40 Trading Cards Now Worth A Fortune
Were you a big trading card collector back in the day? Yes? Well listen closely. Get yourself up to the attic right now and dust those babies off, because some of them could be worth a load of cash. If you’re skeptical, just take a look at the 40 cards we’ve listed here. Not only are they extremely valuable, but there are a few surprises dotted around, too!
40. LeBron James Miami Heat
Year: 2013
Brand: Panini Prizm
Value: $349.99
As part of the Panini Prizm line, this LeBron James trading card first dropped in 2013. And it’s a real beaut, rocking the coveted PSA Gem Mint ten rating. Topping that scale means the card’s practically flawless. Anyway, at the time of writing, one of these was up for sale at nearly $350 on eBay, so check your shelves.
39. NBA Rookie Card Kevin Garnett
Year: 1995
Brand: TOPPS FINEST
Value: $464.42
There’s something alluring about embossed trading cards, wouldn’t you agree? The raised lettering alone gives them a classy finish. Sorry to go all Patrick Bateman there! And this TOPPS FINEST effort from 1995’s a real winner. It’s an NBA Rookie Card for Kevin Garnett, and you could earn some easy money by selling it. At present, one with a PSA nine rating is valued at more than $460 online.
38. Poliwag 1st Edition Shadowless
Year: 1999
Brand: Pokémon
Value: $499.95
PSA 10
It’s difficult to put into words just how big Pokémon trading cards were in the past. They were a true cultural phenomenon. And guess what? Some of them are worth a wedge of cash right now – even the lesser-known characters. Take Poliwag, for example. A first edition, PSA Gem Mint ten card was up for grabs for close to $500 on eBay at the time of writing. We’re serious!
37. LeBron James Los Angeles Lakers
Year: 2018/19
Brand: Panini Prizm Mosaic
Value: $500.00
Ah the shiny – these bad boys are some of the crown jewels in trading card collections. So it should come as no surprise that they’re pretty valuable. This “Mosaic” effort from Panini Prizm’s an example of that, with LeBron James in full flight during the 2018/19 NBA season. Rocking the PSA Gem Mint ten rating, it currently has a $500 price tag on eBay.
36. Magnemite 1st Edition Base Set
Year: 1999
Brand: Pokémon
Value: $549.95
PSA 10
Pokémon boasted some incredibly cool characters when it first started. Magnemite was one of our personal favorites. Yes, we know it was essentially a floating magnet, but still! Anyway, if you happen to own a first edition trading card with this guy on it from 1999, you could make quite the windfall. A PSA ten’s on sale for nearly $550 on the internet at present.
35. Koffing 1st Edition Shadowless
Year: 1999
Brand: Pokémon
Value: $549.95
PSA 10
Any Koffing fans out there? We hear you... just about. In all seriousness, though, this lower-end Pokémon character might earn you a pretty penny if you picked up a first edition back in 1999. At the time of writing, a PSA ten held a value of close to $550 on eBay.
34. Kobe Bryant
Year: 1996/97
Brand: Topps Chrome Youthquake
Value: $599.99
Before Kobe Bryant became one of the NBA’s biggest stars, he was an exciting up-and-comer in the mid-1990s. The 1996/97 season marked his debut campaign in the league, with Topps Chrome recognizing that with a “Youthquake” trading card. That shiny bronze effort’s now worth a lot of money. At the moment, an eBay user is selling theirs for just under $600.
33. Captain America
Year: 2015
Brand: Fleer Retro Marvel Precious Metal Gems Red
Value: $799.99
Yep, metal trading cards are indeed a thing. And they look awesome! On top of that, some of the Fleer Retro Marvel efforts could bring in a lot of cash today, too. At the time of writing, a 2015 “Precious Metal Gems Red” Captain America was up for grabs for close to $800 on eBay. Not quite Tony Stark money, but still.
32. Allen Iverson Philadelphia 76ers
Year: 1996
Brand: Topps Chrome
Value: $899.99
Topps Chrome trading cards are some of the coolest-looking collections out there. Keeping that in mind, a few of the older pieces are valued quite highly right now, such as this Allen Iverson card from 1996. At this precise moment, an eBay user has a PSA nine on sale for nearly $900. Have you got one stored away somewhere?
