18 crazy-valuable Super Bowl trading cards

You might think your old football cards are just cardboard clutter. A second-year Tom Brady, a weird hologram from the ’90s, or a shiny insert with a Super Bowl logo doesn’t look like serious money.

But Super Bowl–related cards are a whole niche. Anything tied to a big game, MVP moment, or championship win can turn into real cash, from six-figure rookies down to $50 gems hiding in a dollar box. Condition and grading matter a lot, but even raw copies can surprise you.

If your family saved cards from the Terry Bradshaw era, or you ripped packs during Tom Brady’s Patriots years, it’s worth taking another look. Here are 18 very specific Super Bowl cards that have actually sold for strong money, and what to look for in your own shoebox or at the thrift store.

2017 Contenders Patrick Mahomes Super Bowl Ticket auto

This is the dream pull: the 2017 Panini Contenders Patrick Mahomes II Super Bowl Ticket Autograph Rookie #303, numbered 1-of-1. It uses the standard Rookie Ticket design but with a “Super Bowl Ticket” foil stamp and on-card signature. Because it’s a one-of-one, there’s literally only a single copy, and Mahomes is already a multi–Super Bowl MVP.

A BGS 9 copy of this card sold for $324,000 in November 2023, making it one of the most expensive modern football cards tied directly to the Super Bowl. Lower-tier Mahomes Contenders parallels and inserts regularly land in the five-figure range when graded in top condition.

You won’t likely find this card at a garage sale. But if you see any Mahomes Contenders rookie with an on-card autograph and a “Ticket” design, treat it gently. Check the back for the Super Bowl Ticket logo or serial numbering, and slide it into a sleeve and top loader before you even think about what it might be worth.

2004 Topps Super Bowl XXXVIII MVP Tom Brady patch autos

For Brady collectors, the 2004 Topps Super Bowl XXXVIII MVP patch autograph is a grail card. It features a game-used jersey swatch from his win over the Carolina Panthers and an on-card signature, usually numbered out of 99. The design screams early-2000s Topps, and the Super Bowl MVP callout ties it directly to one of his classic performances.

One BGS 8.5 copy sold for $32,400 in a recent high-end football auction. Another PSA 8 copy sold for $30,000 with buyer’s premium. Even mid-grade examples can land in the tens of thousands because of the combo of patch, auto, and specific Super Bowl branding.

In the wild, this could be sitting in a one-touch case in a local shop or stashed in an old safety deposit box. Look for “Super Bowl XXXVIII MVP” and a serial number out of 99 on the front or back. If you find one, don’t try to press out any edge dings or clean the surface, damage can easily knock off thousands.

2002 Topps Super Bowl XXXVI MVP Tom Brady patch auto

Two years earlier, Topps marked Brady’s first championship with the 2002 Topps Super Bowl XXXVI MVP patch autograph #SBMVP. The card includes a piece of a game-used football or jersey and a signature, tying directly to the upset win over the Rams. It’s a tough, numbered card that Patriots fans chase hard.

A PSA 8 copy of this patch auto sold for $7,950 in a recent auction. Other graded examples have moved in the mid- to high-four-figure range depending on condition and eye appeal. For a card released just after his first ring, that’s serious appreciation.

The design mentions “Super Bowl XXXVI MVP” and shows Brady in his early Patriots uniform. Watch for chipping on the colored borders and fading on the foil. If you come across one raw in a collection, it’s worth sending to a top grading company before you sell, because a bump from an 8 to a 9 can add a big premium.

1990 Pro Set Vince Lombardi Trophy hologram short print

The 1990 Pro Set Vince Lombardi Trophy hologram is one of those oddball inserts that turned into a monster. It’s a small hologram card of the Super Bowl trophy with the Pro Set logo, randomly inserted and notoriously tough to pull. Many kids pinned it to bulletin boards or stuck it in screwdowns that scratched the surface.

Recent price data shows PSA 10 copies reaching into the low- to mid-four-figure range, with one gem-mint example tracked over $7,000 and PSA 9s commonly landing in the $700–$1,500 zone. Even ungraded copies can sell for well over $100 if the hologram is clean and the corners are sharp.

These sometimes show up mixed in with junk-wax commons. Hold the card under a light and check that the hologram isn’t cloudy or deeply scratched. If the edges look crisp and there’s no major peeling, it’s worth putting in a fresh sleeve and hard case and looking up recent graded sale prices before selling.

