It’s been quite some time since I bought a pack of baseball cards. Kids today don’t appreciate anything that isn’t electronic so the baseball card (or sports card industry for that matter) is essentially obsolete. When I was younger I collected baseball cards like they were going to be worth their weight in gold someday. Sure, I played video games, but I spent most of the money that came my way on baseball cards. While the sports card industry may be a thing of the past there are still a select few who collect, trade and buy cards – even the rarest and most expensive cards. Which brings us to our topic today… Honus Wagner was a Hall of Fame baseball player. I don’t think anyone would call him the best player of all-time, but he has a special place in the history because of a 1909 T206 baseball card. The card is considered the Holy Grail of sports cards. Not only is it one of the rarest cards ever made, it’s one of the first ever. Getting your hands on this card is going to cost you a pretty penny as you can imagine. Check this purchase history..
2012, $1.2 million
In 2012, a VG-3 graded T206 Wagner was sold for more than $1.2 million. The purchase was made at auction by a anonymous New Jersey buy. This card has a nice story behind it, but it’s nothing like the card’s journey we mention next. While $1.2 million is an extraordinary amount to pay for a card, this is just the beginning.
2000, $1.35 million
In 2000, a “near mint 8” Wagner that was purchased by NHL Hall of Famer in 1991 was sold for $1.35 million on eBay. “The Gretzky Wagner” quickly became famous for its ridiculous sales price. The card was sold by a card collector in Southern California to an anonymous collector from that same region.
2013, $2.1 million
In 2013, the Wagner T206 set another sales record for a baseball card. According to reports, in an online sale by Goldin Auctions the Wagner brought in a whopping $2.1 million. To date, this is the most expensive baseball card sale on an online auction. Per company policy, the buyer was kept anonymous.
2007, $2.35 million
In 2007, the Wagner set a record for a baseball card sale at a live auction. Reports have indicated that ‘The Gretzky Wagner” was on the market again. SCP Auctions brokered the sale of this well-traveled card for the amount of $2.35 million to an anonymous buyer. It was one of the many times card had changed hands, yet it hasn’t traveled that much lately because of the next sale.
2008, $2.8 million
According to reports, Arizona Diamondbacks owner Ken Kendrick paid a jaw-dropping $2.8 million for “The Gretzky”. The card, which is known for being ‘Near Mint 8’ is the most expensive baseball card in the world. As you can see, this card is easily the most expensive ever sold and has a well-traveled history.
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