In 2023, the trading card grading landscape was dominated by PSA and ISA, with a significant focus on sports cards. PSA's latest data reveals the top athletes and cards of the year based on the number of submissions they received. Topping this list is MLB's Shohei Ohtani, who recently made headlines with a record-breaking $700 million contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers. Ohtani's trading cards, particularly his 2018 Topps #700 Pitching card, are in high demand among collectors.
Ohtani isn't just leading in submissions; he also features prominently in PSA's top 10 most graded sports cards of 2023. This includes his 2018 Bowman #49 card, highlighting his significant presence in the card collecting world.
NBA icon Michael Jordan also continues to be a major figure in the realm of card submissions. His 1990 Fleer card, among others, remains a top collectible item. The list of top athletes in 2023 card submissions to PSA includes:
- Shohei Ohtani
- Michael Jordan
- Julio Rodriguez
- Trevor Lawrence
- Joe Burrow
- Tom Brady
- Kobe Bryant
- LeBron James
- Ken Griffey Jr.
- Patrick Mahomes II
The football card scene has seen a surge in popularity, with Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields leading the growth in card submissions, showing an impressive 119% increase from 2022. Trevor Lawrence isn't far behind, with his card submissions growing by 98%. The influence of pop culture is also evident, as Travis Kelce's card submissions have increased, potentially boosted by his relationship with pop star Taylor Swift.
Rookie cards maintain their status as highly coveted items in the card collecting community. In basketball, rookies like Paolo Banchero and Victor Wembanyama lead the pack in grading submissions. Football sees Kenny Pickett and Brock Purdy as the top rookie cards, while in baseball, Elly De La Cruz and Adley Rutschman are the most submitted rookie cards. This trend underscores the ongoing enthusiasm for new talent across various sports in the trading card market.