| 1 | T206 SGC 3 (Honus Wagner) | $6.6 million |
| 2 | 1952 Topps (Mickey Mantle) | $5.2 million |
| 3 | 2003-04 Rookie Patch Autograph (LeBron James) | $5.2 million |
| 4 | 1:1 Logoman Autographed (Luka Doncic) | $4.6 million |
| 5 | 2017 Rookie Auto BGS 8.5 (Patrick Mahomes) | $4.3 million |
| 6 | 2009 Superfractor Autograph (Mike Trout) | $3.9 million |
| 7 | T206 PSA 2 (Honus Wagner) | $3.75 million |
| 8 | 1979 Wayne Gretzky O-Pee-Chee (Wayne Gretzky) | $3.75 million |
| 9 | PSA 3 (Honus Wagner) | $3.7 million |
| 10 | T206 PSA 5 (Honus Wagner) | $3.1 million |
Why are Honus Wagner Cards so Valuable?
The T206 Honus Wagner card, produced by the American Tobacco Company from 1909 to 1911, is one of the most valuable and iconic baseball cards in the hobby's history. Its high value can be attributed to several key factors:
Rarity: The T206 Honus Wagner is extraordinarily rare. It's estimated that only around 50 to 200 cards were ever distributed to the public, compared to tens or hundreds of thousands for most other cards in the T206 set.
Condition: Like all vintage cards, the condition is a crucial factor in the value of a T206 Wagner. Because they are so old and were often not well-cared for, high-grade examples are especially rare and valuable.
Historical Significance: Honus Wagner is one of the greatest players in baseball history, a star of the dead-ball era who was one of the five original inductees into the Baseball Hall of Fame.
Story and Mystique: Part of the value of the Wagner card comes from the story behind it. According to one widely believed but unconfirmed story, Wagner himself requested the card be pulled from the T206 set because he did not want to promote tobacco use among children. This added a level of intrigue and desirability to the card that has only grown over time.
Prominent Past Owners: The card's reputation has been boosted by its famous owners, including Wayne Gretzky, the NHL star. The Gretzky T206 Wagner card sold for a then-record $2.8 million in 2007, and it was later revealed that the card had been trimmed to improve its appearance.
These factors combined make the T206 Wagner one of the most desirable and valuable cards in the world.
Who Was Honus Wagner?
Honus Wagner is a baseball legend who played in the early 20th century, mostly for the Pittsburgh Pirates. His T206 card is one of the rarest and most sought-after baseball cards in the world due to its limited distribution.
Wagner reportedly didn't want to promote the tobacco company that produced the cards, leading to a very limited run.
Who has the most Expensive Sports Cards?
The other names on the list, Mickey Mantle, LeBron James, Luka Doncic, Patrick Mahomes, Mike Trout, and Wayne Gretzky, are all superstars in their respective sports. Their high value cards are often rookie cards or have special features like autographs or jersey patches.
As the sports card market continues to grow, we may see even higher prices in the future.