Sports memorabilia, especially trading cards, have become a hot commodity in recent years. The most valuable card on the market — and one of the most famous baseball cards of all time — a Honus Wagner T-206, set another record for the most expensive card ever sold.
A 1909-1911 Honus Wagner T-206 was recently purchased for $7.25 million. According to a report by USA Today. This broke the previous record, which was set by the same Honus Wagner card (which was rated lower) at $6.6 million.
Ken Golden, founder of sports memorabilia company Golden, oversaw the sale. Golden explained that the rarity of the Honus Wagner card drives its value. Collectors see it as the ultimate trophy on their mantel.
“It’s very rare,” Golden told USA TODAY Sports. “It’s a flag bearer for the industry, especially for cards. Anyone who gets into the hobby and has money, it’s a status symbol. ‘Do you have a Wagner?’ There are very few of them.”
The face of the most valuable trading card in existence, Wagner is best known for his 18 seasons with the Pittsburgh Pirates from 1900 to 1917. In his time with the Pirates, Wagner hit .328 with 82 home runs and 1,474 RBI. In 1909, Wagner helped lead Pittsburgh to a World Series championship.
After collecting a World Series ring and leading the National League in hitting eight times, Wagner was part of the inaugural class of the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1936. The Pirates retired Wagner’s number 20 years later in 1956.
