Saquon Barkley’s big season leads to card surge

Saquon Barkley came oh-so-close to setting a significant NFL record this season. With one game left, he had 2,005 rushing yards, which put him 101 yards away from breaking Eric Dickerson’s mark of 2,105 yards set in 1984. The Eagles, however, opted to rest Barkley the final week of the season to keep him fresh for the playoffs.

Rushing record or not, Barkley was remarkable in 2024. Previously, he spent six years with the New York Giants. In three of those seasons, he surpassed 1,000 yards. The other three seasons were punctuated by injuries: he missed 22 games in total—including nearly all of the 2020 campaign. But in his first with Philadelphia, he was rejuvenated. Barkley’s 2,005 yards came on 345 carries—a 5.8 average. He added 33 catches for 278 yards and scored 13 touchdowns on the ground and two by air.

In the Eagles' playoff win over the Packers Sunday, Barkley rushed for 119 yards on 25 carries (4.8), while adding two catches for 4 yards.

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Barkley’s injury-riddled era with New York stunted his hobby values, but that’s changing. The last item on our “next 10” list (see below) hints at renewed interest; it’s a signed 2018 Panini National Treasures card that approached $20,000. Even though the card itself was ungraded, the autograph was authenticated by PSA, which helped inspire bids. So too did the embedded uniform patch, which happened to be an NFL shield.

Here’s a look at healthy prices paid recently for six different Barkley gems:

• $4,199 on 68 bids for a signed 2018 Panini Immaculate card with an NFL shield patch. Marked #1/1, the card was graded BGS 9.

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• $2,700 on 42 bids for an ungraded 2018 Panini Flawless autographed Rookie Dual Patch card marked #1/1.

• $2,469 on 16 bids for a 2018 Panini Select Prizm Black card marked #1/1 and graded BGS 8.5.

• $2,340 on 21 bids for a 2018 National Treasures autographed jersey card marked #29/99 and graded BGS 9.5.

• $2,025 on 9 bids for an ungraded 2024 Panini Prizm Color Blast card.

• $2,011 on 71 bids for a 2018 Panini KABOOM! card graded PSA 10.

T1. $39,100 on 53 bids: 2024-25 Topps Mercury Victor Wembanyama, #4/5, auto patch (ungraded)

T1. $39,100 on 29 bids: 2024-25 Topps Mercury Victor Wembanyama, #2/5, auto patch (ungraded)

3. $35,500 on 18 bids: 1909-11 T206 Old Mill Ty Cobb (bat off shoulder) (PSA 6)

4. $35,100 on 86 bids: 2023-24 Panini Prizm Deca Victor Wembanyama Gold Prizm (ungraded)

5. $33,008 on 43 bids: 2000 Bowman Chrome Tom Brady Refractor (PSA 9)

6. $29,100 on 85 bids: 2017 Donruss Optic Patrick Mahomes II Red Prizm, #22/50, auto (PSA 10)

7. $28,350 on 65 bids: 2023 Topps Transcendent Babe Ruth Cut Signature, #1/1, auto (ungraded)

8. $27,400 on 66 bids: 2003-04 Upper Deck Ultimate Collection LeBron James Autographed Ultimate Rookie, #109/250, auto (BGS 9.5, auto 10)

9. $27,099 on 33 bids: 2003-04 Topps Chrome LeBron James Refractor (PSA 10)

10. $26,900 on 40 bids: 1984-85 Star Michael Jordan #101 (BGS 8)

OUTSIDE LOOKING IN

Our complete “next 10” list: 

• $24,600 on 37 bids: 1998-99 Fleer Metal Universe Allen Iverson Precious Metal Gems, #14/50 (PSA 6)

• $26,300 on 63 bids: 1986-87 Fleer Michael Jordan (BGS 9.5)

• $23,800 on 61 bids: 2003-24 Panini Kaboom! Victor Wembanyama Gold, #7/10 (PSA 10)

• $23,150 on 48 bids: 1949 Leaf Jackie Robinson (BVG 6)

• $21,588 on 100 bids: 1984-85 Star Michael Jordan #101 (PSA 6)

• $21,438 on 1 bid: 1933 Goudey Babe Ruth #181 (PSA 5)

• $21,211 on 35 bids: 2023-24 Panini One and One Victor Wembanyama Timeless Moments, #3/3 (ungraded)

• $21,105 on 47 bids: 1987 O-Pee-Chee Barry Bonds (PSA 10)

• $20,988 on 62 bids: 2020-21 Panini National Treasures Anthony Edwards, #38/99, auto patch (BGS 8.5)

• $19,101 on 64 bids: 2018 Panini National Treasures Saquon Barkley, #1/1, auto patch (NFL shield), (ungraded; auto 10, with PSA authentication)