31. Giannis Antetokounmpo
Year: 2013/14
Brand: Panini Prizm
Value: $980.00
PSA 10
The quality of Panini Prizm trading cards can’t be questioned – we could admire the embossed finish around the sides all day. So that might explain why these bad boys are in-demand on the internet. Take this PSA ten effort with NBA star Giannis Antetokounmpo on the front from 2013/14. At the time of writing, it was available for $980. Big bucks!
30. Mike Trout Prospect Trading Card
Year: 2011
Brand: Bowman’s Best
Value: $999.99
Got any Bowman’s Best trading cards lying around? You do? Awesome, listen up. Some of this brand’s collectibles are valued at eye-popping sums today, such as baseball star Mike Trout’s prospect card from 2011. At present, a PSA ten could fetch you nearly $1,000 on eBay – trust us, that’s not a typo.
29. LeBron James
Year: 2005
Brand: Topps ’52 Style Chrome Refractor
Value: $1,025.00
If you can name a nicer trading card set than Topps ’52 Style Chrome Refractors line, we’d love to hear it. These collectibles are beautiful, and they’re worth a lot of cash at the moment. For instance, a PSA ten LeBron James from 2005’s currently priced at $1,025 online. Unbelievable, right?
28. Blastoise Base Set Holo
Year: 1999
Brand: Pokémon
Value: $1,279.35
PSA 9
Shiny Pokémon cards were arguably the most sought-after collectibles back in the day. They were absolutely mesmerizing. So some of them have to be pretty valuable today, right? Yep. Take this 1999 PSA nine Blastoise card as an example. At the time of writing, one was on sale for close to $1,300 on eBay. Wow!
27. Pikachu Mint 1st Edition
Year: 1999
Brand: Pokémon
Value: $1,414.39
PSA 8
As the de facto face of the Pokémon brand, Pikachu’s been in the mainstream spotlight for years now. But that’s got us wondering – how much are his old trading cards worth today? Well, if you happen to own a first edition from 1999, you could be in luck. At present, an eBay user has a PSA eight on sale for over $1,400. Pika Pika indeed.
26. Tom Brady 1995 Finest Rookie Gold Refractor
Year: 2015
Brand: Topps Finest
Value: $1,702.91
To say that the refractor cards from Topps Finest are cool would be a gross understatement. Just look at this 2015 effort, marking Tom Brady’s spell as a football novice in the mid-1990s. The colors are wild. And so are the valuations if the internet’s anything to go by. Yes, at the time of writing, a PSA nine was selling for over $1,700 online.
25. Luka Doncic
Year: 2018/19
Brand: Panini Ruby Wave Prizm
Value: $1,899.00
While plenty of vintage trading cards are worth a lot of money today, more recent efforts can bring in the bills as well. You only need to look at this Panini Ruby Wave Prizm card from the 2018/19 NBA season. With Luka Doncic jumping for the basket at the front, it’s currently priced at nearly $1,900 on eBay. Talk about a slam-dunk.
24. Zion Williamson
Year: 2019
Brand: Panini Prizm
Value: $1,999.00
PSA 10 GEM MINT
Zion Williamson has one of the coolest names in the NBA, so it’s only fitting that his 2019 Panini Prizm trading card is just as eye-catching. At the same time, it’s also pretty valuable online. Yes, a PSA ten is on sale for precisely $1,999 at the moment.
23. Tom Brady
Year: 2000
Brand: Vanguard Rookie Card
Value: $3,096.20
BGS Mint 9
Cast your minds back to the year 2000 – were you collecting NFL trading cards then? For those of you who did and kept hold of them, dig those babies out right now. A mint condition Tom Brady “Vanguard Rookie Card” was on sale for more than $3,000 on eBay at the time of writing. Easy money or what?!
22. 1st Edition Base Set Shadowless Holo Venusaur
Year: 1999
Brand: Pokémon
Value: $7,500.00
Venusaur was an absolute beast in the Pokémon world, so his shiny trading card was highly coveted back in 1999. And the prices online suggest that collectors are still desperate to get their hands on it. Currently, a first edition with a mint rating of 8.5’s going for $7,500. Incredible stuff.
