Originally published at HistoryA2Z and sister sites.

Sports memorabilia is a hot industry. Young and wealthy investors who are in the market for an alternative to stocks and bonds are rallying around sports trading cards. Bloomberg compares the buzz to Bitcoin and other unconventional investments. As a result, more and more cards are changing hands north of a million dollars.

The king of all baseball cards is the interminably desired Honus Wagner. Shrouded in mysterious appeal, the lore is as compelling as its trading value. Accounts of fakes circulating and altered versions going to auction add to the intrigue. It all started when the player stopped a tobacco company from printing his image. Bottom line, only 57 exist. Traders love the rarest sample. Most recently, it went for over $3M. Read on for more about the Honus Wagner.

The following lists the best of the best. If you have any of these cash them in!

Mickey Mantle

1952 Topps

A 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle trading card sold for $5.2M in January 2021. It smashed the record for priciest baseball card ever traded. The former record stood at $3.94M for a Mike Trout rookie card, which beat out the holy Honus Wagner at $3.12M. Actor and entrepreneur Rob Gough purchased the revered memento of Mantle memorabilia in mint condition. Previously it changed hands for $2.88M in 2018. It’s a hot market, like I said.

LeBron James

Upper Deck 2004

Recently, a LeBron James Upper Deck 2004 trading card set a record when it was purchased for $1.845M. It was the most expensive basketball card ever sold. The autographed copy is one of a batch of 23 produced. The sale of the card also came with a piece of a Cleveland Cavaliers jersey. It set a modern record. No other trading card for any athlete in a sport since 1980 had auctioned as high. The LeBron James Upper Deck 2004 card was an example of the trading card boom we see today.

Derek Jeter

1993 Upper Deck SP Foil

The Derek Jeter 1993 Upper Deck SP Foil is valued for its superior quality and its scarcity. The card is made with desirable all-foil fronts, for example, but finding one in mint condition is rare. A 1993 Rookie Card featuring NY Yankees great Derek Jeter sold for $180K in January of 2020.

Dwight Gooden

1984 Fleer Update

Dwight Gooden set rookie pitching records in 1984 with 276 KOs and 17 wins, promptly earning the nickname Doctor K. The then newly drafted New York Mets pitcher is shown on the 1984 Fleer Update card in his first season. A good condition 1984 Fleer Update trading card featuring Doctor K’s rookie photo trades for about $200.

Roberto Clemente

1955 Topps

Roberto Clemente’s rookie card is a high-quality card in high demand. As an example, a 1954 Clemente Topps rookie card sold for $478K. The Pirates hall of famer outfielder died tragically in a plane crash after his 3,000th base hit. Ever since, Clemente’s memorabilia have been fetching increasing values and his card is one of the most valuable in the card trading pastime.

Stan Musial

1948 Bowman

A Stan Musial 1948 Bowman bubble gum card is worth over $1K, if you can find one. The black and white youth-version collector card is rare, especially in good condition. Stan the Man was a legendary hitter on par with Yogi Berra and the best. At home in the Cardinals ballpark, Musial knocked out 252 homeruns and scored 999 runs. At away games he scored 940 runs.

Babe Ruth

1914 Baltimore News

The Babe Ruth 1914 Baltimore News Orioles card is one of the rarest cards in the trading hobby. The card pictures him as a minor leaguer playing for the historic Baltimore News clubhouse. In 2012, one of these cards in battered condition sold for $575K. It is believed that only 10 exist.

Tom Brady

Playoff Contender’s 2000

Any doubts that Tom Brady is the greatest NFL quarterback of all time were summarily squashed at Super Bowl 2021. The Buccaneers mortified the Chiefs while the epic QB walked away with his 7th championship title. Brady’s 2000 rookie card is not that hard to find, however, a signed Playoff Contender Rookie Ticket Parallel card is very rare and very expensive to own. At $500K a card, it is one of the NFL’s most valuable trading cards.

Roger Clemens

1984 Fleer Update

The Roger Clemens 1984 Fleer Update rookie card is rare and valuable. His dominance on the mound outshined almost every other MLB pitcher. He racked up seven Cy Young Awards, a baseball history record. Plan to spend upwards of $400 if you’re in the market for a Clemens trading card in good condition.

