Historic football cards draw major attention at Heritage
With the 2026 NFL season just two weeks away, football collectors were already focused on some of the hobby’s most iconic cards as Heritage Auctions wrapped up its historic $62.9 million Summer Platinum Auction.
Legendary names from multiple eras helped drive the action, with cards tied to Barry Sanders, Peyton Manning, Tom Brady and Bronko Nagurski all bringing major results. The auction also featured a high-end Patrick Mahomes autograph card that added to the strong football showing.
Barry Sanders one-of-one sets a record
The top football result in the auction belonged to Barry Sanders. His one-of-one 1998 Metal Universe Barry Sanders Gem Master #20 sold for $512,400, setting a record for any item associated with the Detroit Lions great.
The card was graded PSA 7-MBA Gold and was issued during Sanders’ final NFL season. The result underscores the continued demand for rare premium-era football cards, especially one-of-one issues tied to all-time greats.
Peyton Manning rookie card reaches record price
Another one-of-one Metal Universe card also delivered a record. A 1998 SkyBox Metal Universe Peyton Manning Gem Master Rookie #189 sold for $414,800, establishing a new record for any Manning collectible.
The card shows Manning in his University of Tennessee uniform and was graded PSA 8.5-MBA Silver. As one of the most recognizable rookie-era Manning cards, the result reflects the strong market for scarce quarterback cards from the late 1990s.
Bronko Nagurski card tops previous set record
1930s football legend Bronko Nagurski also reached a new benchmark in the auction. His 1935 National Chicle Bronko Nagurski #34 sold for $402,600 in PSA NM 7 condition.
That price more than doubled the previous record for any other card from the landmark football set, adding another notable result to a sale already packed with high-end vintage and modern football highlights.
Tom Brady rookie card brings strong five-figure result
Tom Brady’s 2000 Upper Deck SPx Rookie #130 sold for $189,100 in BGS 9.5 condition. The result adds another strong sale for Brady, whose rookie cards remain among the most closely watched modern football collectibles.
Brady’s appearance among the auction’s top results helped round out a list that spanned multiple generations of football history, from early pioneers to modern superstars.
Patrick Mahomes autograph card adds to football strength
Patrick Mahomes also had a notable sale in the auction. His 2017 Panini National Treasures Red Laundry Tag Auto card, marked Authentic with an Auto 10 grade, sold for $280,600.
The card’s combination of autograph content and premium memorabilia detail made it one of the strongest Mahomes results in the auction, reinforcing the continued demand for top-tier cards from the game’s biggest current star.
Heritage auction highlights football collecting demand
The Summer Platinum Auction showed the range of the football card market, with record-setting results coming from both vintage and modern issues. One-of-one cards, rookie cards and landmark vintage sets all found strong demand as collectors pushed prices higher for key pieces tied to iconic names.
For Sanders and Manning, the auction produced new record marks tied to some of the most recognizable cards of their careers. For Nagurski, Brady and Mahomes, the results added more evidence that elite football cards continue to command major attention when they surface in a major auction setting.
With the NFL season approaching and collector interest already building, the Heritage sale offered a clear snapshot of where the football card market stands at the high end. Rare condition, iconic players and historically important sets remained the combination that drew the biggest bids.
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