The Most Expensive Sports Cards of All Time
From the record-breaking $12.9M Kobe and Jordan dual Logoman to the iconic Mickey Mantle and Honus Wagner, these are the most expensive sports cards ever sold.
A basketball card featuring two legends just became the most valuable card of all time.
Baseball cards have long dominated the discussion regarding the most valuable sports cards, particularly the 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle and T206 Honus Wagner cards. However, a new basketball card has recently surpassed the iconic Mantle for the top position on the list of most expensive sports cards ever sold.
A Record-Breaking $12.9 Million: Kobe Bryant & Michael Jordan Logoman Autographs
A rare dual Logoman autograph card featuring both Kobe Bryant and Michael Jordan now holds the record as the most expensive sports card of all time. This card originates from the 2007-08 Upper Deck Exquisite set and received a PSA 6 grade in excellent-mint condition. Heritage Auctions facilitated the winning bid of $12,932,000.
Individual cards of Bryant and Jordan have independently commanded seven-figure prices. Bryant’s most valuable card was his 2015-16 Panini Flawless Logoman Autograph, which sold for $2.3 million. Jordan’s priciest card was a Logoman Autograph from the 2003-04 Upper Deck Ultimate Collection.
While many record-breaking sports cards come from vintage baseball sets, the combination of signatures from two basketball greats with their Logoman patches elevated this card beyond the previous record of $12.6 million. This Bryant/Jordan card now ranks as the second-most expensive sports collectible overall, trailing only Babe Ruth’s 1932 World Series jersey from the “called shot” game, which sold for $24.12 million in 2024.
Most Expensive Sports Cards: Mickey Mantle and Honus Wagner
Though no longer at the top of the list, the 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle remains one of the most recognizable sports cards globally. An SGC 9.5 copy sold for $12.6 million in 2022, which was the highest price for any sports card at that time. While not Mantle’s rookie card, the 1952 Topps version is his most sought-after. The famous narrative that Topps discarded surplus copies of the 1952 set into the ocean adds to the card’s mystique and scarcity.
The T206 Honus Wagner ranks next among the most expensive sports cards. A 1909 Sweet Caporal version graded SGC 2 sold for $7.25 million in 2022. This card also carries historical intrigue. According to legend, Wagner objected to his photograph being included in cigarette packs---either due to concerns about promoting smoking to children or his desire for compensation from the tobacco company. The American Tobacco Company subsequently halted T206 Wagner card production. Estimates suggest only 50-200 copies survive.
Most Expensive Sports Cards from Other Sports
2009-10 Panini Playoff National Treasures Stephen Curry Rookie Logoman Autograph 1/1: $5.9 million
This Steph Curry card topped the most expensive sports cards list when it sold for $5.9 million in 2021. The 2009 season marked Panini’s inaugural basketball licensing year, enhancing the card’s significance. Curry’s most valuable rookie card holds a PSA 8 Auto 10 grade.
2003-04 Upper Deck Exquisite Collection LeBron James Rookie Patch Autograph: $5.2 million
This particular LeBron James Rookie Patch Autograph stands apart as an on-card autograph featuring a three-colored patch and numbered to 23. The copy that achieved a $5.2 million sale in 2021 received a BGS 9 grade.
2018-19 Panini National Treasures Luka Doncic Logoman Autograph 1/1: $4.6 million
Luka Doncic’s rookie card represents the most expensive ultra-modern sports card ever sold at auction. Like other cards on this list, this Rookie Patch Autograph includes an on-card signature and an NBA Logoman patch. The sale price in 2021 was $4.6 million.
2017 Panini National Treasures Patrick Mahomes Rookie Patch Autograph NFL Shield 1/1: $4.3 million
National Treasures’ signature product consists of the coveted Rookie Patch Autographs, with the 2017 release’s finest example being this Patrick Mahomes card. Alongside the on-card autograph sits an NFL Shield patch sourced from game-worn apparel. Graded a BGS 8.5, this card sold for $4.3 million in 2021.
1979 O-Pee-Chee Wayne Gretzky: $3.75 million
Gretzky’s O-Pee-Chee rookie card surpasses its Topps counterpart in fame. Only two O-Pee-Chee versions have earned a perfect PSA 10 grade, with one selling for $3.75 million in 2021.
2000 Playoff Contenders Tom Brady Championship Rookie Ticket Autograph: $3.1 million
This Brady rookie card, restricted to 100 total copies, established the record for the most expensive football card in 2021, then broke its own record two months later. A copy graded BGS 8.5 with an Auto 9 sold for $2.25 million in April 2021. Two months later in June 2021, a superior BGS 9 Auto 10 copy commanded more than $3.1 million.
Add to Your Sports Card Collection Today
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