 10		August 26, 2016	Heritage Auctions	Nolan Ryan's rookie card[58][59]
37	$763,111	$575,000	Babe Ruth	1914	Baltimore News	c. 8[60][61]	PSA Good 2		August 2012	Private sale	Features Ruth with the minor league Baltimore Orioles two years before his first Major League card. The seller had bought the card for only $199,750 in 2007.[62]
38	$601,200	$601,200	Stephen Curry	2009–10	Panini National Treasures "Century Gold" #206 Rookie Patch Autographs	Serial numbered #10/25	BGS GM-MT 9.5/10		December 12, 2020	Goldin Auctions	Set record for the Stephen Curry National Treasures RPA numbered to 25.
39	$715,033	$600,000	Joe Jackson	1910	Old Mill	c. 17[63]	PSA VG+ 3.5		February 2019	Heritage Auctions	Features Jackson with the minor league New Orleans Pelicans despite being issued during his Major League career.[63][64][65]
40	$637,188	$501,900	Lew Alcindor	1969–70	Topps	c. 4,433[66][67][68]	PSA GM-MT 10		August 26, 2016	Heritage Auctions	At the time, set record for a basketball card. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's only recognized rookie card.[67][69]
41	$620,080	$488,425	Ty Cobb	1909–11	T206	c. 837[70][9][10]	PSA MT 9		August 21, 2016	SCP Auctions	One of several Cobb cards from the T206 set. This variant features Cobb holding a bat away from his body on the obverse and an advertisement for Piedmont Cigarettes on the reverse.[71][72]
42	$606,845	$478,000	Willie Mays	1952	Topps	c. 3,088[73][7][8]	PSA MT 9		May 12, 2016	Heritage Auctions	In 1953, unsold cards from the set were returned to Topps by retailers and dumped in the Hudson River.[74][75]
43	$600,628	$504,000	Ty Cobb	1915	Cracker Jack	c. 198[76][77][78]	PSA MT 9		April 23, 2019	Heritage Auctions	[79]
44	$480,000	$480,000	Stephen Curry	2009–10	Topps Chrome Gold Refractor #101 Rookie Card	[quantify]	BGS PRI 10		January 30, 2021	Goldin Auctions	Set record for a non-autographed Stephen Curry card.

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