Rare Babe Ruth Rookie Card Sells For $7.2 Million!

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A Babe Ruth rookie card sold for $7.2 million at an auction (Credit: robertedwardauctions.com/ CC-BY-SA-2.0)

A 109-year-old Babe Ruth card fetched $7.2 million at an online auction on November 17, 2023. This is the most paid for an item belonging to the famed player and the third-highest price for a baseball card ever. However, it was far less than the over $10 million estimated by New Jersey-based Robert Edward Auctions (REA).

The collectible measures about 2.6 inches (6.6 cm) by 3.6 inches (9.2 cm). It was created in 1914 by The Baltimore News. The front features a 19-year-old Ruth, who was then with the Baltimore Orioles in the International League. The reverse side displays the team's home and away game schedule. Notably, this card was made during the season when Ruth joined the Boston Red Sox. The skilled pitcher and outfielder eventually rose to become one of the most exceptional players in baseball history.

The card belonged to the family of a Baltimore paperboy (Credit: robertedwardauctions.com/ CC-BY-SA-2.0)

While the newspaper originally handed out numerous cards, only ten are still in existence. The most recently auctioned card was once owned by Archibald Davis. The Baltimore, Maryland, resident had received the card from the newspaper when he was 16 years old. It was part of a collection of 15 cards he had passed on to his family. Prior to the sale, the 1914 card had been on public display at the Babe Ruth Birthplace and Museum in Baltimore.

"Simply put, The Baltimore News Babe Ruth rookie card is the most significant baseball card ever produced," said REA president Brian Dwyer. "This card is the genesis of Babe Ruth, a man who transcends the game of baseball. This card is not only one of the most elusive pieces of sports memorabilia, it's one of the rarest collectibles in American history."

Resources: Robertedwardauctions.com, nbcnewyork.com, thebaltimorebanner.com

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54 Comments
  • potatodude
    potatodude11 months
    Bro, I only have like a 25th-anniversary Pikachu worth like $20.
  • slay-123
    slay-12311 months
    That's a lot of money 🤑
    • oreocookie64
      oreocookie6411 months
      That's insane, but I can sorta see why because it's over 100 years old and Babe Ruth has made a serious impact on the baseball word, to simply put it.
      • rnkim
        rnkim11 months
        Thats crazy! The most expensive card I own is a 60 dollar charizard in bad condition. :'(
        • williamlee
          williamlee11 months
          The most expensive I have is a charizard + Reshriham gx tag team from 2019 in good condition. PSA 8.5
        • easy11
          easy1111 months
          I need to save my Pokémon cards then.
          • slay-123
            slay-12311 months
            I have a old card I forgot the name but bad condition I can sell it for about 50$
          • live100
            live10011 months
            Who would spend that much money
            • tigersword
              tigersword11 months
              in my opinion these cards are honestly of no use. they're just for decoration and for the owner to brag about it. in the real world, it would have no value
              • zo-bro
                zo-bro11 months
                Seriously? A card Millions of dollars? Now that’s REALLY awesome-sauce!
                • dogo22liamwang
                  • mararigg
                    mararigg11 months
                    omg that's one old peise of paper!
                    • live100
                      live10011 months
                      And a lot of money. The person who bought it must really like sports.