Top 20 most expensive football cards ever sold: Everything to know
Football is one of the most popular sports worldwide, as millions tune in to watch their favourite teams play. Therefore, it is no surprise that interest in the NFL trading card market has remained strong, where some football cards are worth millions of dollars. From the earliest days of the American Professional Football Association, here are the most expensive football cards embracing the entire NFL history.
Source: UGC
As an investment, football cards are a solid choice as they have proven to be resilient even during challenging economic times. With proper knowledge and a bit of luck, any collector has the potential to find some valuable pieces.
What are the most valuable football cards?
Several record-breaking sales have occurred recently, with some cards selling for seven digits. Here is a list of the most expensive NFL cards ever sold:
1. 2017 National Treasures NFL Shield Patrick Mahomes Autographed Rookie Card ($4,300,000)
Source: UGC
This is a one-of-a-kind card released by Panini on 21 March 2017. American football quarterback Mahomes signed it, and it was later sold by PWCC Marketplace in July 2021.
2. 2000 Playoff Contenders Tom Brady Championship Ticket Autograph Rookie Card ($3,107,372.40)
Source: UGC
Sold in June 2021 by Lelands Auctions, this memorabilia was graded by Beckett Grading Services (BGS). Interestingly, in February 2008, the same card fetched only $4,450.
3. 1935 National Chicle Bronko Nagurski ($750,000)
Source: UGC
This is one of the rarest cards, with only 36 pieces available. It shows legendary Nagurski in his prime before he was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1963.
4. 1958 Topps Jim Brown Rookie Card ($358,500)
Source: UGC
With a Professional Sports Authenticator (PSA) rating, this piece was sold in November 2016 by Heritage Auctions. Jim is considered one of the greatest running backs in NFL history.
5. 2000 SP Authentic Tom Brady Rookie Card ($312,000)
Source: UGC
This item received a BGS rating 10 and a 2000 SP Authentic rating from Upper Deck. It was sold in April 2021 by Goldin Auctions.
6. 2017 Panini Flawless Patrick Mahomes Rookie Card ($312,000)
Source: UGC
Goldin Auctions sold this piece in March 2021. It achieved a BGS rating of 7.5, with Patrick’s autograph awarded a BGS of 10.
7. 1957 Topps Bart Starr ($288.000)
Source: UGC
With a population of 1,710, only three cards have achieved a PSA 9 rating. Heritage Auctions sold it in February 2017.
8. 1965 Topps Joe Namath Rookie Card ($264,000)
Source: UGC
After leading the Jets to a Super Bowl victory, Joe is one of the most well-known NFL players. Heritage Auctions sold this highly-coveted piece in February 2018
9. 2000 Bowman Chrome Tom Brady Rookie Card ($233,700)
Source: UGC
Sold in March 2021 by Goldin Auctions, Beckett graded this item as a BGS 9.5. It was the only one out of 31 to receive this grade.
10. 2005 SP Authentic 1/1 Aaron Rodgers NFL Shield Patch ($229,000)
Source: Getty Images
This card was sold in October 2010 with a 9.5 BGS rating. Aaron led his team to a victory in Super Bowl XLV, earning a Super Bowl MVP.
11. 1976 Topps Walter Payton Rookie Card ($228,000)
Source: UGC
Payton’s iconic piece obtained a Sportscard Guaranty Corporation (SGC) label of 10. It was sold in February 2021 by Heritage Auctions.
12. 1957 Topps Johnny Unitas ($167,300)
Source: Getty Images
With a PSA 9, this memorabilia was sold in November 2016 by Heritage Auctions. This PSA is the highest such a vintage piece can be awarded due to the print quality of the old days.
13. 1933 Sport Kings Jim Thorpe ($138,000)
Source: Getty Images
This PSA 9-rated piece was sold in August 2020 by Heritage Auction. Jim was an all-rounded athlete playing professional basketball, baseball and football.
14. 1986 Topps Jerry Rice ($125,655)
Source: Getty Images
The legendary 49’ers wide receiver’s PSA 10 card was sold on February 2021 on eBay through PWCC Auctions. The NFL star played for 20 seasons and won three Super Bowls.
15. 1948 Leaf-Skid Luckman Rookie Card ($46,500)
Source: Getty Images
This piece features bright colouration and an image of Luckman tossing the ball to the receiver. Luckman served as a quarterback for the Chicago Bears of the NFL.
16. 1948 Leaf-Bobby Layne ($45,000)
Source: Getty Images
These are one of the classic football card sets of the post-war era. PSA has graded around 300 copies of them. Layne led the Detroit Lions to three titles and was a six-time pro bowler.
17. 1948 Leaf-Chuck Bednarick ($30,000)
Source: Getty Images
Around 160 of these cards have been graded by PSA. There are three variations, copies with a white, yellow and orange background.
18. 1894 N302 Mayo’s Cut Plug-John Dunlop ($22,750)
Source: Getty Images
This is one of the rarest NFL cards, sometimes referred to as the holy grail of football cards. It is hard to find this piece in mint condition, primarily because of the black borders, which are prone to chipping.
19. 1948 Leaf-Sammy Baugh ($17,500)
Source: UGC
Sammy is regarded as the best quarterback of all time, having won two championships and six All-Pro nominations. PSA graded only 250 of these vintage pieces.
20. 1935 National Chicle-Knute Rockne ($16,500)
Source: Getty Images
This tribute piece was made only four years before Knute died in a plane crash. In 13 years as a head coach of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, he led his team to three championships, with five undefeated seasons.
What is the most expensive Lionel Messi card?
Messi’s most valuable card is the 2004 Panini Sports Mega Cracks #71-BIS Lionel Messi PSA 10. As of 2023, it is worth $312,000.
What is the most expensive FIFA World Cup card?
The Pelé 1958 Alifabolaget Base #635 PSA 9 is the most valuable FIFA World Cup piece, worth $1,330,000 in 2023. Pelé, a three-time World Cup winner, is regarded by many as the best soccer player in history.
Source: UGC
This article has everything you need to know about the most expensive football cards ever sold. With decades of cards from legendary players, there are far too many chances to strike gold on a random piece in a vintage shop.
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Source: Briefly News