21. Shining Charizard 1st Edition Neo Destiny
Year: 2002
Brand: Pokémon
Value: $9,310.83
Charizard was the holy grail when it came to Pokémon trading cards. We all wanted to grab one, but only a lucky few got their hands on them. Anyway, if you happen to own a 2002 first edition card from the Neo Destiny set, you could bring home a huge sum by selling it. At the time of writing, a PSA nine was available for more than $9,300 on eBay.
20. Sidney Crosby
Year: 2012/13
Brand: Fleer Precious Metal Gems Red
Value: $18,887.00
For those of you who collect hockey trading cards, this entry’s sure to get your mind racing. During the 2012/13 season, Fleer Retro dropped a set of “Precious Metal Gems Red” collectibles, including one for Sidney Crosby. And that card could now earn you thousands. We’re not exaggerating – one’s on sale for over $18,800 at the moment. Check your attic boxes!
19. Japanese Neo 3 Promo 600 Pt. Fan Club Shining Magikarp
Year: 2000
Brand: Pokémon
Value: $19,499.95
Sure, Magikarp isn’t one of Pokémon’s big-hitters, but the character got a special trading card back in the year 2000. Yes, as part of a promotion in Japan, a shiny was released to fan club members. Fast-forward two decades, and that collectible’s very valuable today. One eBay user put theirs up for nearly $19,500, before selling it for an undisclosed fee.
18. Charizard Holo Base Set II Gem Mint Pristine
Year: 2000
Brand: Pokémon
Value: $19,999.99
How much would you be willing to sell your Charizard trading card for? Come on, you can be honest with us. Still not budging, huh? Well, this might change your mind. At the time of writing, a PSA ten from the year 2000 was on sale for just under $20,000 on eBay. We can sense your shock from here!
17. LeBron James
Year: 2004
Brand: Topps Chrome Black Refractor
Value: $29,999.00
The Topps Chrome Black Refractor cards are incredibly sleek – no collector would turn their noses up at them. And they could also give your wallet the mightiest of boosts should you be looking to offload one. Currently, a PSA ten LeBron James card from 2004’s available for nearly $30,000 online.
16. LeBron James
Year: 2003
Brand: Topps Chrome Refractor
Value: $125,000.00
We’d be curious to know how many trading cards LeBron James has been featured on down the years. Too many to count would be our guess. Anyway, this 2003 Topps Chrome Refractor stands out from most of them. Why? Well, just look at the price. At the time of writing, a PSA ten was on sale for $125,000 on eBay. Do you have one?
15. EX Deoxys Gold Star Rayquaza Holo
Year: 2005
Brand: Pokémon
Value: $149,999.99
PSA 10
The EX Deoxys was yet another set in the world of Pokémon trading cards. And if you just so happen to have a rare “Gold Star” Rayquaza in your collection, we’d advise you to sit down for a minute. At present, a PSA ten from 2005 is available for nearly $150,000 online. That’s life-changing money.
14. Patrick Mahomes ROOKIE RC PATCH
Year: 2017
Brand: National Treasures
Value: $169,000.00
Unsurprisingly, autographed trading cards hold a special place in some people’s collections. At the same time, though, the current valuations online would test even the steeliest of resolves. Take this Patrick Mahomes National Treasures card from 2017 as an example. With a patch of fabric woven into it, it’s going for $169,000 at present.
13. Kobe Bryant
Year: 1996
Brand: Topps Chrome Refractor
Value: $199,999.00
If you’ve got a stockpile of Topps Chrome Refractor cards in your attic, dust them off and check each one. You might have the equivalent of a winning lottery ticket up there. At the time of writing, an eBay user was selling their PSA ten Kobe Bryant card from 1996 for just under $200,000. Amazing, right?
12. Base 1st Edition Charizard Holographic
Year: 1999
Brand: Pokémon
Value: $360,000.00
Any kind of Charizard card in a Pokémon collection will be sought-after by those who don’t own one. But the 1999 first edition cards are easily the most valuable of the lot. The website Goldin Auctions sold one for exactly $360,000. Tempted to let yours go at that price?
11. Patch Autograph Luka Doncic
Year: 2018/19
Brand: Panini National Treasures
Value: $570,000.00
Panini National Treasures is an incredibly cool trading card set, with each one including an autograph and a patch of the player’s jersey. Mind you, even if you own a Luka Doncic collectible from the 2018/19 season, it probably won’t be worth as much as this $570,000 PSA ten. Why? Well, no more than three of them with that rating exist.
