Summary
The NFL is one of the most popular sports leagues in America, with millions of passionate fans. Naturally, in a league with such a large following, interest in players and their cards is also very high. Football cards tangibly represent key moments in players’ careers, their season performances, and the marks they leave in history.
Rookie cards, in particular, hold great significance as they symbolize thebeginning of a player’s career. These cards are not just reflections of performance but also tools that keep the sport’s passion and history alive. Their popularity comes from factors like limited production, autographs, or patches. Collectors value these cards not only visually but as rare items that connect them directly to the players. In this list, we present the most valuable football cards.
$475,000
$570,000
The year 2017 marks Patrick Mahomes’ rookie year in the professional card market and the release of his first officially recognized card series. The Panini Prizm Gold Vinyl set is a limited edition variation, distinct from regular Prizm cards, featuring a shiny, metallic, and gold-colored design. Only five copies of this card were produced.
In 2017, Mahomes was drafted into the NFL and began his career with the Kansas City Chiefs. Although he was not yet a regular starter that season, he went on to become one of the NFL’s biggest stars by winning MVP awards and Super Bowl championships in the following years. This card symbolizes the beginning and rise of Mahomes’ remarkable career.
$600,000
$720,000
The National Treasures series is one of the most prestigious and high-quality collections in American football cards. The Stars & Stripes Patch Autographs variation features a patch taken from the player’s jersey as well as the player’s autograph. What makes this card even more unique is that only 13 copies exist.
The year 2017 marks Mahomes’ rookie year, when he was drafted into the NFL and began his professional career. Even in the early stages of his career, Mahomes attracted significant attention due to his exceptional talent and potential. With MVP awards and Super Bowl victories, he has become one of thegreatest stars in NFL history.
N/A
$630,000
This card is part of the Panini National Treasures Black variation, one of the rarest parallels in the series. Only five copies of this card were produced.Designed for high-end collectors, its value is extremely high due to both its extreme scarcity and its featuring of an iconic player. The card includes a piece of Mahomes’ game-worn jersey and his original autograph.
It’s also worth noting that Black variations are visually striking and highly regarded for their design. At one point, this card sold for $630,000 on Goldin, setting a record. However, its price later dropped, with another copy selling for $180,000 in 2023.
$1,080,000
$1,253,214
The only difference between this card and the ones ranked eighth and ninth on the list is that this one is the Holo Gold variation. Only ten copies of this iconic rookie card of Patrick Mahomes were produced in this version. Holo Gold is a limited parallel edition that is significantly rarer than the base version and features eye-catching metallic gold details.
The card includes both Mahomes’ autograph and a piece of his jersey. While rarer parallels of the same card sold for $4,300,000 and $840,000 earlier in 2021, this particular card was sold on Goldin in 2023 for approximately $230,000.
Private sale
$1,100,000
$1,181,931
This card is one of the rarest and most prestigious items from Justin Herbert’s rookie season, marking the beginning of his professional NFL career. It belongs to the Black Finite variation of the Panini Prizm set, which is particularly notable for being a true one-of-one—only a single copy exists.
In the world of sports card collecting, such unique cards are highly valued due to their complete exclusivity. After entering the NFL in 2020, Herbert had a phenomenal rookie season and was named NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year. With his arm strength, football IQ, and leadership, he quickly emerged as one of the league’s most promising young quarterbacks. This card captures that early rise.
51935 National Chicle - Bronko Nagurski #34
The 1935 National Chicle set is the first fully licensed football card series in American football history, and Bronko Nagurski’s card is the most sought-after and iconic card in the set. Often referred to as the “Honus Wagner T206” of football cards, it carries a similar level of prestige to one of the most valuable cards in baseball history.
What makes Bronko Nagurski special is that he was one of the NFL’s first true superstars, achieving major success with the Chicago Bears during the 1930s. He also had a rare dual career as a professional wrestler. Due to the card’s age and the fragile nature of cards from that era, very few well-preserved copies exist. According to PSA, there isonly one card graded Mint 9, valued at $1,200,000 — making it a true treasure for collectors.
$1,700,000
$1,826,620
This Joe Burrow card is one of the most prestigious and valuable examples in American football card history. Its value stems first from being a rookie year card. Burrow was selected first overall in the 2020 NFL Draft by the Cincinnati Bengals, entering the league with high expectations. The National Treasures series is among the most luxurious and respected football card sets.
This card features Burrow’s autograph, belongs to the ultra-rare Platinum parallel, and is a true one-of-one—only a single copy exists worldwide. Although Burrow suffered a major injury in his rookie season, he led the Bengals to the Super Bowl in 2021, proving himself as one of the NFL’s brightest young quarterbacks.
$1,500,000
$1,800,000
This card is considered a grail-level piece in the world of sports card collecting. Its value stems primarily from its extreme rarity—only one copy was ever produced, making it entirely unique. The dramatic rise in its price is also due to its inclusion in a top-tier product line, its NFL Shield patch, and an on-card autograph.
It is tied to Justin Herbert’s rookie season in 2020, when he was unexpectedly named starting quarterback early on after being drafted sixth overall by the Los Angeles Chargers. This card was sold shortly after another Herbert card fetched $1,100,000, making him the third NFL player—after Tom Brady and Patrick Mahomes—with a million-dollar card sale.
$3,107,372.40
$3,605,743
This card is a legend in the sports card world. Considered one of the holy grails, it was released in 2000—the year Tom Brady began his NFL career—and is his rookie card. Brady is no ordinary rookie; he is one of the greatest, most successful, and influential quarterbacks in NFL history, with seven Super Bowl championships, three MVP awards, and countless records.
These achievements have driven the card’s value to astronomical levels. The Playoff Contenders series is known for its Rookie Ticket models, and signed versions are very rare. The autograph on this card is certified and authentic. Brady started as an overlooked player, with no one predicting his rise to stardom. This card represents the beginning of that journey and is a symbol of a success story for collectors.
$4,300,000
$4,989,648
Patrick Mahomes’ card, which holds the title as the most expensive football card ever, reigns supreme thanks to its incredible rarity and unique features. This card proudly showcases Mahomes’ authentic blue autograph alongside a genuine patch from his game-worn jersey.
With only one copy ever produced, it captures the very beginning of Mahomes’ NFL journey during his rookie season—a pivotal moment in his career. Though he hadn’t yet fully shined in that first year, this card symbolizes that crucial turning point. In 2022, it sold for an astounding price, breaking records and making waves throughout the collecting world. The buyer was a card shop in New Albany, Ohio, with the sale expertly handled by PWCC Marketplace.