Pete Rose/Pedro Gonzalez/Ken McMullen/Al Weis

1963 Topps

This is an extremely rare 4-player rookie card that features Pete Rose. It is in perfect condition, hardly touched, very uncommon in baseball cards. In 2016, a 4-player with Pete Rose, Pedro Gonzalez, Ken McMullen and Al Weis auctioned at $717K. Why? Largely because it is the only Pete Rose rookie trading card available.

Albert Pujols

2001 Bowman Autographed

The 2001 Albert Pujols rookie card is one of the most important baseball cards in post-20th century trading. This is because it introduced a signature line and a limited-edition serial number on each card. The 2001 Bowman came from a printing batch of 500. Albert Pujols is one of the greatest hitters in baseball, no doubt, but his card, on its own, holds added value.

Cal Ripken Jr.

1982 Topps Traded

Few baseball legends are as widely revered as they are great. Cal Ripken Jr.’s 1982 rookie card at Topps Traded is a huge favorite, but it is not the only Ripken rookie card out there. In the ‘80s lots of cards were printed. Overproduction lowers the value, but the 1982 Topps Traded is different, it can be worth hundreds of dollars.

Nolan Ryan/Jerry Koosman

1968 Topps Rookie

This 1968 multiple-athlete trading card was common in the ‘60s, but now the distinctive-looking antique style catches the eye of the nostalgic collector. This particular baseball rookie card, with the great Nolan Ryan and Mets teammate Jerry Koosman, is one of the most iconic of the era, according to professional card trader The Cardboard Connection. An exceptionally rare example, a perfect 10—the only perfect 10 of the entire 8,000-print batch—is, as you would expect, quite pricey. It went for over $612K at last auction.

Frank Thomas

1990 Topps Error

Usually in baseball, errors are a bad thing. Not so when it comes to this Frank Thomas 1990 Topps card. The batch was printed without Hall of Famer Frank Thomas’ name across the bottom. It’s a big deal for collectors to find such rarities and such examples will fetch over one thousand dollars each.

Honus Wagner

1909-1911 T206

Behold: The holy grail of baseball cards. It is the Honus Wagner T206. This little piece of sports memorabilia went for $3.12M. The famed baseball card was originally distributed in cigarette packs from 1909 to 1911 until Wagner stopped the presses. Some say he didn’t want children buying cigarettes, but no one really knows. The Honus Wagner has been surrounded in intrigue ever since. As early as 1933, it was the highest priced baseball card at $50. Honus “The Flying Dutchman” Wagner racked up his own records on the plate. The exceptional player notched 8 batting titles during the pre-MLB “dead-ball era” days.

Chipper Jones

1991 Desert Shield

This special edition baseball card was created by Topps Traded exclusively for American troops at war in Operation Desert Storm. It was released in 1991 and marked with a limited-edition Desert Shield hologram. Today, a high-grade Desert Shield baseball card is worth hundreds of dollars. This one featuring Hall of Famer Chipper Jones sold for $13K. Very few of the 500 cards printed are in prime condition.

Ken Griffey Jr.

1990 Topps #336

Ken Griffey Jr. was a hot commodity, and his cards were avidly collected during his time in the sun. Many of those are overproduced and less valuable. But this particular card, the Ken Griffey Jr. 1990 Topps #336 is a winner. A mint condition specimen can be worth $500. Incidentally, out of all things, it is the “Topps All-Star Rookie” trophy icon in the corner that makes it a collector’s item.

Bo Jackson

1990 Donruss #61

Bo Jackson’s 1990 Donruss #61 trading card was very popular when it was released because Jackson made the All-Star team in 1989 and, as a dual athlete in MLB and in the NFL, he was widely celebrated for his exceptional talent. Today, a Bo Jackson 1990 Donruss #61 varies in value from 25 cents to $20. There were so many printed to meet demand that the card is oversaturated.

Jose Conseco

1986 Donruss #39

The Jose Conseco 1986 Donruss #39 is valued at around $150, and it is Conseco’s most recognizable rookie card. His rookie season was quite memorable as he hit 33 homeruns and was named Rookie of the Year. On eBay, the card may sell for $1,000.

