Nearly 30 years after his passing, New York Yankees legend Mickey Mantle is still breaking records. The all-time leader for home runs (18), RBIs (40) and runs (42) in a World Series is now also the face on the most expensive sports card ever sold.
In August 2022, a 1952 Mantle card went for $12.6 million at auction, absolutely shattering the previous high watermark. That prior figure was $7.25 million for an extremely rare Honus Wagner card, sold just weeks before the Mantle.
Now tied for No. 3 on the list of the most expensive cards ever is the 2003 Upper Deck Exquisite Collection Rookie Patch Autographs #78 LeBron James, bought for $5.2 million in April 2021. This is the most expensive basketball card ever.
Since James plays for the Los Angeles Lakers, that card also tops the list of the 10 highest-selling sports cards featuring California athletes. We should add that six out of the top 10 highest-selling sports cards feature athletes who either played in California or were born here.
Why California athletes appear so prominently on that overall list is a mystery. But their fame and domination are undeniable if you browse the iconic names on the list of the most expensive sports cards to feature California players. Check it out below.
| Price Paid | Athlete | Card | Date Sold | Notable Information | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | $5.2 Million | LeBron James (Los Angeles Lakers) | 2003 Upper Deck Exquisite Collection Rookie Patch Autographs #78 (07/23) | Apr. 26, 2021 | Highest-selling basketball card in history |
| 2. | $3.936 Million | Mike Trout (Los Angeles Angels) | 2009 Bowman Chrome Draft Prospects Superfractor Autograph | Aug. 23, 2020 | Seller "Vegas Dave" Oancea only paid $400,000 for the card. |
| 3. | $2.4 Million | LeBron James (Los Angeles Lakers) | 2003-04 Upper Deck Exquisite Collection Rookie Patch Autographs #78 (23/23) | Oct. 24, 2021 | The last of the limited first run |
| 4. | $2.252 Million | Tom Brady (Born in San Mateo, California) | 2000 Playoff Contenders Championship Rookie Ticket Autograph #144 | Apr. 3, 2021 | Highest-selling football card in history |
| 5. | $2 Million | Kobe Bryant (Los Angeles Lakers) | 1997 Metal Universe Precious Metal Gems - Green | Fe. 22, 2022 | 1/10 as only 100 total cards produced, 10 Green and 90 Red. |
| 6. | $1.795 Million | Kobe Bryant (Los Angeles Lakers) | 1996-97 Topps Chrome Refractors #138 Rookie Card | Mar. 6, 2021 | |
| 7. | $1.537 Million | LeBron James (Los Angeles Lakers) | 2003-04 Upper Deck Exquisite Collection Rookie Patch Autographs #78 (32/99) | Mar. 6, 2021 | Second run from 23 to 99 cards |
| 8. | $1.291 Million | LeBron James (Los Angeles Lakers) | 2004-05 Upper Deck Ultimate Signatures Logos #USL-LJ Signed Logoman Card | Mar. 6, 2021 | Record for a LeBron James non-rookie card. |
| 9. | $1.29 Million | Wayne Gretzky (Los Angeles Kings) | 1979 O-Pee-Chee (Gretzky Rookie card) | Dec. 13, 2020 | Highest-selling hockey card in history |
| 10. | $1.050 Million | Mike Trout (Los Angeles Angels) | 2011 Topps Update Platinum #US175 | Jul. 29, 2021 | Bought by Scott Keeney (DJ Skee) |
| 11. | $1.020 Million | Anthony Davis (Los Angeles Lakers) | 2012-13 Panini National Treasures #151 NBA Logoman Rookie Patch Autographs | Jan,.30, 2021 | |
| 12. | $1.005 Million | Reggie Jackson (California Angels) | 1969 Topps Rookie Card #260 - Dmitri Young Collection | Feb. 28, 2021 | |
| 13. | $960,000 | Stephen Curry (Golden State Warriors) | 2009-10 Panini National Treasures "Century Platinum" Rookie Patch Autograph | Jan. 30, 2021 | |
| 14. | $922,500 | Mike Trout (Los Angeles Angels) | 2009 Bowman Chrome Draft Red Refractor Autograph | May 20, 2020 | |
| 15. | $900,000 | LeBron James / Michael Jordan | Upper Deck Exquisite Collection Logoman | Feb. 2020 | Bought by collector Nat Turner |
| 16. | $720,000 | LeBron James | 2004 Topps Chrome Superfractor (1/1) | Oct. 3, 2020 | Record for non-autographed LeBron James card |
| 17. | $691,410 | Nolan Ryan (California Angels) | 1968 Topps Nolan Ryan rookie card | Aug. 26, 2016 | |
| 18. | $601,200 | Stephen Curry (Golden State Warriors) | 2009–10 Panini National Treasures "Century Gold" #206 Rookie Patch Autographs (10/25) | Dec. 12, 2020 | |
| 19. | $501,900 | Lew Alcindor / Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (Los Angeles Lakers) | 1969–70 Topps Rookie Card | Aug. 26, 2016 | Only Kareem Abdul-Jabbar rookie card. |