If you’re a collector or investor of the rarest sports cards, the chances are that you’ve heard of these iconic items. They are the stuff of legend, the rarest and some of the most coveted cards in the hobby. But what makes them so valuable? Let’s take a closer look at the 10 most iconic sports cards of all time and find out.

The 10 most iconic sports cards of all time 

1. 1919-1911 Honus Wagner T206 (eBay)

The Honus Wagner T206 is widely considered the Holy Grail of baseball cards. Only about 60 to 200 cards are believed to exist, with the majority in poor condition. The card’s value is largely due to Wagner’s popularity as a player, as well as the card’s rarity. In 2016, a Wagner T206 in near-mint condition sold for a whopping $3.12 million at auction, making it the most expensive baseball card ever sold.

Check prices for Honus Wagner T206 on eBay

2. 1952 Topps Baseball Mickey Mantle #311 (eBay)

​​

The 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle is considered the most iconic baseball card of the post-war era. The card features a classic image of Mantle posing with his bat, and is highly sought after by collectors. Its value derives from its rarity, with only a few hundred known to exist, as well as Mantle’s legendary status as one of the greatest baseball players of all time. In 2018, a 1952 Topps Mantle in near-mint condition sold for $2.88 million at auction.

Check prices for 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle on eBay

3. 1916 M101-5 Babe Ruth #151 (eBay)

The 1916 M101-5 Babe Ruth is one of the earliest cards featuring the legendary baseball player. The card features a young Ruth in his Boston Red Sox uniform and is highly sought after by collectors. Its value is driven by its rarity and Ruth’s status as one of the greatest baseball players of all time. In 2016, a PSA 9 graded 1916 Babe Ruth card sold for $717,000 at auction.

Check prices of 1916 M101-5 Babe Ruth on eBay

4. 1933 Goudey Nap Lajoie #106 (eBay)

The 1933 Goudey Napoleon Lajoie card is known for being one of the most difficult cards to find in the hobby. The card features the legendary baseball player in his Cleveland Indians uniform. It’s especially valuable due to Lajoie’s status as one of the greatest second basemen of all time. In 2016, a PSA 8 graded 1933 Lajoie card sold for $381,000 at auction.

Check prices of 1933 Goudey Nap Lajoie on eBay

5. 1948 Bowman Stan Musial #36 (eBay) 

The 1948 Bowman Stan Musial card is considered one of the most important rookie cards in baseball history. The cards are smaller than modern options, using simple black and white images of the best players from the era. This card is often preferred to the earlier 1947 Homogenized Bond Bread Stan Musial release, mostly due to brand recognition. It’s worth noting that Musial refused to be featured on Topps cards until 1958. There aren’t as many vintage cards featuring the player as a consequence. 

Check prices of 1948 Bowman Stan Musial on eBay

6. 1951 Bowman Willie Mays #305 (eBay) 

1951 Bowman Baseball is where you’ll find the sole Willie Mays RC, featuring a great illustration of the legendary slugger. The 1951 Bowman is undoubtedly the most valuable Mays rookie card ever produced, in a checklist that contains 30 Hall of Famers. 

Each card front shows a player’s likeness. Many were famous photographs enhanced by painted color and embellished by the player’s name in a caption.

Check prices of 1951 Bowman Willie Mays on eBay

7. 1951 Bowman Baseball Mickey Mantle #253 (eBay)

1951 Bowman Baseball is where you’ll find Mantle’s true rookie card, featuring the Hall of Famer in a traditional batting pose.

Considered one of the more iconic baseball cards ever made, it features a young Mickey Mantle and is highly sought after by collectors. It’s known for its beautiful design and scarcity, making it a valuable addition to any collection. 

Check prices of 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle #311 on eBay

8. 1986-87 Fleer Michael Jordan #57 (eBay)

Michael Jordan’s rookie card is a must-have for any basketball card collector. It’s the most valuable card from the 1980s and helped usher in the era of modern basketball cards. Its popularity is due to Jordan’s status as one of the greatest basketball players of all time and the rarity of the card.

Check prices of 1986-87 Fleer Michael Jordan #57 on eBay

9. 1966-67 Topps Bobby Orr #35 (eBay)

Bobby Orr’s rookie card is one of the most iconic hockey cards of all time. It features Orr in action, gliding across the ice, and is sought after by hockey card collectors around the world. It’s a testament to Orr’s skill and legacy as one of the greatest hockey players in history.

Check prices of 1966-67 Topps Bobby Orr #35 on eBay

10. 2003-04 Topps Chrome LeBron James RC #111 (eBay)

LeBron James’s rookie card is one of the most iconic basketball cards of the modern era. It features a young LeBron in his Cleveland Cavaliers uniform and is highly sought after by collectors. The card is valued for its rarity and James’s status as one of the greatest basketball players of all time. It’s a must-have for any basketball card collector looking to complete their collection.

• Parallels: Refractors, Black Refractors #/500, X-Fractors #/220, Gold Refractors #/50, Printing Plates 1/1

Check prices of 2003-04 Upper Deck LeBron James #301 on eBay

Summary 

In conclusion, these 10 iconic sports cards are not only valuable but are also significant pieces of sports history. Each card represents a moment in time and captures the essence of the athlete’s skill, talent, and impact on their respective sport. Whether you’re a seasoned collector or just starting out, owning one of these cards is a prized possession and a reminder of the greats who have come before us. The rarity, design, and cultural significance of these cards have made them sought-after by collectors around the world. So, if you’re looking to start or expand your sports card collection, these iconic cards are a great place to start.