Sports memorabilia is a multi-billion-dollar industry, with collectors willing to pay staggering amounts for rare and historic items. From game-worn jerseys to legendary baseball cards, here are the five most expensive sports memorabilia ever sold:
Mickey Mantle’s 1952 Topps Baseball Card – $12.6 Million
The holy grail of baseball cards, a 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle card in near-perfect condition, shattered records when it sold for $12.6 million in 2022. Mantle, a New York Yankees legend, remains one of the most beloved players in baseball history, making this card an incredibly valuable piece of sports history.
Michael Jordan’s 1998 NBA Finals Jersey – $10.1 Million
Worn during Game 1 of the 1998 NBA Finals, Michael Jordan’s Chicago Bulls jersey sold for $10.1 million in 2022. This season, known as “The Last Dance,” was Jordan’s final championship run with the Bulls, making this jersey one of the most valuable basketball collectibles ever.
Diego Maradona’s “Hand of God” Jersey – $9.3 Million
The jersey worn by Diego Maradona during Argentina’s infamous 1986 World Cup quarterfinal match against England sold for $9.3 million in 2022. Maradona scored both the controversial “Hand of God” goal and the “Goal of the Century” in this match, cementing its place in football history.
Honus Wagner’s T206 Baseball Card – $7.25 Million
The T206 Honus Wagner baseball card, printed between 1909 and 1911, is one of the rarest and most sought-after cards in the world. Due to its limited production, collectors consider it the ultimate prize, with one card selling for $7.25 million in 2022.
Babe Ruth’s 1928-1930 Yankees Jersey – $5.64 Million
Babe Ruth, one of baseball’s greatest icons, had his game-worn New York Yankees jersey from 1928-1930 sold for $5.64 million in 2019. The Sultan of Swat’s memorabilia has always been in high demand, and this jersey is one of the most treasured artifacts in sports history.
These record-breaking sales show just how valuable sports history can be. Whether it’s a legendary athlete’s jersey or a rare trading card, sports memorabilia continues to fetch astronomical prices!
