Introduction to Barry Sanders Football Cards
Hey football fans, collectors, and enthusiasts it’s Matt with Graded Card Investor back with another article. So, gather around and listen closely, for we are about to embark on a journey of discovery and delight. His name is Barry Sanders, and we are here to uncover the crown jewels of this legendary player’s most valuable football cards.
From his exceptional talent on the field to his impact on the hobby, Barry Sanders is a true icon, and his rookie cards are a testament to his greatness.
So, strap in, get ready, and join us as we delve into the top 15 most valuable Barry Sanders football cards, their estimated values, and what makes them worth every penny. This is the ultimate guide for anyone looking to invest in the legacy of a true football legend.
1994 Finest Barry Sanders Refractor #44
Supply: PSA graded 160 of the Barry Sanders refractors with 8 grading gem mint 10, 114 mint 9 and the remaining 8.5 or less.
1994 Finest Refractors
1994 Finest refractors are the second year of the refractor parallel. These are becoming more and more popular amongst collectors for the sheer fact that they are some of the earliest refractors of the hobby.
Moreover, the designs are retro 90s, unlike any other modern set. They were inserted one per box and considered popular chase cards in the early 90s. PSA has graded 144 Barry Sanders refractors with eight grading gem mint 10, 106 mint 9, and the reaming PSA 8 or less.
1989 Topps Traded Barry Sanders RC #83T
Market Analysis: 1989 Topps Traded Barry Sanders Rookie Card Value
Supply: Beckett has graded 4,472 of the 1989 Topps Traded Barry Sanders rookie cards with the following results:
- Black Label 10: 0
- Pristine 10: 16
- Gem Mint 9.5: 1,580
The BGS 10 example shown above is one of sixteen examples in BGS pristine condition. PWCC Auctions sold it in July 2023 for $780. Alternatively, a BGS 9.5 gem mint condition example sold in June 2023 for $62. So the value lies in the specific grade here, not necessarily the card. PSA 10 examples sell between $100 to $150 consistently. Raw cards sell between $3 to $10 on eBay.
1999 Bowman’s Best Atomic Refractor Barry Sanders #50
Market Analysis: 1999 Bowman’s Best Atomic Refractor Barry Sanders Football Card
Supply: PSA has graded eight of the 1999 Barry Sanders Bowman’s Best Atomic Refractors with four grading gem mint 10 and four grading mint 9. The most recent example sold at auction was a PSA 9 and sold by PWCC Auctions in April 2023 for $960.
#4. 1989 Score Barry Sanders Rookie Card #257
Market Analysis: 1989 Score Barry Sanders Rookie Card
Supply: PSA has graded 28,217 of the 1989 Score Barry Sanders rookie cards with 2,218 grading gem mint 10, 10,786 mint 9 and the remaining 8.5 or less. Even though the PSA 10 supply is high, the value holds strong above $1,000. PSA 9s, however, sell between $85 to $115.
Iconic Barry Sanders Rookie Card
The 1989 Score set houses one of the most celebrated football rookie cards from the ‘junk wax’ era, as well as one of the all-time greats: Barry Sanders’ rookie card #257. While these cards are not scarce, finding them in high-grade condition certainly is.
The dark green borders make any whitening on the edges and corners particularly noticeable, making pristine examples a collector’s challenge. Additionally, centering often presents an issue, compounded by the fact that the cards were printed on thinner stock, leaving them more vulnerable to damage.
1999 E-X Century Barry Sanders Essential Credentials #30
- Serial Number: 52/61
- Grade: PSA 9
- Auction House: PWCC Auctions
- Sale Date: April 2023
- Sale Price: $4,440
1999 E-X Century Essential Credential Inserts
The Essential Credentials parallel is one of the most popular parallels from the 90s. These are highly collectible in basketball, baseball, and football cards because of their limited print runs, platinum finishes, futuristic designs, and coming from a high-end set. Each card has a different amount of cards printed, with Barry Sanders having just 61.
1998 Fleer Tradition Playmakers Theatre Barry Sanders #13
- Serial Number: 068/100
- Grade: PSA 9
- Auction House: Goldin Auctions
- Sale Date: July 2023
- Sale Price: $8,100
1998 Fleer Tradition Playmakers Theatre Barry Sanders Football Card Insert
Supply: PSA graded 14 of the Barry Sanders Playmakers Theatre inserts with 1 grading gem mint 10 and the remaining mint 9 or less. Due to their rarity, these are essentially one of the GOAT inserts for football and basketball cards.
