What is The Most Valuable Rookie Card Ever?

Rookie cards are usually the go-to choices if you’re a collector seeking out the most iconic hits of the hobby. However, figuring out the #1 card can be tough, with over a century of history to look through. Cut through the myths and find the highest-priced card ever with this Giant Sports Cards guide.

The Most Valuable Rookie Card Ever

This title goes to the 1914 Baltimore News Babe Ruth card, graded at a mere SGC 3 and sold for a whopping $7.2 million in 2023. What makes this card so valuable?

• Scarcity: Only 10 copies of this card are known to remain today, which is why even an SGC 3 grade is so expensive.

• Novelty: This rare card captures the iconic Yankees player before he played for the famous New York team. For the true die-hard fans, this is a one-of-a-kind memento of Ruth’s time playing for the Orioles as a 19-year-old.

• Legacy: Babe Ruth’s legacy has left a lasting imprint on the world of baseball cards. With over 700 career home runs and seven World Series titles, his cards are almost always valuable.

A Common Misconception

If you’re new to sports trading cards and mostly only familiar with Topps sports cards, you might have thought the 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle #311 would be the most valuable rookie card. This is a common misconception.

While the #311 Mickey Mantle is the highest-priced sports card ever at $12.6 million, it’s technically not a rookie card. Mickey Mantle’s true rookie card is actually the 1951 Bowman version, which is why we can’t consider the 1952 to be the most expensive rookie card.

This is also why we can’t call the 1909-11 T206 Honus Wagner the best rookie card. While this card is priced slightly higher than the Babe Ruth at $7.25 million, it’s unclear whether it’s even a rookie card in the first place. The history of sports cards is long and winding, and rookie cards didn’t really take off as a phenomenon until the 80s.

Collect The Most Valuable Rookie Cards

Whether you’re interested in the classics or new sports card releases, the best way to collect the greatest hits is at Giant Sports Cards. Save more on every hobby box with free shipping on orders over $199, and join the Giant Rewards Program for even bigger savings. Unbox Your Love Of The Game™ with the ultimate sports cards store.