Tom Brady needs no introduction to any NFL fan. The seven-time Super Bowl winner has proved himself time and again in the NFL and established himself as one of the greatest ever to have played the game. When Tom Brady finally retired from the game in the end of the 2022-23 NFL season, the NFL witnessed the end of an era. Tom Brady is probably one of the most iconic sportspeople in the world and holding onto any of his memoribilia makes for a great collectors item.
Read More about: Tom Brady’s Super Bowl Wins
If you are a Tom Brady fan then owning a Brady rookie card is probably one of the best things to hold on to. At the time of Brady’s rookie season in 2000, it would have been unimaginable to predict that he would turn out to be the superstar he is now. NFL Rookie cards are official trading cards that feature an NFL player for the first time after they make it to the league as a pro. Tom Brady's rookie cards are now some of the highest in value and demand. Unfortunately, cheap Tom Brady rookie cards no longer exist. All his rookie cards differ in value based on the manufacturer, his jersey on the card, and whether they are autographed or not.
How many Tom Brady Rookie Cards are there?
Tom Brady’s rookie cards were manufactured way back in 2000 when he made his debut for the New England Patriots. There used to be around 6 licensed card manufacturers for the particular NFL season and Brady was not featured in cards by all of them.
Currently, there are around 44 variants of Tom Brady's rookie cards. These collectible items are very valuable based on the rarity of each card. There are some cards that are more common than others and since the late 1990s, there is even a one-of-a-kind rookie card that is manufactured for each player.
However, in May 2022 a second controversial Brady 1 of 1 card emerged. The first one which was auctioned for a whopping $396, 000 was graded 8.5 NM-MT+ by Beckett Grading Services. Later a PSA-graded authentic card also emerged which is held on to by its original collector. It was found out that manufacturers printed multiple copies of 1 card; however, they are not supposed to leave the factory. This one somehow did and now two Tom Brady 1-of-1 rookie cards exist.
Which are the Top 10 most Valuable Tom Brady Rookie Cards in 2022?
Here is a look at the top ten most valuable Tom Brady rookie cards to date:
1. 2000 Playoff Contenders Tom Brady Rookie Card Autograph #144
This is the only Brady autographed rookie card series from 2000. The Contenders branding also adds to its value. A mint condition version of this card makes it the highest valued Brady rookie card to collect.
2. 2000 SP Authentic Tom Brady Rookie Card #118 /1250
This card is valuable owing to its popularity. The card is immensely iconic among collectors and there are a total of 1250 copies in the world. SP Authentic was the most premium brand for rookie cards during the 2000s which helped establish the popularity and value of this card.
3. 2000 Leaf Limited Tom Brady Rookie Card #378 /350
With only 350 copies around the world this card is already valuable due to its rarity. The specialty is that it has a special colorful foil look and features Brady in action as it was released at the latter part of the 2000 NFL season.
4. 2000 SPx Tom Brady Rookie Card #130 /1350
The card has a fair number of prints however, these SP Authentic cards have a premium feel and make for one of the best Tom Brady rookie cards to collect.
5. 2000 Pacific Revolution Tom Brady Rookie Card #128 /300
This is one of the rarest Brady rookie cards with only 300 copies and no parallels to go along with it. This card is the second-rarest Tom Brady rookie card to exist.
6. 2000 Playoff Momentum Tom Brady Rookie Card #180 /750
With an etched foil background, this rare first-year rookie card with 750 copies is one of the best cards featuring him in action.
7. 2000 Upper Deck Pros and Prospects Tom Brady RC #124 /1000
This is the rarest Tom BRady rookie card from the manufacturer Upper Deck. Foil outlines and multi-directional texts make this card a collector's favorite.
8. 2000 UD Graded Tom Brady RC #104 /1325
These cards are relatively more common than others before it in the list however, these pre-graded cards are also some of the most valuable. Pre-graded cards from Upper Deck have a blue ribbon outline rather than the company’s usual green.
9. 2000 Bowman Chrome Tom Brady Rookie Card #236
The card is Tom Brady’s only chromium rookie card and one of two Brady rookie cards from the company Topps. The card could have been valued higher only if it was numbered. This is also one of the few cards to feature Brady in an in-game action.
10. 2000 Vanguard Tom Brady RC #139 /762
With only 762 copies this quirky Tom Brady rookie card from Vanguard is of considerable value.
Which Tom Brady Rookie Card is the most expensive?
Tom Brady rookie cards are some of the most expensive NFL rookie cards to collect. Currently, the most expensive Brady rookie card is the ‘2000 Playoff Contenders Championship Ticket Tom Brady Autograph Rookie Card #144’. This card is a parallel to the ‘2000 Playoff Contenders Tom Brady Rookie Card Autograph #144’. The Championship Ticket version of the Playoff Contenders Tom Brady rookie card is condition sensitive and the particular version of this which is the most expensive is in mint condition.
Auctioned in June 2021 and sold for a whopping $3.106 million. This makes it the most expensive Tom Brady rookie card and the second-most expensive NFL rookie card ever. Three other cards of the same series have auctioned for more than $1 million respectively.
Where can I purchase Tom Brady Rookie Cards?
NFL rookie cards can be purchased from a number of avenues. Trading cards are available to be purchased on the official NFL website. However, Tom Brady's rookie cards have been mostly collected and also sold by exclusive trading card companies like the Beckett Marketplace. eBay is also one of the best places to buy Tom Brady rookie cards online from other collectors. Always check for the authenticity of rookie cards when you purchase them as there are a number of copies that are not company-manufactured. Always check for a Beckett Grading Services (BGS) or a Professional Sports Authenticator (PSA) authenticity grading on your card.
Also Read: List of Tom Brady’s Yachts
What is Tom Brady’s Net Worth and Salary?
FAQs
You can purchase Tom Brady rookie cards online from websites like Ebay, Amazon, and Panini.
The most expensive Tom Brady rookie card sold is worth $3.1 million. It was a 2000 Playoff Contenders Championship Ticket Autograph Card #144.
Tom Brady rookie cards were released in the year 2000. Some of the most expensive rookie cards were the ones which came out the earliest.
Tom Brady rookie cards are some of the most expensive rookie cards to collect and they are worth around $600-$900 on an average. The prices may go even higher.
