News

Got a dusty box of old baseball cards stashed in the attic? You might be sitting on a gold mine. Like those vinyl records and cassette tapes that keep popping up on eBay for jaw-dropping prices, some baseball cards can sell for serious cash. Especially if they feature legendary players or are in pristine condition.

From the Babe to the Iron Horse, here are 13 cards that have fetched small fortunes at auction.

1. 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle
   This card is basically the holy grail for collectors. A 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle sold for a mind-blowing $12.6 million in 2022. Mantle’s legendary career plus the card’s vibrant color photos — a first at the time — make it one of the most coveted collectibles on the market.

2. 2009 Mike Trout Bowman Chrome Draft Prospects Superfractor Autograph 1/1
   A modern classic, this one-of-a-kind autographed Trout card sold for nearly $4 million. Trout’s status as one of baseball’s best, combined with the fact that only one exists, makes it a prized piece for serious collectors.

3. 1914 Babe Ruth Baltimore News
   Only a handful of these cards exist, showing Ruth before his Yankees days, back when he was a minor leaguer. One sold for $7.2 million, proving even rookies can rake in big bucks.

4. 1909 Sherry Magee T206 Error
   This one’s all about the typo. The card was initially printed with “Magie” instead of “Magee,” and while most copies were corrected, the error version remains highly sought after. One sold for $660,000, thanks to its rarity.

5. 1933 Babe Ruth Goudey Sport Kings #2
   Babe Ruth’s grin on this card has charmed collectors for decades. It’s sold for as much as $1.2 million, with prices on eBay ranging from high thousands to over $80,000.

6. 1909 Honus Wagner T206
   This is the most famous baseball card of all time. Wagner’s refusal to let his face be used in tobacco ads limited the print run, making the card ultra-rare. A version sold privately for $7.25 million.

7. 1909-11 Eddie Plank T206
   Printing issues meant this card was pulled from production, and now only a few exist. One sold for $850,000, cementing its status as a hobby heavyweight.

8. 1948 Jackie Robinson Leaf RC #79
   Celebrating Robinson’s rookie season, this card is a piece of American sports history. One sold for $468,000, driven by its historical importance.

9. 1909 Shoeless Joe Jackson American Caramel
   Despite his role in the infamous Black Sox Scandal, Jackson’s legend lives on. This early card fetched $667,189 at auction. Fun fact: He got his nickname after playing a game in his socks when new cleats gave him blisters.

10. 1933 Lou Gehrig Goudey #160
    The “Iron Horse” left his mark on baseball history — and on the collectibles market. A well-preserved Gehrig card from the 1933 Goudey set has sold for close to $600,000.

11. 1954 Topps Hank Aaron Rookie
    Aaron’s rookie card is as vibrant as his swing. Mint condition copies have sold for as much as $358,000. The “Home Run King” sure knew how to hit — and apparently how to make cards valuable too.

12. 1955 Roberto Clemente Topps Rookie
    Beloved for his humanitarian work as much as his game, Clemente’s rookie card is a treasure. One sold for over $100,000, especially prized since Clemente’s life was tragically cut short in a plane crash.

13. 1963 Pete Rose Topps Rookie
    Before the gambling ban overshadowed his legacy, Rose racked up more hits than anyone else in MLB history. A mint condition rookie card of the “Hit King” has sold for $717,000.

Wondering if you’ve got hidden treasures in your attic? You might just find that your childhood hobby is now worth a small fortune.