Most Expensive Baseball Card Sold At Auction
Baseball cards have been a popular collectible item for decades, with some rare cards selling for millions of dollars at auction. The most expensive baseball card ever sold at auction is the T206 Honus Wagner, which sold for a staggering $3.12 million in 2016. In this article, we will take a closer look at the history and significance of this iconic baseball card.
The History of the T206 Honus Wagner Card
The T206 Honus Wagner card was produced by the American Tobacco Company between 1909 and 1911 as part of their T206 series. Honus Wagner, also known as "The Flying Dutchman," was a legendary baseball player who played for the Pittsburgh Pirates from 1897 to 1917. Wagner was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1936.
The reason for the rarity of the T206 Honus Wagner card is not entirely clear. Some speculate that Wagner did not want to be associated with tobacco products and had the production of the card halted. Others believe that Wagner simply did not sign as many cards as other players, making his card much rarer.
The Sale of the T206 Honus Wagner Card
The T206 Honus Wagner card has had several owners over the years, each selling it for a higher price than the last. The most recent sale of the card was in 2016, when it sold for $3.12 million at Goldin Auctions. The buyer of the card is still unknown.
The previous sale of the T206 Honus Wagner card was in 2013, when it sold for $2.1 million to an anonymous buyer. Before that, it was owned by hockey legend Wayne Gretzky and was sold for $1.2 million in 2000.
The Significance of the T206 Honus Wagner Card
The T206 Honus Wagner card is considered to be the Holy Grail of baseball cards. It is not only the most expensive baseball card ever sold at auction, but it is also one of the rarest. There are believed to be only around 60 to 200 copies of the card in existence, with most of them in poor condition.
The T206 Honus Wagner card is also significant because of the controversy surrounding its production. The American Tobacco Company was accused of using child labor to produce the cards, which led to public outcry and eventually resulted in the creation of child labor laws in the United States.
Other Expensive Baseball Cards
While the T206 Honus Wagner card is the most expensive baseball card ever sold at auction, there are many other expensive baseball cards that have sold for millions of dollars. Some of these include:
- The 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle card, which sold for $5.2 million in 2021.
- The 1909-1911 T206 Eddie Plank card, which sold for $3.6 million in 2018.
- The 1916 Babe Ruth rookie card, which sold for $4.2 million in 2016.
Conclusion
The T206 Honus Wagner card is not only the most expensive baseball card ever sold at auction, but it is also one of the rarest and most significant. Its sale for $3.12 million in 2016 was a testament to its value and importance in the world of baseball card collecting. While there are many other expensive baseball cards out there, the T206 Honus Wagner card will always hold a special place in the hearts of collectors and baseball fans alike.