The Top 5 Most Expensive Sports Cards Sold on eBay Last Week (Aug. 31–Sept. 6, 2025)
From modern marvels to hobby royalty, eBay remains a proving ground for high-stakes cardboard. Last week, five standout sales reminded us why scarcity, storylines, and star power continue to dominate collector wallets. Whether it’s a golden Brady Kaboom or a well-worn Mickey Mantle, these are the cards that stopped scrolling and started bidding wars.
1. 2021 Panini Absolute Kaboom! Gold #K24 Tom Brady Patriots #/10 POP 3 PSA 10 — $123,556
Sold on Sunday, Aug. 31
Kaboom! inserts are already hobby royalty — but when you take Tom Brady, slap him in a Patriots jersey, gold-foil that card to just 10 copies, and then grade it PSA 10? You get an explosive $123K result.
This Gold Kaboom! is a Pop 3 in PSA 10, making it one of the cleanest examples of one of Brady’s most desirable modern inserts. While most Kabooms are cartoon chaos, this one is calculated, crisp, and commanding. It captures the GOAT in his prime New England glory, at the peak of insert design — a lethal combo for collectors who chase rarity, condition, and iconic legacy.
2. 2019 Panini Prizm Color Blast #CBPM Patrick Mahomes II SSP Case Hit PSA 10 — $90,100
Sold on Monday, Sept. 1
Color Blast inserts are like fireworks on cardboard — and this Mahomes PSA 10 is an absolute showstopper.
Printed as ultra-short prints (SSPs), Color Blasts only fall once per case, making them among the toughest modern inserts to pull. This Mahomes, in pristine PSA 10 condition, fetched $90,100 — a huge number for a non-auto, non-numbered card. It’s a testament to how far Mahomes’ market has come and how much collectors value aesthetics, rarity, and quarterback royalty.
The Color Blast’s minimal white background lets Mahomes’ image pop like a digital masterpiece. Add his MVPs, Super Bowl rings, and early Hall of Fame trajectory? This card is pure investment-grade eye candy.
3. 2017 Panini Select Tie Dye Prizm Patrick Mahomes Rookie Auto /10 RS-PM — $49,999
Sold on Sunday, Aug. 31
If the Color Blast is sleek and silent, this Tie Dye Mahomes is loud and lethal.
Numbered to just 10 copies, this rookie autograph comes from Panini Select’s Tie Dye Prizm parallel — a fan-favorite for its wild patterns and short print runs. The auto is on-card, the scarcity is real, and the player is arguably the most bankable name in football cardboard.
As Mahomes continues to chase greatness, rare rookie autos like this are becoming blue-chip stock in the hobby. Whether you’re a flipper, investor, or collector — cards like this are the crown jewels of the modern NFL landscape.
4. 1952 Topps Set-Break #311 Mickey Mantle PSA 1.5 FR — $49,600
Sold on Sunday, Aug. 31
Even in a 1.5 grade, the Mick still moves mountains.
The 1952 Topps Mantle is the holy grail of post-war baseball — a symbol of Americana, hobby history, and blue-chip collecting. This low-grade example brought in just under $50K, proving once again that condition takes a back seat when the card is this iconic.
This wasn't just any set break — it was a chance to own a piece of legend. Whether you're looking for nostalgia, long-term investment, or just a slice of history, the ’52 Mantle remains untouchable in its allure.
5. 1933 Sport Kings Gum Football #6 Jim Thorpe PSA 8 — $47,890
Sold on Sunday, Aug. 31
Jim Thorpe might be the most underrated legend in cardboard history — but the market is waking up.
This PSA 8 copy of Thorpe’s 1933 Sport Kings card is a vintage monster. It’s rare, clean, and historically important. Thorpe wasn’t just a football star — he was a two-time Olympic gold medalist, a baseball pro, and widely considered one of the greatest athletes of all time.
Cards like this don’t hit the market often in high grade, and when they do, savvy vintage collectors don’t blink. Nearly $48K for a pre-war football icon? That’s not hype — that’s overdue recognition.
Why These Sales Matter
This week was a snapshot of what drives today’s hobby: iconic rookies, rare parallels, nostalgic grails, and the steady rise of football across eras. From pre-war legends to ultra-modern case hits, collectors are placing serious bets on both history and hype. If you’re building a portfolio or chasing grails, last week’s top sales offer a playbook on what wins.