10. Stephen Curry
Year: 2009/10
Brand: Panini National Treasures
Value: $601,200.00
It’s hard to imagine that a trading card could eventually be worth more money than a lottery win. But that’s the case with this Stephen Curry Panini National Treasures piece from 2009/10. Goldin Auctions sold it for over $600,000. Think of the fun you’d have with that cash!
9. Michael Jordan Rookie Card
Year: 1986/87
Brand: Fleer
Value: $720,000.00
Is Michael Jordan the most famous basketball star of all time? That’s a debate for another day, but one thing’s for sure: some of his old trading cards are insanely valuable now. Take this 1986/87 effort by Fleer. Rated at PSA ten, a buyer shelled out $720,000 for it online. That’ll get you a lot of Air Jordans.
8. Kevin Durant Signed Patch Rookie Card
Year: 2007/08
Brand: UD “Exquisite Collection”
Value: $780,000.00
UD’s “Exquisite Collection” is just that – a gorgeous set of trading cards with both jersey patches and autographs. Should you own any in mint condition, though, you might make an unimaginable sum of money by selling them. For instance, Goldin Auctions let a 2007/08 Kevin Durant card go for $780,000.
7. Luka Doncic Rookie Card
Year: 2018
Brand: Panini Prizm Gold Prizm
Value: $780,000.00
How about this for a rarity? In total, only ten of these “Gold Prizm” Panini cards were made in 2018, with Luka Doncic appearing on this one. On top of that, it’s rated PSA ten. No more than three of them hold that lofty title. So keeping that in mind, the $780,000 price tag online perhaps makes sense.
6. Michael Jordan
Year: 1997
Brand: Metal Universe Precious Metal Gems
Value: $1M
Did you collect Metal Universe trading cards at the back-end of the 1990s? You did? Awesome. If you’ve still got them in the house, carefully skim through each collectible. Should you stumble across a 1997 Michael Jordan card, we’ve got great news: it’s hugely valuable today. At the time of writing, a PSA six was being sold for $1 million on eBay. You’re reading that right!
5. Anthony Davis Signed Patch Rookie Card
Year: 2012/13
Brand: National Treasures
Value: $1.02M
Before today, how pricey did you think old National Treasures trading cards were online? Something tells us that you wouldn’t have believed they cracked six figures, but here we are! Yes, Goldin Auctions sold a mint condition 2012/13 Anthony Davis card for exactly $1.02 million. Real nose-bleed numbers.
4. LeBron James Signed Rookie Card
Year: 2003/04
Brand: UD “Exquisite Collection”
Value: $1.8M
Who wouldn’t want a signed LeBron James trading card in their collection? Especially from UD’s “Exquisite” range. Then again, when you see what a 2003/04 piece was sold for online, you might be looking to let yours go. Yep, a buyer came up with $1.8 million to secure it on Goldin Auctions.
3. Pikachu Trainer Card
Year: 1997
Brand: Trophy
Value: $2M
When it comes to limited edition Pokémon cards, few can touch this effort from 1997. It’s a Trophy Pikachu Trainer card – one of only four in existence. Keeping that in mind, it boasts tremendous value online. An eBay user was aiming to offload their PSA eight for $2 million at the time of writing.
2. Tom Brady
Year: 2000
Brand: Playoff Contenders Championship Ticket
Value: $2.5M
Got any old Tom Brady trading cards lying around? If so, you could be sitting on a real goldmine. You see, the Playoff Contenders Championship Ticket card from the year 2000 currently has an astronomical valuation on eBay. At present, it’s being offered for $2.5 million. Picked your jaws off the floor yet?
1. Pikachu Illustrator
Year: 1998
Brand: Pokémon
Value: $3M
PSA 9 MINT
Forget your Charizards and your Rayquazas – the Pikachu Illustrator card is Pokémon’s most coveted collectible. As per the website Old Sports Cards, a publication in Japan named CoroCoro Comic awarded artists with these pieces for drawing up custom Pokémon characters. In total, only 39 were released into the wild. And at the time of writing, one of them was available for $3 million on eBay.