Sports collectibles and memorabilia have become a huge industry, wit sports fan and willing to pay top dollar for the best pieces of pieces of sports memorabilia.
Because of the boom in the sports memorabilia market, records as of late have been broken across the entire landscape, and today we get into wha those valuable items are and their sale price.
We’ve compiled a list of the four most valuable sports collectibles on the sold to date. From sports cards, to game worn jerseys, helmets, and shoes we’re giving you the top 4 most expensive pieces of memorabilia in the sports world and why sports collectors were willing to part ways with 7 to 8 figures for it.
1952 Topps Mickey Mantle
The 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle baseball card is not only considered the most valuable sports card ever produced but also the most expensive piece of sports memorabilia. While other baseball players’ cards are also highly coveted from Honus Wagner to Babe Ruth. It is Mickey Mantle who is the crown jewel of vintage baseball cards.
The card displays Mantle posing with the bat over his shoulder staring into the distance, but the simplicity of the card doesn’t take away from its value. Mantle’s stardom and skill on the diamond as one of the best players of that time (and even considered that til this day) adds to the value of the card.
The 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle sits at the top of the list as the most valuable baseball card and the most expensive sports memorabilia sold on auction at $12.6 million.
Michael Jordan 1998 NBA Finals Game 1 jersey
Michael Jordan is considered the best basketball player to ever play the game. With 6 NBA Championships and 6 NBA Finals MVP, he is credited by many for elevating the National Basketball Association to new heights and being a driving force for the globalization of the league. Thanks to all of these things Michael Jordan’s game-used jersey
But this is no regular game Jersey, The Michael Jordan jersey that had the wealthiest sports collectors bidding seven figures is his 1998 NBA Finals game-used jersey worn in Game 1 against the Utah Jazz. The 1998 season was known as the “Last Dance” for Jordan and that Chicago Bulls core making this moment even more special.
So, the value of his sports cards to game worn jerseys serve as a tangible reminder of how influential Jordan is to the sport of basketball and it showed when this game-used jersey sold for $10.6 million.
Diego Maradona’s “Hand of God” Argentina jersey
At some point we knew, the most popular sport was going to be represented and who better to represent football than one of two recipients for FIFA Player of the 20th Century, Diego Maradona. Football fans of the He has been called the greatest player of all time and the second coming of Pele. With 1 World Cup title as a member of Argentina’s National Team, 1 Spanish League Cup and Spanish Super Cup with FC Barcelona, and a record six Ballon d’Or awards.
The 1986 Hand of God Jersey is a special piece of sports memorabilia because this moment encapsulates one of the greatest soccer moments in history. Maradona and Argentina faced England in the World Cup and he finished with two goals that game, and one of them being known as the “Hand of God” where many who watched believed that Maradona illegally handled the ball to score over the keeper.
With these accolades, achievements, and controversy it makes sense that his game-worn jersey is one of the valuable pieces of sports history. This item sold for $9.3 million.
T-206 Honus Wagner Baseball Card
Next on our list of highest selling pieces of sports memorabilia, we go back to the diamond with one of the most sought after vintage baseball cards, the Pittsburgh Pirates’ Honus Wagner.
The T-206 Honus Wagner depicts the portrait of the first baseman wearing his iconic black hat and uniform. But as one of the first cards in history and it’s rarity, sports collectors are constantly on the hunt for a high graded version of this card.
The T-206 Honus Wagner is the second highest-selling sports card and the 4th expensive sports memorabilia item sold at $7.25 million.
That’s it for the most expensive sports memorabilia items! If you’re looking for a space to expand your collection, look no further and hop on the Loupe app today! Collect your favorites no matter the sport or time from trusted sellers. Sign up and join the community to get free Loupe credits on your first purchase!
