Fans and collectors will undoubtedly be divided on this one, but we’ve done our best to share our thoughts on the best sports trading cards available. From courtside to the rink, rest assured it's icons aplenty.
We’ve taken an objective look, focusing on what each player (or players) have added to the sport, how influential they have been for their teams, and the kind of careers they have had. We have rookie cards, a triple panel of NBA greats, and arguably the most famous sports card of all time. Shall we unpack things?
We kick things off by taking a look at some of the best sports cards to have been ripped through the years. We wonder if you’ll agree.
One of the GOATs, and a rookie card? This was always going to make the cut. This card sees Jordan attempting what would soon become an iconic part of his play – the soaring dunk. The red Chicago Bulls attire looks sharp and works well with the border, bringing the photo to life. Not to mention we’ve got that iconic 23 in the snapshot. It’s a fantastic card, and the price tag comes as no shock.
We head on over to the ice next for one of the most sought-after NHL cards of all time. This features the man himself, Wayne Gretzky, perhaps better known as the Great One. This is the Hall of Famer’s rookie card, too, and with the accolades and achievements that followed it is no surprise that this one makes our list. We’ll be honest, the price tag of a PSA 10 on this one is likely out of reach for many, but you can pick up an ungraded one for just over $700.
Next, we have one of the best baseball trading cards to ever exist, and arguably the most famous sports trading card in history. The Mickey Mantle #311 is considered to have birthed the craze of modern-era sports card collecting, and comes part of the full-art 1952 Topps series. Scarcity is always going to pump up the value of this one; however, Topps certainly added to things by dumping warehouse stock in the Hudson River. If you want a more accessible copy of this Yankees legend card, then Topps did run a reprint in 1983.
Over to the gridiron next, and time to share one of the best football cards to own: The Barry Sanders #257 Rookie. No, we aren’t Detroit fans, but we are football fans, and any true follower of the NFL would agree that Sanders is one of the all-time greats. 10 impressive seasons at the Lions, leading to 99 rushing TDs and over 15,000 rushing yards. This card is where it all began; who knew this sort of career would be lying ahead for him? In terms of price, we would consider this undervalued for a Rookie card from a player of this stature, and an ungraded card could be yours for around $55.
Finally, we have a triple panel featuring three NBA greats: Larry Bird (Celtics), Julius Erving (76ers), and Magic Johnson (Lakers). Bird and Johnson’s college rivalry revived an otherwise diminished NBA in the late 70s, with Erving effectively acting as a mentor for all that was to follow. The 80s saw Bird and Magic meet in three NBA finals, Bird and Erving had an on-court fight in their bid for Eastern Dominance, and the three of them finally had the chance to play together in the 1992 Olympics.
| Card | Number # | Set | PSA 10 value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Michael Jordan Rookie | 57 | 1986 Fleer | $263,750.00 |
| Wayne Gretzky Rookie | 18 | 1979 O-Pee-Chee | $2,046,726.57 |
| Mickey Mantle | 311 | 1952 Topps | $11,414,819.67 |
| Barry Sanders Rookie | 257 | 1989 Score | $2,171.33 |
| Bird/Erving/Magic triple panel | 34 | 1980 Topps | $38,700.00 |
Although value does come into collecting, you’ll find that the current market value isn’t the only thing that we focus on when creating our list of the best trading cards.
| Verified auction sales | It isn’t enough to have an estimated market value; we need to see recent sales for confirmation. |
|---|---|
| Historical significance | You’ll notice many of these cards are rookie cards, from a golden era of the sport, or have since gone on to become one of the GOATs |
| Fan base | It doesn’t matter whether you’re a Celtics, Lakers, or Sixers fan, that triple panel will still appeal to any NBA fan. We consider the bigger picture when making our final selections |
| Scarcity | The Mickey Mantle is a prime example. Having dumped a warehouse full of cards featuring one of the sporting greats, you now won’t find too many of these flying around |
| Graded population | For binder collectors, this won’t have much impact. However, sports card collectors will tend to look out for graded cards. Not only does this authenticate things, but it preserves them, too. |
| Sets | The sets these cards come from are worth noting, too. Again, the Mickey Mantle is considered the card that changed the game for modern collecting, and others come from prestigious sets packed with other hits |
It is also worth us mentioning that this isn’t where this guide ends. We plan to keep things updated with any changes to our rankings, so make sure you bookmark it and keep your eyes peeled.
There are plenty of ways for you to add to your collection – card shows, online sales, and even online card breaks – but which cards are right for your portfolio? In this section, we focus on how we might approach things in your position.
We all have our team, and many of us keep the collecting simple by choosing icons, impressive rookies, and even full rosters of certain eras. Whether you are a Sixer, a Bengal, an Oiler, a Yankee, or anything in between, this could be the route to go.
We have already touched on the resurgence of the NBA through the late 70s and 80s, and many collectors find that this era is a fantastic time for card fans as well. Fierce rivalries, true one-team icons, legendary drafts (John Stockton, Charles Barkey, and Michael Jordan), and that fast-paced style of play made for some great viewing – what more could you ask for?
What can we say? The 90s was packed with stars. TV coverage was much higher, too, so we started to see global expansion and the likes of Kobe, Shaq, Sanders, and Rice became household names not only in the US but across the pond. Many consider this to be a fantastic era to collect, and it is easy to see why.
There are some in this list that are simply out of reach. From a financial perspective, we don’t all have thousands to drop on PSA 10s. However, that doesn’t mean that all-star picks are off the table. In fact, we find plenty of collectors who opt for ungraded grails, cutting the cost and still managing to have hold of some iconic pieces of history.
This guide on the best sports trading cards has showcased some of the finest stars and moments in sporting history. Although not all of our picks will be in your list of must-have grails, we would like to think that many sports fans can agree on the influence these athletes have had in respective leagues and teams.
Now, all that remains is to decide how you plan to collect sports trading cards. Will you consider the NBA’s renaissance era, look at an all-star binder, or even focus your sights on some of the most sought-after PSA 10s available? Ready to get started? Explore the platforms featured in this guide, compare their packs and card breaks, and begin building your sports trading card collection today.
As with anything sports-related, the best sports trading card is a little subjective. However, for the most part, the Mickey Mantle #311 (1952 Topps) is considered the best sports card rip of all time.
Sports trading cards can be purchased and traded at local card shows, bought directly online, and won through card break sites.
One of the great things about collecting is that there is no right or wrong way to do it. For the NBA, the 70s and 80s are often viewed as a top era to collect. However, any era is a good era if it suits you.
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