A rare Mike Trout autographed rookie card sold for $3.94 million this weekend, setting a new record for the sale of a trading card. The sale is the latest example of the rising popularity — and price — of trading cards.
Previously, the highest price paid for a card was $3.12 million in 2016 for a 1909 Honus Wagner tobacco card. Dave Oancea, who sold the Trout card, told FOS last week he expected the card to break the record as vintage cards have been losing their luster compared to exclusive cards of modern stars. Earlier this summer, Oancea sold a Red Refractor Trout card for $922,500.
Trout made his MLB debut in 2011 and, at 29 years old, has already won three American League MVP awards.
Other items in the same auction:
$1 million: LeBron James Rookie Patch signed card
$600,000: 1968 Topps Nolan Ryan rookie card
$216,000: 1997-98 game-worn Michael Jordan jersey
$206,400: Michael Jordan Logoman Game Used Patch signed card
$182,400: Bowman Chrome Trout Orange Refractor card
$121,200: Panini Prizm World Cup Gold Prizm Kylian Mbappe card
![Feb 15, 2025; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; [Imagn Images direct customers only] Team United States forward Matthew Tkachuk (19) and Team Canada forward brandon Hagel (38) fight in the first period during a 4 Nations Face-Off ice hockey game at the Bell Centre.](https://frontofficesports.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/USATSI_25429594_168416385_lowres-e1739674194139.jpg?quality=100&w=1024)
