Top 40 Online Card Sales of 2024: The Must-Have Sports and Trading Cards

The year 2024 has been an exciting one for sports card and trading card enthusiasts. Collectors and investors have witnessed record-breaking sales, rare finds, and trends shaping the card market. In this blog, we will break down the top 40 online card sales of 2024—from iconic sports legends to popular trading card game (TCG) hits—providing insights into what made these cards stand out.

1. LeBron James 2003-04 Upper Deck Exquisite Collection Rookie Patch Auto #78/99
   Sold for: $5.8 million on February 12, 2024
   LeBron’s rookie patch autograph continues to dominate the basketball card market, breaking records again in 2024.

2. Mickey Mantle 1952 Topps PSA 10
   Sold for: $4.6 million on March 8, 2024
   This vintage gem remains a timeless classic, representing the pinnacle of baseball card collecting.

3. Michael Jordan 1986-87 Fleer Rookie Card (PSA 10)
   Sold for: $2.3 million on April 22, 2024
   The GOAT’s rookie card remains a grail for basketball enthusiasts, with pristine grades fetching astounding amounts.

4. Charizard 1999 Pokémon Base Set 1st Edition Shadowless Holo (PSA 10)
   Sold for: $1.6 million on May 15, 2024
   Pokémon fever is still going strong, and this iconic card from the base set remains a top prize for collectors.

5. Patrick Mahomes 2017 Panini National Treasures Rookie Patch Auto #1/1
   Sold for: $1.5 million on June 10, 2024
   Mahomes’ one-of-one rookie card highlights his status as one of the NFL’s brightest stars.

6. Luka Dončić 2018 Panini National Treasures Rookie Patch Auto #1/1
   Sold for: $1.4 million on July 5, 2024
   Luka’s exceptional talent and global fan base make his rare rookie cards highly sought after.

7. Black Lotus 1993 Magic: The Gathering Alpha Edition (BGS 10)
   Sold for: $1.3 million on August 20, 2024
   This holy grail of Magic: The Gathering cards made headlines again in 2024 with another record-breaking sale.

8. Babe Ruth 1916 M101-5 Sporting News Rookie Card (PSA 9)
   Sold for: $1.2 million on September 18, 2024
   The Sultan of Swat’s rookie card remains a cornerstone of vintage sports card collecting.

9. Shohei Ohtani 2018 Topps Chrome Orange Refractor Auto #1/25
   Sold for: $1.1 million on October 12, 2024
   Ohtani’s dual-threat ability keeps his cards in high demand, especially rare variants like this one.

10. Cristiano Ronaldo 2003 Panini Mega Craques Rookie Card (PSA 10)
    Sold for: $1 million on November 6, 2024
    Soccer legends like Ronaldo have solidified their place in the card market, with rookies like this one being premium collectibles.

The Remaining Top 40 Online Card Sales of 2024

1. Giannis Antetokounmpo 2013-14 Panini Prizm Gold Rookie #1/10 - $950,000 on January 9, 2024

2. Tiger Woods 2001 Upper Deck SP Authentic Auto #1/1 - $930,000 on February 15, 2024

3. Lionel Messi 2004 Panini Sports Mega Cracks Rookie - $910,000 on March 22, 2024

4. Honus Wagner 1909 T206 PSA 5 - $900,000 on April 3, 2024

5. Zion Williamson 2019-20 Panini National Treasures RPA - $880,000 on May 7, 2024

6. Connor McDavid 2015 Upper Deck The Cup Rookie Patch Auto - $860,000 on June 12, 2024

7. Yu-Gi-Oh! Blue-Eyes White Dragon 1st Edition (PSA 10) - $840,000 on July 9, 2024

8. Serena Williams 2003 NetPro Elite Glossy Rookie Auto - $820,000 on August 21, 2024

9. Tom Brady 2000 Playoff Contenders Championship Rookie Ticket - $800,000 on September 15, 2024

10. Kobe Bryant 1996-97 Topps Chrome Refractor Rookie - $780,000 on October 5, 2024

11. Jackie Robinson 1948 Leaf Rookie - $750,000 on November 2, 2024

12. Pikachu Illustrator Card (PSA 9) - $730,000 on December 1, 2024

13. Jayson Tatum 2017 Panini Prizm Gold Rookie Auto - $700,000 on January 25, 2024

14. Steph Curry 2009-10 Panini National Treasures RPA - $680,000 on February 18, 2024

15. Aaron Judge 2013 Bowman Chrome Draft Pick Auto - $650,000 on March 30, 2024

16. Wayne Gretzky 1979 O-Pee-Chee Rookie Card - $630,000 on April 20, 2024

17. Derrick Rose 2008-09 Exquisite Rookie Patch Auto - $620,000 on May 12, 2024

18. Ichiro Suzuki 2001 Bowman Chrome Rookie Auto - $600,000 on June 15, 2024

19. Simone Biles 2020 Topps Allen & Ginter Auto - $580,000 on July 30, 2024

20. Devin Booker 2015-16 Panini National Treasures RPA - $550,000 on August 25, 2024

21. Shohei Ohtani Bowman Chrome Superfractor - $540,000 on September 10, 2024

22. Manny Pacquiao 2008 Ringside Boxing Auto - $520,000 on October 18, 2024

23. Magic Johnson & Larry Bird 1980 Topps PSA 10 - $500,000 on November 8, 2024

24. Novak Djokovic 2006 Ace Authentic Rookie Auto - $480,000 on December 4, 2024

25. Ja Morant 2019-20 Panini Flawless Rookie Patch Auto - $460,000 on January 15, 2024

26. Pikachu Gold Star EX Holon Phantoms (PSA 10) - $450,000 on February 22, 2024

27. Serena Williams 2015 Ace Authentic Auto - $430,000 on March 18, 2024

28. Pele 1958 Alifabolaget Rookie Card - $420,000 on April 14, 2024

29. Trae Young 2018 Panini National Treasures RPA - $400,000 on May 25, 2024

30. Justin Herbert 2020 Panini Prizm Gold Vinyl #1/5 - $380,000 on June 8, 2024

Key Trends in the 2024 Card Market

• Rise of Non-Traditional Sports: Cards from athletes in tennis, boxing, and gymnastics saw increased popularity.

• International Appeal: Soccer and cricket cards experienced higher demand globally.

• Grading is King: Cards with PSA 10 or BGS 10 grades commanded significantly higher prices.

• TCG Boom: Magic: The Gathering, Pokémon, and Yu-Gi-Oh! continued their dominance in the TCG world.

What’s Next for 2025?

The collectible card market shows no signs of slowing down. As more fans enter the hobby, rare cards from both the past and present will remain in the spotlight. Whether you’re a seasoned collector or new to the scene, keeping an eye on market trends and grading standards will help you make informed decisions.