Michael Jordan & LeBron James

MJ/LeBron Dual Logoman

This 2003-2004 Upper Deck collection Dual Logoman card is the most valuable basketball card in the sport. Featuring the best NBA players of all time with LeBron as a rookie and Jordan in his prime, it clocked in as the most expensive trading card of any sport. It sold for $501K in 2016. In 2020, it sold at $900K, almost doubling the value of this token of sports memorabilia.

Babe Ruth

1916 Sporting News

Babe Ruth is the most iconic baseball player of all time. NY Yankee’s legend lives on and in sports card trading, his name holds a high value. A 1916 Sporting News card featuring the Babe in his early days wearing a Red Sox uniform sold in 2017 for $550K. In 2016, the same card went for $717.

Ken Griffey Jr.

1989 Upper Deck Rookie

This Ken Griffey Jr. Upper Deck Rookie card is one of the most celebrated baseball cards of modern MLB. This card graded in excellent condition will fetch about $400. When it was first issued in the 1990s, it was a fan favorite and believed to be very valuable.

Willie Mays

1952 Topps #261

Giants centerfielder and slugger Willie Mays is one of the most iconic names in MLB. This 1952 Topps rookie card was issued a year after his actual rookie year, but it is more valuable than the 1951 Bowman rookie card. Even a low-grade 1952 Topps #261 goes for $600-$1,000. The year of the Topps card is significant because Mays put his baseball career on hold in 1952 to serve in the Army and it is noted on the back of the trading card. He returned in 1954 as one of the best outfielders of all time.

Kirby Puckett

1984 Fleer Update

The Kirby Puckett 1984 Fleer Update baseball card in mint condition will go for $200-$500. Puckett’s rookie card had a low print run, and the scarcity adds value. The Hall of Famer played his entire career on the Twins. His 1991 World Series homerun in the 11^th inning is one of MLB’s most incredible moments.

Shoeless Joe Jackson

1909 American Caramel

Slugger Joe Jackson earned his nickname after running the bases without shoes. He had removed his shoes due to a painful blister. This 1909 rookie card featuring Jackson is valuable because of its rarity. It wasn’t until a few years into his career that he would stand out with homerun records, so there are few cards available. The 1909 American Caramel is unique because it came with caramel candies inside.

Joe Doyle

1911 ATC T206 Error

This 1911 baseball card is valued for two reasons. First, it’s a prewar issue and, secondly, it contains an error. Joe Doyle was not a great pitcher, but he was a Yankees player in the American League (when the Yankees were called the Highlanders). The 1911 ATC T206 card mistakenly pictures Doyle in NY’s National League uniform. The error was discovered quickly so there are very few of these cards. In 2012, one ATC T206 fetched $414,750 at auction.

Hank Aaron

1954 Topps

Homerun king Hank Aaron’s rookie card is very valuable. The 1954 Topps baseball card is the only Hank Aaron rookie card, and it is hard to come by. A mint condition example sold for more than $375K in 2012. In February 2021, the price went through the roof selling on eBay for $18,000.

Ty Cobb

1909 T206 Bat Off Shoulder

This 1909 Ty Cobb “Bat off Shoulder” card is very valuable because of its vintage, but also because of this particular pose with the bat off of his shoulder. It’s a natural portrayal of Cobb’s actual stance, plus the quality of the printing makes it a collector favorite. Ty Cobb was a gifted athlete and the American League’s top player during his time. He is the first player to be inducted into the Hall of Fame.

Wayne Gretzky

1979 O-Pee-Chee

Hockey trading cards don’t usually trade hands for $1M, but this is Wayne Gretzky, and he is the Great One. The 1979 O-Pee-Chee Gretzky card went out of Heritage Auctions for $1.29M in the fall 2020 auction. The price tag turned heads since the last time it sold, in 2016, it went for another record, but that record was considerably less than the most recent. Five years ago, it auctioned at $465K. It seems he just gets greater.

Mickey Mantle

1951 Bowman

The 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle card wins the top prize for most expensive sports card, but the Mickey Mantle 1951 Bowman is great because it is considered the legendary player’s only rookie card. It typically goes for $500K in good condition. It is the most frequently collected baseball card. The hugely popular player is often linked with Joe DiMaggio, the center fielder Mantle replaced on the equally legendary Yankees roster.

