# List of most expensive sports cards

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). As of May 2020, the industry brings in over one billion dollars annually for manufacturers and retailers.
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.

## List of highest prices paid

This list of items as of August 20, 2021 is ordered by consumer price index inflation-adjusted value (in bold) in millions of United States dollars in 2023.
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.
The images below do not necessarily represent the individual specimen sold but are representative of the given cards.
| Pos. | Adjusted price | Original price | Athlete(s) | Year | Card | Population | Grade | Date of sale | Auction house | Notes |
| 1 | $13,118,672 | $12,600,000 | Mickey Mantle | 1952 | Topps; #311 | c. 2,372 | SGC MT 9.5 | August 28, 2022 | Heritage Auctions | Unknown buyer |
| 2 | $7,427,795 | $6,600,569 | Honus Wagner | 1909–11 | T206 | c. 47 | SGC VG 3 | August 16, 2021 | Robert Edward Auctions | It is generally believed that only 50 to 200 of the cards were ever produced. |
| 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. Purchased by Alt Fund II, the second investment fund managed by Alt which is a company that specializes in alternative assets. |
| 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. There was a similar LeBron James card that sold for $1.845 million in May 2020. |
| 4 | $5,172,246 | $4,600,000 | Luka Dončić | 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. 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. |
| 6 | $4,216,505 | $3,750,000 | Wayne Gretzky | 1979 | O-Pee-Chee | c. 10,873 | 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. |
| 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. |
| 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. |
| 11 | $1,795,800 | $1,795,800 | Kobe Bryant | 1996–97 | Topps Chrome Refractors #138 Rookie Card | | 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 | | 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 |
| 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 | | 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 | | 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. |
| 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 Precious Metal Gems were serial numbered to 100 with 1-10 being Green and 11-100 being Red. |
| 24 | $900,000 | $900,000 | Lewis Hamilton | 2020 | Topps Chrome F1 Superfractor auto | Serial numbered #1/1 | PSA MT 8 | May 1, 2022 | Goldin Auctions | As featured on the King of Collectibles show on Netflix, this sale is considered the most expensive F1 card in the world. |
| 25 | $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. |
| 26 | $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. |
| 27 | $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. |
| 28 | $780,000 | $780,000 | Luka Dončić | 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 Dončić Rookie Card. |
| 29 | $929,004 | $700,000 | Eddie Plank | 1909–11 | T206 | c. 110 | PSA 7 | 2012 | Private sale | Like the T206 Honus Wagner, the reason for the scarcity of T206 Plank cards is unknown. |
| 30 | $910,268 | $717,000 | Babe Ruth | 1916 | M101-5 Sporting News (blank back) | c. 48 | 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. |
| 31 | $910,268 | $717,000 | Pete Rose / Pedro González / Ken McMullen / Al Weis | 1963 | Topps | c. 6,760 | PSA GM-MT 10 | August 28, 2016 | Heritage Auctions | The only recognized rookie card of Pete Rose. |
| 32 | $910,019 | $750,000 | Mickey Mantle | 1951 | Bowman | c. 2,066 | 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. |
| 33 | $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. |
| 34 | $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. |
| 35 | $846,980 | $667,149 | Joe Jackson | 1909 | American Caramel | c. 124 | PSA NM-MT 8 | August 21, 2016 | SCP Auctions | Holds the record for a candy card. Considered a rookie card. |
| 36 | $800,816 | $660,000 | Sherry Magee | 1909–11 | T206 (Error) | c. 110 | PSA NM-MT 8 | September 21, 2018 | Heritage Auctions | Magee's name is erroneously spelled as "Magie." |
| 37 | $777,422 | $612,359.83 | Nolan Ryan / Jerry Koosman | 1968 | Topps | c. 17,425 | PSA GM-MT 10 | August 26, 2016 | Heritage Auctions | Nolan Ryan's rookie card |
| 38 | $763,111 | $575,000 | Babe Ruth | 1914 | Baltimore News | c. 8 | 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 $199,750 in 2007. |
| 39 | $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. |
| 40 | $715,033 | $600,000 | Joe Jackson | 1910 | Old Mill | c. 17 | 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. |
| 41 | $637,188 | $501,900 | Lew Alcindor | 1969–70 | Topps | c. 4,433 | 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. |
| 42 | $620,080 | $488,425 | Ty Cobb | 1909–11 | T206 | c. 837 | 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. |
| 43 | $606,845 | $478,000 | Willie Mays | 1952 | Topps | c. 3,088 | 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. |
| 44 | $600,628 | $504,000 | Ty Cobb | 1915 | Cracker Jack | c. 198 | PSA MT 9 | April 23, 2019 | Heritage Auctions | |
| 45 | $480,000 | $480,000 | Stephen Curry | 2009–10 | Topps Chrome Gold Refractor #101 Rookie Card | | BGS PRI 10 | January 30, 2021 | Goldin Auctions | Set record for a non-autographed Stephen Curry card. |