It was bound to happen, with individual comic books selling for over $3 million, the same price escalation was destined to hit the baseball world. And the most likely candidate had to be a Honus Wagner card.
Although not a particularly legendary player, Honus Wagner’s baseball cards from the American Tobacco Company’s T206 series are the most valuable baseball cards in the hobby. They have scarcity on their side (only 50-60 in circulation and a great origin story. The reason they are rare is because Wagner demanded to be taken out of the card series, either because he didn’t like the cigarette company marketing the cards.
It was a record-setting night at The Goldin Auctions Great American Trading Card Auction as more than 20 new records were set with just 50 lots of trading cards recording $6.7 million in sales. The 1909-11 T206 White Border Honus Wagner PSA EX 5 (MC) sold for a record $3.12 million, making it the first $3 million sports trading card. The record surpassed the previous record of $2.8 million for the “Gretzky Wagner.”
Also sold during the same auction a 2003-04 Upper Deck LeBron James 1/1 “Ultimate Logos” Autographed Logoman Rookie PSA MINT 9 sold for $312,000. It was the most ever paid for a card made after 1980. A 1955 Topps #164 Roberto Clemente Rookie Card PSA MINT 9 sold $477,750. A 1954 Topps #128 Hank Aaron Rookie Card PSA MINT 9 also sold for $312,000 and a 1952 Topps #311 Mickey Mantle Rookie Card PSA NM +7.5 went for $300,000.
The Great American Trading Card Auction included six cards with a PSA 10 GEM MT rating, five cards designated as 1 of 1’s and four cards recognized as 1 of 2. Remarkably, 12 cards sold for more than $100,000 with eight lots surpassing $200,000 and five cards exceeding $300,000.
“The demand for rare, high-grade vintage cards has exploded so we were confident that there would be some eye-popping results and new record prices established,” said Ken Goldin, Founder of Goldin Auctions. “Every time one of these rare collectibles is offered for auction, serious collectors realize that it may be the last time for a long time.”
For all of the prices realized, visit www.GoldinAuctions.com.