Eddie Plank

1909 T209

The Eddie Plank 1909 T209 is the second most sought after baseball trading card. It is very rare. Only about 75 iterations exist and the lore behind the reason of its scarcity makes it even more valuable. One story is that Plank refused to allow the tobacco company to print his image because he was anti-tobacco. The bottom line: this card will go for hundreds of thousands of dollars. Hall of Famer Eddie Plank is the third most winningest left-handed pitcher in MLB. The Athletics went to the World Series five times with Plank on the mound.

Cap Anson

1887 Old Judge

The Cap Anson 1887 Old Judge trading card is the oldest baseball card in existence. Very few of the 130-year-old examples can be found. Most collectors believe this is the most important card of the nineteenth century. Cap Anson is one of baseball’s first greatest players. The card came enclosed in packs of Old Judge cigarettes, hence the name. They are very valuable. A low-grade specimen will fetch $50K easily.

Jackie Robinson

1948 Leaf

Jackie Robinson is arguably the greatest baseball player of the past two centuries and an emblem of MLB history. He endured outward racism and faced it with poise and dignity. This 1948 rookie card is extremely rare. A 1948 Leaf Jackie Robinson is listed for $500K on eBay.

Joe DiMaggio

Goudey 1938

This rare and unique baseball trading card was issued during Joe DiMaggio’s second season with the Yankees. Because it is so unusual and hard to come by, the card goes for thousands of dollars. Joltin’ Joe DiMaggio was an American icon who married Marilyn Monroe and whose name we hear in in Simon and Garfunkel’s “Mrs. Robinson.” If you come by a 1938 Goudey bearing DiMaggio’s cartoonish mien it will make you hundreds of thousand dollars richer, if, that is, you can part with it.

Duke Snider

1949 Bowman

Duke Snider’s rookie baseball card is in demand because he was part of the classic Brooklyn Dodger days of the ‘40s and ’50s. Slugger “Duke” Snider manned centerfield for the NYC team, third string, behind greats Mickey Mantle and Willie Mays. The 1949 Bowman rookie card sold for $232,750 in 2016.

Andy Pafko

1952 Topps

The 1952 Andy Pafko trading card was the very first card Topps printed in 1952. It is designated thusly with a “1” printed inside a baseball on the back side. And this, my friends, is why the Andy Pafko card is so valuable. A mint condition, perfect 10-rated 1952 Topps sold at $83,970, more than any and all Hall of Famers. Pafko never made the Hall of Fame and didn’t come close with a .285 batting average. But, because of a fluke, his card is a collector’s dream.

Joe Namath

1965 Topps

Joe Namath is one of the NFL’s most beloved quarterbacks. This 1965 Topps rookie card ranks high on the list of the most valuable trading cards in pro football. Known as “Broadway Joe,” his celebrity was only outshined by his dominance on the field. This card is not only a rare rookie card but it’s also stunning with yellow background and with a taller shape. It is worth about $35K in moderately good condition. A mint condition can fetch $260K.

Grover Alexander

1911 M101-2

Hall of Famer Grover Alexander was second only to Cy Young in pitching. The three-time Triple Crown winner would have been even greater if he wasn’t drafted into the Great War. Stationed in France, he acquired debilitating ailments and a terrible drinking problem. A high-rated 1911 Grover Alexander rookie card is listed at $5,450 on eBay.

Jack Christy Mathewson

1914 Cracker Jack

The Jack Christy Mathewson 1914 Cracker Jack baseball card is valued at $250 in perfect condition. The reason this particular trading card is worth so much is because it is unique and rare. Mathewson’s pose is distinct from all other 1914 Cracker Jack cards. As a key player, Mathewson’s unique pose on a landscape-style card makes it stand out, and no other landscape cards exist

Babe Ruth

1932 U.S. Caramel #32

This close-up portrait of the Babe with his cap at a tilt and his face in a grin is a favorite of collectors. It is worth about $300K if you can find one rated a 9 in almost mint condition. But, good luck, there are few left. The year is significant also. In 1932, Babe Ruth called a shot in the World Series. The so-called “called shot” happened in the Series against the Cubs at Wrigley Field. Ruth pointed toward centerfield and then launched a 440-foot homerun that broke the 4-4 tie in the fifth inning of Game 3. Yankees won 7-5 and swept the series in four games.

