The Top 5 Most Expensive Sports Cards Sold on eBay Last Week (August 17–23, 2025)
Every week, collectors chase grails, chase nostalgia, and chase history on eBay — and last week was no exception. From 1990s basketball rarities to a low-pop Brady rookie, these were the five most expensive cards sold on eBay.
1. Stephon Marbury 1998-99 Skybox E-X Century Essential Credentials Now 03/04 — $62,100
Sold on Sunday, Aug. 17
The late 1990s were the golden age of wild designs and ultra-limited parallels, and Skybox E-X remains the crown jewel of that era. This Stephon Marbury Essential Credentials Now card is numbered to just 4 copies in existence, making it one of the rarest inserts from the entire decade. What makes these cards so desirable isn’t just scarcity — it’s the bold design, acetate window, and vibrant colors that scream ‘90s innovation.
While Marbury’s NBA career didn’t quite live up to the hype of fellow point guards like Allen Iverson or Steve Nash, his Credentials cards have taken on a cult following in the hobby. They’re so rare that many collectors will never even see one in person. The $62,100 sale price reflects the broader surge in demand for ‘90s insert culture, where even role players’ cards can fetch superstar money if they’re rare enough. For serious insert collectors, this is a true grail piece.
2. Tom Brady 2000 Leaf Limited Rookie RC /350 PSA 10 GEM MINT — $49,999.99
Sold on Monday, Aug. 18
Tom Brady’s rookie cards have long been the backbone of modern football collecting, and while the 2000 Playoff Contenders auto usually steals the spotlight, the Leaf Limited Rookie is one of the toughest base rookies to secure in pristine condition. With only 350 copies printed, and this example graded PSA 10 GEM MINT, it represents the very top tier of Brady’s non-autographed rookie market.
Brady’s unparalleled legacy — seven Super Bowl rings, three MVP awards, and virtually every meaningful passing record — makes his rookie cards true blue-chip investments. High-grade, low-population examples like this one rarely surface, and when they do, they almost always command eye-watering prices. At just under $50,000, this sale underscores Brady’s enduring status as the most collectible football player in history. For buyers, cards like this aren’t just collectibles — they’re long-term assets.
3. Stephon Marbury 1997-98 Skybox E-X 2001 Essential Credentials Now 06/13 — $42,548
Sold on Sunday, Aug. 17
For the second time this week, Stephon Marbury makes an appearance with another Essential Credentials Now parallel, this time from the 1997-98 Skybox E-X 2001 release. Numbered to just 13, this card is another reminder of how unbelievably scarce these late-90s parallels are. Unlike the base versions, the Credentials were produced in extremely limited runs that gave even mid-tier stars an aura of exclusivity.
What makes this card particularly special is its role in the broader narrative of ‘90s basketball collecting. The Essential Credentials set the stage for the modern parallel craze — think Prizms, Refractors, and numbered parallels today. Without these E-X releases, the hobby might not look the same. The $42,548 closing price shows that serious collectors understand that history. When you own one of only 13 copies in the world, you’re holding a piece of hobby heritage.
4. Hulk Hogan 2013 UD Employee Exclusive PMG Purple /125 PSA 10 — $41,100
Sold on Tuesday, Aug. 19
The Precious Metal Gems (PMG) design is legendary in basketball circles, but this sale proves just how powerful the brand has become across the entire hobby. This 2013 Upper Deck Employee Exclusive Hulk Hogan PMG Purple was limited to just 125 copies — and this one received the coveted PSA 10 grade, making it an absolute rarity.
Hulk Hogan remains one of the most iconic figures in professional wrestling, and the combination of his star power with the iconic PMG design was always going to generate buzz. But what makes this sale truly interesting is the crossover appeal: hardcore wrestling collectors were battling against PMG-focused collectors, driving the price up past $41,000. It’s a reminder that the hobby isn’t just about sports anymore. Entertainment, nostalgia, and iconic designs can carry just as much weight as championships and statistics.
5. Michael Jordan 1984-85 Star #101 BGS 6.5 (XRC) — $25,000
Sold on Monday, Aug. 18
The debate over Michael Jordan’s “true rookie” card will never end, but serious collectors know the answer: it’s the 1984-85 Star #101. Issued before Jordan’s iconic 1986 Fleer, this card is recognized as his XRC (extended rookie card) and is significantly scarcer. The challenge has always been condition. Printing inconsistencies, centering issues, and the fragile cardstock make high grades almost impossible to find.
This particular copy graded BGS 6.5 might not sound pristine, but for a Star Jordan, it’s still a strong example — and the $25,000 sale proves it. Collectors are increasingly appreciating the historical importance of the Star #101, and prices have been rising steadily as a result. For basketball purists, owning this card means holding the very first piece of cardboard that ever featured the greatest player in NBA history. It’s a must-have cornerstone, even in mid-grade.
Key Takeaways From Last Week’s Sales
This week’s top eBay sales were dominated by three things: scarcity, star power, and iconic designs. Two ultra-rare Stephon Marbury Essential Credentials cards, a Brady grail rookie, a crossover Hulk Hogan PMG, and Jordan’s elusive Star rookie — all reminders that in today’s hobby, rarity and narrative matter just as much as the player on the front.