The 2000s gave us some of history’s most incredible athletic performances and sports cards. Whether you’re a football, baseball, or basketball fan, there are a few cards you just can’t miss as a collector. Discover the most valuable cards of the decade with this Giant Sports Cards guide.
Football
2000 Playoff Contenders Championship Ticket Tom Brady
Few players have built a legacy quite like Tom Brady, and this classic card reflects that unique achievement. This card captures Tom Brady at the very dawn of his NFL career, a time when few could have predicted his meteoric rise to legendary status. It’s a tangible piece of history, representing the beginning of one of the greatest sports dynasties.
Here’s what makes this $550,000+ piece one of the most valuable football cards of the 2000s:
- Rarity: The Championship Ticket set was a limited-edition release with a significantly smaller print run than standard football card sets. This inherent scarcity adds to the card’s desirability and value. Furthermore, the autographed version (#144) is even rarer, making it a true collector’s gem.
- Legacy: Tom Brady’s unprecedented success throughout his NFL career has fueled the demand and value of his sports trading cards. An unmatched total of 7 Super Bowl titles ensures that his cards won’t be losing value any time soon.
2005 SP Authentic 1/1 Aaron Rodgers
Whether you’re talking about the most valuable 2000s baseball cards or sticking to football, you’ll always find one common factor: exclusivity.
1/1 cards are almost always in heavy demand, and this one leads the pack. As one of the most valuable 2000s football cards, this one’s a perfect time capsule that embodies an era of Packers dominance. More importantly, this SP Authentic card also has a place in the history books for being the very first massive shield rookie card. This one-of-a-kind card is currently priced at over $300,000.
Baseball
2009 Bowman Chrome 5/5 Mike Trout Red Refractor
Mike Trout is undeniably one of the greatest baseball players of his generation. His Bowman Chrome refractor card sits right next to the most valuable basketball cards of the 2000s in terms of sheer value, and it’s easy to see why.
The /5 on this piece indicates that only five versions of this card exist, making it one of the most exclusive baseball cards in the world. This three-time MVP winner’s autograph card last sold for $9.5 million at a PSA 9.5 grading, making it even more expensive than the most valuable 2000s football cards.
2001 Bowman Chrome Albert Pujols Autograph
This Albert Pujol rookie card is one of the most valuable 2000s baseball cards, and it’s also a fantastic underdog story.
Pujols burst onto the scene with the St. Louis Cardinals in 2001, immediately establishing himself as a force to be reckoned with. His combination of power, hitting for average, and consistent run production was virtually unmatched throughout his prime. More importantly, he holds the singular distinction of moving from Single-A to Triple-A over the course of a season.
No one loves an underdog more than baseball fans, and that applies to sports cards too. Unlike the most valuable 2000s football cards covered above, Albert Pujols’ rookie cards are actually somewhat affordable. The PSA 10 version of his autograph card goes for over $20,000, but collectors can still get a PSA 9 for $450. This is a great entry point if you’re looking for a starter card to build an elite collection.
Basketball
2009 National Treasures Stephen Curry Autograph
The 2000s are famous for giving us some of the most expensive sports cards ever. No card embodies that trend better than the 2009 Stephen Curry Panini National Treasures Logoman. This piece includes virtually everything a collector would want in a rookie card, including:
- A game-worn jersey patch
- An autograph
- The NBA + National Treasures branding
That’s not the only reason this is one of the most valuable 2000s basketball cards. Just like the most valuable football cards of the 2000s, this card’s popularity has been boosted by Curry’s exceptional performance on the court. Collectors can pick this basketball card up at the blistering price of $6 million.
2003 Upper Deck Exquisite LeBron James /23
No basketball card list is complete without a mention of LeBron James, and this piece can give some of the most valuable 2000s baseball cards a run for their money when it comes to long-term value.
This Upper Deck card includes a game-worn Cavaliers jersey patch and an autograph. This card also served as the introduction to Upper Deck’s elite Exquisite Collection series, a high-end lineup focused on limited-edition rookie patch autographs. Interestingly, there are two editions of this card. The /99 release can sell for up to $2,000,000 each, while the /23 parallel is valued at an incredible $5.3 million.
Build Your Elite Collection
Learning about the most valuable 2000s football cards is fun, but nothing compares to the thrill of building your own elite collection. Whether you’re into football, baseball, or basketball, pick up the latest sports card releases at the lowest prices only at Giant Sports Cards. Unbox Your Love Of The Game™ at our online card shop or local card shop in the Atlanta area, and get free US shipping on orders over $199.