Ty Cobb

1911 T3 Turkey Red Cabinets

Ty Cobb as we know was a master at his sport. He holds the MLB career average batting record at .367. The 1911 T3 Turkey Red baseball cards distributed by the American Tobacco Company are larger and were acquired by collecting Turkey Red cigarette coupons and mailing them in. The card is 5¾ by 8 inches, more like a greeting card size. The quality is significantly better than average baseball cards, the photography is quite handsome.

Lou Gehrig

1925 Exhibits #37

This 1925 issue lists the great New Yorker pictured in Yankee pinstripes as “Henry L. Gehrig.” Later he would be known as the Iron Horse. He held the grand slam record until Alex Rodriguez broke it. Gehrig averaged .340 at bat and he has six World Series championships. The Hall of Famer played until the disease that is named after him began to take its toll. The 1933 Lou Gehrig card is worth about $275K, though collectors say it may become the number one trading baseball card of all time.

Sherry Magee

1909-11 T206

This particular card rated in near mint condition goes to auction at a $990K starting price. It is the most sought-after error card in the hobby. Sherry Magee’s rookie trading card went to the printer with a misspell. The card distributed by a tobacco company captions Magee’s portrait as “Magie.” The presses were immediately stopped when the error was found so there are very few left. It’s one of baseball’s most collectable cards.

Michael Jordan

1986 Fleer Rookie Card

In February 2021, two examples of this Michael Jordan rookie card sold for $738K a piece. The sale set a new world record for highest amount paid for a Jordan rookie trading card. The photograph captures the greatest basketball player ever in his trademark air Jordan slam-dunk pose. The photography is of very high quality and this adds to the value. The recent trade far eclipsed the last record-breaking trade when it went for $215K in 2020.

Bronko Nagurski

1935 National Chicle

The uniquely rare 1935 Bronko Nagurski rookie card is coveted by serious traders. There are only eight known-specimens of the 1935 football card and none of them are in mint condition. In 2011, one sold for $350K. The highly sought-after card is known as “the Honus Wagner of football cards.” Nagurski was an intimidating Bears linebacker, larger than the average player. Back then players only wore leather helmets. The NFL was still in its infancy which means not many Bronko Nagurski cards were printed or sold.

Mike Trout

2009 Bowman Chrome Draft Prospects Superfractor

A signed rookie card featuring Mike Trout sold for a record-smashing $3.93M at auction in the fall of 2020. It beat out the Honus Wagner T206 that went for $3.12M in 2016. The starting bid for the Trout 2009 Bowman was set at $1M. It was the most valuable baseball card in history until Mickey Mantle’s 2021 record. Angels star player Trout is a 7-time Silver Slugger and an 8-time MLB MVP. His legacy is clearly faring well in the sports memorabilia industry.

Lew Alcindor (AKA Kareem Abdul-Jabbar)

1969 #25 Topps Rookie Card

Lew Alcindor, the NBA legend who changed his name to Kareem Abdul-Jabbar in 1971, handedly won NBA Rookie of the Year in 1970. The 7’2” basketball phenom perfected the indomitable sky hook. At UCLA he delivered 3 NCAA Championships and lost only 2 games during his Bruins reign. His rookie card is a taller variety, so the design lends to wear and tear. The result being a mint condition Alcindor basketball card is rare. The estimated price for a 1969 Topps #25 is $40K according to Old Sports Cards.

Juan Soto

2018 Topps Heritage Real One

Juan Soto is a young player on the Washington Nationals. The baseball prodigy was only 19 when he drafted to the big league from the Dominican Republic. Soto’s MLB career is on the rise just having helped the Nationals clinch a World Series win, so collectors are snatching up his rookie card. A favorite is this 2018 Topps Real One autographed version. Details on the back list his minor league batting record and other factoids. Plan to shell out at least $1,000 for one in mint condition.

Tony Gwynn

1983 Topps #482

Legendary Padres slugger Tony Gwynn is one of MLB’s best hitters ever. Only Ty Cobb won more batting titles than Gwynn. The 15-time all-star was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2007. This 1983 Topps #482 is the most collected rookie card. It’s rare because the card is hard to find centered properly. Luckily for traders, the card in any condition is fairly affordable due to a large supply. A perfect example on eBay starts at $4,900.