New Trading Card Hall of Fame adds 11 iconic sports cards to inaugural class

When collector Brad Sauder was looking for a way to introduce the most valuable and iconic cards in the hobby to average collectors, the idea for The Trading Card Hall of Fame was conceived.

Established in March of 2024, The Trading Card Hall of Fame seeks to serve as the authority for the most iconic trading cards in history.

“It was conceived while I was thinking of a way to bring these iconic cards to the average collector and celebrate them throughout the hobby,” said Sauder, president of The Trading Card Hall of Fame. “After running with the idea in my head for a few days, one night of tossing and turning got me out of bed at 2 a.m. and a website and trademark registration were born. From there, I set out to solidify the rules of induction and find some folks who were willing to participate as voters.”

Also See: Top sports card auction sales of 2024 

Sauder created a voting panel of experts from around the hobby, including card companies, card shop owners, show promoters, hobby media, and lifelong collectors. Nominees also were submitted by collectors via social media and the Hall website.

Sauder plans to induct more cards annually.

“I have a long way to go, but I have a solid start,” he said. “Now, with the first class announced in January of 2025, I will begin preparing for 2026 and hopefully get many more nominees and spark some conversations within the hobby.”

Sauder also is working on releasing special Class of 2025 card packs featuring some originals and licensed reprints of the inaugural class. They will be available at Indiegogo.com. He hopes to have versions of all 11 cards except for the Mantle, Ruth and Wagner cards.

The inaugural list of inductees features 11 cards thanks to a four-way tie for the last three spots.

Votes: 96%

Also See: Top online card sales of 2024 

One of the most iconic cards in the hobby, Mantle’s most rare card garnered the most votes from the panel. A SGC 9.5 sold for an all-time record $12.6 million and even examples in the worst condition sell for five figures.

Votes: 96%

Popularity and condition scarcity make Jordan’s rookie card one of the most coveted basketball cards in history.

Votes: 88%

The “holy grail” of baseball cards is one of the most rare cards in the hobby. With fewer than 60 examples known to exist, it commands seven figures in even the worst condition, with a PSA 8 selling for a record $9 million.

Votes: 80%

Tbe rookie card of hockey’s Michael Jordan is also one of the most coveted cards in the hobby, selling for a record $3.75 million in a PSA 10.

Votes: 68%

The rookie card of basketball legends Larry Bird and Magic Johnson also features another Hall of Famer in Julius Erving, making it one of the most iconic basketball cards in the hobby.

Votes: 64%

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One of the top cards of the 1980s, Griffey’s rookie was the #1 card in Upper Deck’s first baseball card set. It is PSA's most-graded card and still a strong seller.

Votes: 40%

As Nolan Ryan’s legend grew, so did the value and popularity of his iconic rookie card. Few cards command as much attention as the rookie of baseball’s strikeout king.

Votes: 36%

Also See: Babe Ruth, rare vintage baseball cards top $7 million auction at Memory Lane 

With only 11 cards known to exist, Babe Ruth’s rookie is one of the Babe’s rarest cards and certainly the most valuable, with an SGC 3 selling for $7.2 million.

Votes: 36%

The value of the rookie card of this Hall of Famer is a testament to Clemente’s popularity and respect around the world. A PSA 9 recently sold for $960,000. 

Votes: 36%

Though not his rookie, this black-and-white card of the greatest two-sport athlete in sports is Jackson’s most popular card.

Votes: 36%

The most popular card of the Iron Horse and one of baseball’s all-time greats comes from one of baseball’s most iconic sets.