Newly Discovered T206 Honus Wagner Card Sells for Over $5 Million

United States - Ekhbary News Agency

Newly Discovered T206 Honus Wagner Card Commands Over $5 Million in Landmark Auction

In a sensational development for the world of sports collecting, a recently discovered 1909 T206 Honus Wagner card, held within the same family for more than 116 years, has fetched an astonishing $5.124 million, including the buyer's premium, at Goldin Auctions. This iconic piece of baseball history, originally pulled from a Sweet Caporal tobacco pack, has now entered the annals of the most valuable sports cards ever sold.

The sale places this particular Wagner card as the third-highest price ever achieved for a T206 Honus Wagner. It trails behind a copy purchased for $6.606 million in August 2021 and another that was sold privately for an even higher $7.25 million in August 2022. Despite its status as the third most expensive, the card's recent discovery and its century-long provenance add unique layers to its historical significance and market appeal.

The card in question received a Grade 1 designation from Professional Sports Authenticator (PSA). This grade signifies a card in its original state, potentially with significant wear, but retaining its fundamental integrity. The two more valuable Wagners that preceded it in price were graded by Sportscard Guaranty Corporation (SGC), receiving grades of 3 and 2, respectively. The difference in grading companies and the numerical grades highlight the nuanced factors that influence a card's valuation, including the specific criteria of grading services and the condition of the card itself.

Ken Goldin, CEO and founder of Goldin Auctions, expressed his honor in facilitating the sale. "We are honored that the Shields family chose us to represent this historic card that has been in their family for 116 years," Goldin stated. "It's a testament to the enduring legacy of Honus Wagner and the T206 card itself."

The card's journey through time is a remarkable story of preservation. It belonged to Douglas and Dennis Shields, descendants of Morton Bernstein. Bernstein, the son of the founder of The National Silver Company, was an early collector who meticulously preserved trading cards in the early 1900s. After acquiring the F.B. Rogers Silver Company in 1955 and expanding his business ventures, Bernstein framed many of his prized cards, using them as decor in his establishments. When The National Silver Company eventually ceased operations, the cards were moved to a warehouse, eventually being passed down through inheritance to Dennis and Douglas.

The discovery of this particular T206 Wagner was officially announced by Goldin Auctions in December, coinciding with its feature on Season 3 of Netflix's popular documentary series, "King of Collectibles: The Goldin Touch." The show chronicled the card's journey from discovery to auction, significantly amplifying public interest.

"Tonight, the Shields shared with me that they are thrilled with the sale -- and we hope the new owner treasures it as much as they did," Goldin continued, reflecting on the emotional aspect of parting with such a significant family heirloom. He reiterated the card's legendary status, famously calling it, "The T206 Honus Wagner remains the Mona Lisa of sports cards." This comparison emphasizes its unparalleled cultural significance and desirability among collectors.

The mystique surrounding the T206 Honus Wagner card is legendary within the hobby. Its scarcity is primarily attributed to Honus Wagner, the Pittsburgh Pirates shortstop, requesting the American Tobacco Company to cease its production in 1909. Various theories attempt to explain this unprecedented move. Some suggest a printing plate error, while others point to Wagner's purported, though unlikely, moral objection to advertising tobacco products, especially to children. A more modern interpretation posits Wagner as an early advocate for athlete image rights, possibly objecting to his likeness being used without fair compensation, a concept that resonates strongly with today's Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) discussions in collegiate sports.

Adding to the current buzz around Wagner cards, another T206 Honus Wagner card, graded SGC Authentic (a grade below 1), is currently commanding significant attention in a separate auction at Heritage Auctions. It has already reached a bid of $2.318 million with six days remaining in the auction. This ongoing activity reinforces the T206 Honus Wagner's position as a consistently high-performing and highly sought-after asset in the collectibles market.

Ekhbary News Agency