Football cards are not just pieces of cardboard with pictures and stats of your favorite players. They are also valuable collectibles that can fetch huge sums of money in the market. Some football cards are so rare and desirable that they can sell for millions of dollars at auctions or private sales. In this article, we will take a look at the 10 most expensive football cards ever sold, and what makes them so special.
1933 Goudey Sport Kings Jim Thorpe – $138,000
Jim Thorpe is widely regarded as one of the greatest athletes of all time. He excelled in various sports, including football, baseball, basketball, and track and field. He was also the first Native American to win Olympic gold medals, in 1912. His 1933 Goudey Sport Kings card is one of the earliest and most iconic football cards in the hobby. It features a colorful portrait of Thorpe in his Canton Bulldogs uniform, along with his name and sport. Only four copies of this card have been graded PSA 9 (mint condition) by the Professional Sports Authenticator (PSA), and one of them sold for $138,000 at a Heritage Auctions event in August 2020.
1957 Topps Bart Starr – $288,000
Bart Starr is one of the most successful and respected quarterbacks in NFL history. He led the Green Bay Packers to five championships, including the first two Super Bowls, and was named MVP of both. He was also the coach of the Packers for nine seasons and a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame. His 1957 Topps rookie card is the most valuable football card of the 1950s and one of the most sought-after cards in the hobby. It features a portrait of Starr in his Packers uniform, with a green border and a yellow nameplate. The card is very rare in high grade, due to poor centering and print defects. In February 2021, a PSA 9 copy of this card sold for $288,000 at a Goldin Auctions event.
1965 Topps Joe Namath – $264,000
Joe Namath, also known as “Broadway Joe”, is one of the most charismatic and influential quarterbacks in NFL history. He led the New York Jets to a stunning upset victory over the Baltimore Colts in Super Bowl III, after famously guaranteeing a win. He was also a pop culture icon, appearing in movies, commercials, and magazines. His 1965 Topps rookie card is the most popular and valuable football card of the 1960s. It shows a young Namath in his Jets helmet, with a green and white border. The card is notoriously difficult to find in high grade, due to its large size and centering issues. In February 2018, a PSA 9 copy of this card sold for $264,000 at a Heritage Auctions event.
1958 Topps Jim Brown – $336,000
Jim Brown is widely considered as the greatest running back of all time, and one of the best players in NFL history. He dominated the league for nine seasons with the Cleveland Browns, winning three MVP awards and a championship. He retired as the all-time leader in rushing yards and touchdowns and still holds several records to this day. He was also a civil rights activist and a successful actor. His 1958 Topps rookie card is the most valuable football card of the 1950s and one of the most iconic cards in the hobby. It features a close-up photo of Brown in his Browns helmet, with a yellow background and a red nameplate. The card is extremely scarce in high grade, due to poor printing quality and wear and tear. In November 2017, a PSA 9 copy of this card sold for $336,000 at a Heritage Auctions event.
1935 National Chicle Bronko Nagurski – $350,000
Bronko Nagurski is one of the most feared and legendary players in NFL history. He played for the Chicago Bears from 1930 to 1937, and again in 1943, as a fullback and a defensive tackle. He was known for his strength, toughness, and versatility, and was a part of three championship teams with the Bears. He was also a professional wrestler and a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame. His 1935 National Chicle card is the most valuable football card of the pre-war era and one of the most desirable cards in the hobby. It features a painting of Nagurski in his Minnesota Golden Gophers uniform, where he was an All-American. The card is numbered 34 out of 36 in the set, making it a high-number card that is very hard to find. In December 2011, a PSA 9 copy of this card sold for $350,000 at a Memory Lane event.
2009-10 Playoff National Treasures RPA (Logoman) Stephen Curry – $450,000
Stephen Curry is not a football player, but a basketball superstar who plays for the Golden State Warriors. He is widely regarded as the greatest shooter of all time, and one of the best players in NBA history. He has won three championships, two MVP awards, and several records with the Warriors. He is also a fan of football and has collected football cards since he was a kid. His 2009-10 Playoff National Treasures Rookie Patch Autograph (RPA) card is one of the most expensive basketball cards ever sold, and also one of the most expensive football cards ever sold. It features a photo of Curry in his Warriors jersey, along with a patch of the NBA logo and his signature. The card is numbered 1/1, meaning it is the only one of its kind in the world. In October 2020, Curry sold this card for $450,000 at a Goldin Auctions event and donated the proceeds to the United Negro College Fund.
1958 Alifabolaget Pelé – $555,000
Pelé is not a football player, but a soccer player who is widely regarded as the greatest of all time. He played for Brazil, Santos, and New York Cosmos, and won three World Cups, two Copa Libertadores, and several other titles and awards. He scored over 1,000 goals in his career and was named the FIFA Player of the Century in 2000. He is also a global icon and a humanitarian. His 1958 Alifabolaget card is one of the most expensive soccer cards ever sold, and also one of the most expensive football cards ever sold. It features a photo of Pelé in his Brazil jersey, along with his name and team. The card is from a Swedish gum company and was issued during the 1958 World Cup in Sweden, where Pelé made his debut and led Brazil to the title. The card is scarce, especially in high grades. In March 2021, a PSA 10 copy of this card sold for $555,000 at a PWCC event.
2000 Playoff Contenders Championship Ticket Tom Brady – $3,107,372
Tom Brady is widely recognized as the greatest quarterback of all time and one of the greatest football players of all time. He has won seven Super Bowls, five MVP awards, and numerous records with the New England Patriots and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He is also one of the most popular and influential athletes in the world. His 2000 Playoff Contenders Rookie Ticket Autograph card is one of the most iconic and valuable football cards in the hobby. It features a photo of Brady in his Patriots uniform, along with a ticket stub design and his signature. The card is numbered 8 out of 100, making it a very limited and rare card. In June 2021, a BGS 9 copy of this card sold for $3,107,372 at a Lelands event, setting a new record for the most expensive football card ever sold.
2017 Panini National Treasures RPA (Shield) Patrick Mahomes II – $4,300,000
Patrick Mahomes II is one of the best and most exciting quarterbacks in the NFL today. He plays for the Kansas City Chiefs and has won a Super Bowl, an MVP award, and several records in his young career. He is also one of the most popular and marketable athletes in the world. His 2017 Panini National Treasures RPA card is one of the most expensive modern cards ever sold, and also one of the most expensive football cards ever sold. It features a photo of Mahomes in his Chiefs uniform, along with a patch of the NFL shield logo and his signature. The card is numbered 1/1, meaning it is the only one of its kind in the world. In February 2021, this card sold for $4,300,000 at a PWCC event, breaking the previous record for the most expensive football card ever sold.
1952 Topps Mickey Mantle – $12,600,000
Mickey Mantle is not a football player, but a baseball player who is widely regarded as one of the greatest of all time. He played for the New York Yankees from 1951 to 1968 and won seven World Series, three MVP awards, and several records. He was also a cultural icon and a hero to many fans. His 1952 Topps card is the most valuable baseball card ever sold, and also the most expensive football card ever sold. It features a photo of Mantle in his Yankees cap, with a blue sky background and a red nameplate. The card is from the first series of the 1952 Topps set, which is considered the most important and influential set in the hobby. The card is scarce, especially in high grade, due to its low production and distribution. In January 2021, a PSA 9 copy of this card sold for $12,600,000 at a PWCC event, shattering the previous record for the most expensive sports card ever sold.
