1 of 1 Cards: Here's Everything You Need To Know
Key Takeaways
- A 1/1 card has a production run of one, meaning it’s guaranteed to be the only card of its kind to ever exist.
- 1/1 cards aren’t the same as Pop 1 cards, which are cards that get their one-of-a-kind status from other factors, such as PSA grade, misprints, or ownership history.
1 of 1, or 1/1, signifies that a sports card is the only one of its kind in existence. Unsurprisingly, 1 of 1 baseball cards, football cards, basketball cards, and other sports cards are extremely coveted by collectors, as they represent the pinnacle of rarity and exclusivity.
Here’s everything you need to know about 1 of 1 cards!
Frequently Asked Questions
How rare is a 1/1 card?
A 1/1 card is the rarest possible card because only one will ever be produced, meaning you own a true one-of-a-kind card.
How do you value a 1/1 card?
There are many factors that determine the value of a 1/1 card, including its market demand, ownership history, condition, grade, brand, set, and featured player.
Should 1/1 cards be graded?
Getting 1/1 cards graded is a gamble. If the PSA (Professional Sports Authenticator) assigns a perfect grade, the card’s value could increase. However, a less-than-perfect grade could decrease its value.
Most experts recommend only getting 1 of 1 cards graded if you’re sure it’ll receive a PSA 10 (Gem-Mint) grade.
Learn more here: How to get Sports Cards Appraised Fairly.
Are 1/1 cards worth the risk?
Flipping sports cards for profit can be lucrative, but profit isn’t guaranteed. It’s important to thoroughly research your investment and perform a risk assessment on a card-by-card basis.
What is the most expensive 1/1 card?
The 2007-08 Upper Deck Exquisite Collection Dual Logoman Autographs Michael Jordan & Kobe Bryant card sold for $12,932,000 in August 2025, making it the most valuable sports card of all time, as of 2025.
1 of 1 vs. Population 1
It’s important to understand the difference between 1 of 1 cards and Population 1 (Pop 1) cards.
- 1 of 1: From the first second the card is printed, it’s guaranteed to be the only one of its kind that will ever exist.
- Pop 1: Pop 1 cards weren’t originally produced as 1/1s, but they’re one-of-a-kind cards due to other factors like grade, misprints, or ownership history.
1/1 Example:
Let’s say we have a Topps Transcendent Cut Babe Ruth 1 of 1 baseball card, which features a real Babe Ruth autograph sourced from a historical document. Before it was even printed, it was intentionally designed to be a 1 of 1 card. Reproducing that original signature is impossible.
Pop 1 Example:
There are around 50-60 known 1909 Honus Wagner T206 cards, but the “Gretzky” Wagner is the only one with a PSA 8 grade, as well as the only one once owned by hockey legend Wayne Gretzky. It’s technically a 1/1, but only because of its grade and ownership history.
How to Identify 1/1s
1/1s can take many different forms, so the first step is to get familiar with the specific sports card manufacturer and product line.
For example, let’s say you’re ripping packs from a Panini National Treasures football hobby box, hoping to find 1 of 1 football cards. Here are some of the 1/1s to watch for:
- NFL Shield 1 of 1 cards have an NFL logo patch made from the player’s game-used jersey.
- Rookie Patch Autograph (RPA) Platinum cards have a patch accompanied by a signature.
- Laundry Tag cards feature tags from game-worn jerseys.
- Printing Plate cards feature the actual plate used to print the card.
Besides these types of product-specific attributes, a 1/1 card will usually have “1/1” stamped on it.
Chase the Hits at Giant Sports Cards
Giant Sports Cards is the sports card store you can count on for the latest and greatest sports card releases, including boxes and cases that could contain high-value 1 of 1 cards.
Whether you’re hunting for 1 of 1 baseball cards for your collection or investing in wholesale basketball cards for your store, you’re in the right place. Grab yours today, and have a blast chasing the hits!