1997 Skybox E-X2000 Essential Credentials Barry Sanders #11
- Serial Number: 096/100
- Grade: BGS 9.5
- Auction House: PWCC Auctions
- Sale Date: November 2022
- Sale Price: $8,100
➡️ Shop this Barry Sanders Rookie Card on PWCC Auctions
1997 Skybox E-X2000 (Essential Credentials)
Supply: Beckett has graded five of the 1997 Barry Sanders Essential Credentials parallels with just one grading gem mint 9.5 and the remaining 8.5 or less. The example shown above is the only BGS gem mint example graded, which is essentially a 1/1, right?
1999 Metal Universe Precious Metal Gems Barry Sanders #175
- Serial Number: 25/50
- Grade: PSA 8
- Auction House: Goldin Auctions
- Sale Date: July 2022
- Sale Price: $13,344
1999 Fleer Metal Universe (Precious Metal Gems)
Supply: PSA has graded just 7 of the 1999 Metal Universe Barry Sanders Precious Metal Gems football card parallels. Of those graded by PSA, one is gem mint 10. There are no mint 9 examples and only two NM-MT 8 graded. PMGs are highly elusive and challenging to grade.
#3. 1997 Metal Universe Precious Metal Gems Barry Sanders #162
- Serial Number: 019/150
- Grade: BGS 8.5
- Auction House: PWCC Auctions
- Sale Date: August 2022
- Sale Price: $28,000
➡️ Shop this Barry Sanders Rookie Card on PWCC Auctions
1997 Fleer Metal Universe Precious Metal Gems
Hands down, the best parallel card ever is the Precious Metal Gems parallel from the 1997 Metal Universe set. The eye appeal alone sells the card. In addition to excellent eye appeal, these are some of the first serial-numbered cards introduced to the hobby. A growing trend has caught like wildfire, with recent sports card investors jumping onto the recent hype.
PMGs are prevalent in football, baseball, basketball, hockey, and Marvel D.C. cards. So it’s safe to say these have a terrific long-term investment potential—especially the Hall of Fame greats like Barry Sanders. This is one of five examples that Beckett has authenticated and graded.
#2. 1998 Metal Universe Precious Metal Gems Barry Sanders /50
- Serial Number: 029/50
- Grade: PSA 9
- Auction House: PWCC Auctions
- Sale Date: November 2022
- Sale Price: $36,000
➡️ Shop this Barry Sanders Rookie Card on PWCC Auctions
1998 Fleer Metal Universe (Precious Metal Gems)
The second most valuable Barry Sanders football card is the second year of the hobby’s holy grail of parallels, the Metal Universe PMG. In 1998 Fleer ran another Precious Metal Gems paralleling the base set, this time serial numbered out of /50. These have the signature Metal Universe foil finish, are highly susceptible to damage, and have the iconic spiral pattern in the background.
Of the 50 copies available, PSA has graded just 9, with five grading mint 9, three NM-MT 8, and 1 in NM 7 condition. With their eye-catching design, extreme scarcity, and challenging grading conditions, the PMGs are some of the most valuable sports cards to own.
1997 SkyBox Premium Star Rubies Barry Sanders
- Serial Number: 034/50
- Grade: PSA 8
- Auction House: Goldin Auctions
- Sale Date: June 2023
- Sale Price: $36,420
Market Analysis: Barry Sanders Star Rubies Football Card Parallel
PSA has graded only five examples of the 1997 Star Rubies Barry Sanders parallel, with each card earning a NM-MT 8 rating. Given their extreme rarity, ascertaining a definitive value is challenging.
Star Ruby cards are some of the earliest football cards with a serial number indicating their limited print run. Combined with a visually striking design, they possess enduring appeal and are likely to retain high value for collectors and investors alike.
From a young age, Matt dove deep into sports card valuation, turning to esteemed price guides like Beckett and Tuff Stuff. Eventually he extended to Pokémon, Magic: The Gathering, and Yu-Gi-Oh!. With a vision to sustain and nurture the hobby he loved, Matt established the ‘Graded Card Investor’ YouTube channel and website. He aims to foster a healthy community and offer invaluable insights to those entering the world of sports cards and TCGs. His depth of understanding, from the card market’s 2020 pinnacle to its 1990s valleys, is consistently fortified by meticulous research.
