The most expensive rookie card ever sold in sports history

The world of sports memorabilia is full of collectors and enthusiasts who seek to own a piece of history. One of the most sought-after items in this realm is the rookie card of a star athlete. They are prized for their rarity, historical significance, and of course, their value. In recent years, the most expensive rookie cards have commanded record-breaking prices at auctions.

The value of a rookie card is determined by various factors, including the player's performance and popularity, the rarity and its condition. With new stars emerging every year, it will be interesting to see who will hold the title of the most expensive rookie card in the future.

1. Tom Brady - $3.107 million

The most expensive rookie card ever sold in football history belongs to Tom Brady, widely considered one of the greatest quarterbacks ever. In 2000 Playoff Contenders Championship Rookie Ticket Autograph was sold for a whopping $3.107 million in March 2021.

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Football

It is precious because it features an on-card autograph from Brady and is one of just 100 made. It is also considered one of the most iconic in football collecting. The high price it fetched at auction is a testament to Brady's enduring popularity and success on the field.

2. Luka Doncic - $4.6 million

Regarding basketball, the most expensive rookie card ever sold belongs to Luka Doncic. His 2018-19 National Treasures Horizontal RPA, featuring a patch from one of his jerseys, sold for an incredible $4.6 million in March 2021.

This is notable for its limited availability since only 99 were produced, and Doncic is widely considered one of the most promising young players in the game. The high sale price is a testament to his talent and potential and the market demand for rare and unique ones.

3. LeBron James - $1.8 million

Who has the most expensive rookie card? The most costly rookie card belongs to basketball player LeBron James. His 2003-04 Upper Deck Exquisite is among the rarest and most expensive rookie card values.

It features an on-card autograph from LeBron James and a piece of his game-worn jersey and is limited to just 23 copies. In 2020, one of these was sold for a record-breaking $5.2 million, making it the most expensive basketball ever sold.

4. Shohei Ohtani - $6.725 million

Regarding baseball, the most expensive rookie card ever sold belongs to Shohei Ohtani, a two-way player who excels both as a pitcher and a hitter. In January 2021, a rare 2009 Bowman Chrome Draft Prospects Superfractor card featuring Ohtani sold for an incredible $6.725 million. It is notable for its high sales and Ohtani's unique talent and potential to become one of the greatest players ever.

Shohei Ohtani is a professional baseball player from Japan who currently plays for the Los Angeles Angels in Major League Baseball (MLB). He is a rare two-way player, meaning he is both a pitcher and a designated hitter (DH). Ohtani is considered one of the league's most exciting and talented players.

In terms of his salary, Ohtani signed a contract with the Angels in 2017 that pays him a base salary of $545,000 per year. However, he also received a signing bonus of $2.315 million, which brings his total compensation for the 2021 season to $3.86 million.

5. Mike Trout - $3.93 million

The Mike Trout 2009 Bowman Chrome Draft Prospects Superfractor rookie card is one of history's most valuable and sought-after sports cards. It was sold for a record-breaking price of $3.93 million in August 2021, breaking the previous record held by a Honus Wagner T206 card sold for $3.12 million in 2016.

Mike Trout is considered one of the greatest baseball players of all time, with a career that includes three American League MVP awards and numerous All-Star selections. His rookie card has become highly desirable among collectors, especially given its rarity and unique design.

The Superfractor version of the card is a one-of-a-kind item featuring a shiny, rainbow-like finish that makes it stand out from others. The sale of the Trout Superfractor broke the previous record for the most expensive sports card ever sold, which was held by the 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle sold for $5.2 million in January 2021.

6. Mickey Mantle - $2.88 million

In 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle card sold for $2.88 million in 2018, and it was later sold for a record-breaking $5.2 million in January 2021. This sale made it the most expensive baseball ever sold at auction and the third most costly in sports.

The 1952 Topps set is considered one of the most critical sets in sports history, and the Mickey Mantle is its most coveted and valuable item. Mantle was a legendary player for the New York Yankees, and his popularity has only grown since his retirement. The 1952 Topps' is desirable because it was one of his first significant sets and adds features to an iconic design that has become synonymous with the era.

7. Connor McDavid - $1.29 million

Connor McDavid's 2015-16 The Cup RPA is a highly sought-after hockey card featuring an autographed patch of McDavid's jersey. It is part of the Upper Deck The Cup series, which produces some of history's most valuable hockey cards.

Collectors particularly prize McDavid's rookie due to his talent, popularity, and a limited production run of 99 copies. In 2021, they set a new record for the highest price ever paid for hockey when a collector paid $1.29 million. This sale reflects the passion and dedication of sports collectors, who continue to seek out rare and valuable items to add to their collections.

8. Wayne Gretzky - $465,000

Wayne Gretzky's 1979-80 O-Pee-Chee rookie card is one of the most iconic and valuable hockey cards ever. In 2021, a collector paid $465,000, setting a new record for the highest price ever for a Gretzky rookie.

The value is attributed to Gretzky's status as one of the greatest hockey players of all time, as well as the limited production run of the O-Pee-Chee set. The sale is a testament to the enduring popularity of hockey and its greatest players among collectors.

9. Patrick Mahomes - $861,000

Patrick Mahomes' 2017 National Treasures RPA (Rookie Patch Autograph) is one of the most valuable football cards ever produced. It features an autographed patch of Mahomes' jersey and is part of the National Treasures series.

Mahomes is widely considered one of the most talented young quarterbacks in the NFL, and his rookie card has been highly sought-after by collectors since it was first released. In 2021, a collector paid $861,000, setting a new record for the highest price ever in football. The sale reflects the passion and dedication of sports collectors, who continue to seek out rare and valuable items to add to their collections.

10. Kobe Bryant - $1.79 million

Kobe Bryant's 1996-97 Topps Chrome Refractor rookie card is one of the most valuable basketball ever produced. It is part of the Topps Chrome series, which makes high-quality refractor technology that creates a shiny, reflective surface.

Bryant is widely considered one of the greatest basketball players of all time, and his rookie card has been highly sought-after by collectors since it was first released. In 2021, a collector paid $1.79 million, setting a new record for the highest price ever for a basketball card. The sale is a testament to Bryant's enduring legacy as a sports icon and the enduring popularity of basketball among collectors.

Which is the most expensive baseball card of all time?

The most expensive baseball card of all time is the T206 Honus Wagner's, produced between 1909 and 1911 by the American Tobacco Company. It features Honus Wagner, a legendary Pittsburgh Pirates shortstop, and is highly sought after by collectors due to its rarity and historical significance. In 2021, it was sold for $6.6 million, breaking the previous record of $5.2 million set in 2020.

The value of a rookie card is determined by various factors, including the player's performance and popularity, the rarity of the card, and its condition. With new stars emerging every year, it will be interesting to see who will hold the title of the most expensive rookie card in the future.

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