1971 Topps Terry Bradshaw rookie, a four-time Super Bowl champ

Bradshaw’s 1971 Topps rookie #156 isn’t a Super Bowl highlight card, but it’s the flagship rookie of a quarterback who led the Steelers to four Lombardi trophies. It has a bright yellow background, simple portrait, and “Steelers” in a curved banner, very early-’70s.

High-grade copies have become major keys. PSA auction records show PSA 9 examples selling for more than $30,000 in recent years, with one sale hitting $33,600. Even PSA 7 and 8 grades can land in the high hundreds to a few thousand dollars.

If you find an old Bradshaw card in a shoebox, flip it over and check the year and number. Centering is a big deal here: lots of copies are off-left or off-right. Light corner rounding is normal for a card this old, but sharp corners, strong color, and no creases are what push it into serious money territory.

1970 Topps Super Joe Namath oversized card

The 1970 Topps Super Joe Namath #33 is an oversized card that feels more like a small photo. It shows Namath in his classic Jets look just a couple of years after his Super Bowl III guarantee and upset win. Because of the bigger size, a lot of these were pinned, taped, or tossed.

Recent sales show mid-grade raw copies often bringing $25–$80, with nicer examples hitting higher prices. One near-mint copy sold just under $80, while several others in similar shape have landed between $20 and $60. A clean PSA-graded copy can easily move into the low-hundreds.

These sometimes show up in old albums or frames. Check for trimming along the edges and stains from tape or tack holes. Even with some wear, it’s worth more than a typical base card, and because it’s big, you’ll want a larger semi-rigid holder to keep the corners from getting smashed.

1972 Topps Super Bowl VI card

Topps celebrated the Cowboys’ win over the Dolphins with the 1972 Topps Super Bowl VI card #139. It features Roger Staubach and the Super Bowl game summary, and it’s technically an insert within the regular set. Kids often stacked these with commons or tacked them on walls.

PSA price data shows a PSA 10 gem-mint copy selling for $672, while PSA 9s have brought more than $300. Even PSA 7 copies have sold in the $25–$50 range, with numerous eBay sales recorded in that neighborhood.

Raw examples are common, but quality varies. Look closely at the white borders for chipping and check the centering, many are noticeably off. If you find one that looks sharp and well-centered, it might be worth grading, especially if you already plan to send in a batch of cards.

1973 Topps Super Bowl VII card from the perfect Dolphins season

The 1973 Topps Super Bowl VII #139 card celebrates the Dolphins’ win that capped their perfect 17–0 season. For fans of vintage football and that iconic team, it’s a key piece of cardboard history. The front shows the game action and the back has a short recap.

PSA’s auction records show PSA 9 copies selling around the high two-figure to low three-figure range, with one sale recorded at $187.50. Lower grades still sell regularly because team and Super Bowl collectors build full runs of these cards.

Look for sharp corners and solid color on the back, which tends to show wear. Because it’s not a rookie, some sellers throw it into bulk lots. If you’re going through old binders from the ’70s, pull any card that actually says “Super Bowl” on the front and check the number, those inserts can quietly add up.

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2002 Fleer Ultra Tom Brady Super Bowl MVP second-year card

The 2002 Fleer Ultra Tom Brady #181 isn’t an autograph or relic, but it is a second-year card that calls out his Super Bowl MVP status. That combination of early-career Brady and championship mention has made it more desirable than a typical base card.

Sales data shows PSA 10 copies selling in the low- to mid-hundreds, with one gem-mint example going for more than $300 and another for $355. PSA 9 and SGC 9.5 copies often land between $25 and $90, depending on timing and the overall market.

In a shoebox, this looks like a normal glossy early-2000s insert. Check the back for the #181 and make sure you aren’t confusing it with lower-end base issues. If the surface is clean and the corners are sharp, a light-value card like this can still be worth grading if you’re sending in several Bradys anyway.

2002 Topps Super Bowl Goal Post Relic Tom Brady with game-used posts

One of the more creative Super Bowl cards is the 2002 Topps Super Bowl Goal Post Relic Tom Brady #SBG1. It includes a small piece of the goal post from Super Bowl XXXVI embedded in the card, tied to Brady’s first championship. Over time, collectors have realized how quirky and limited these relics are.

Ungraded copies have sold in the few-hundred-dollar range, and high-grade examples can easily push into the high hundreds. A PSA 8 copy was featured in a premium auction line-up, while graded and authenticated versions around BGS 9 or HGA 9 sit near the $600–$1,000 mark based on recent sales and market data.

These sometimes show up in small display cases or tucked in with other relics. Look for the “Super Bowl Goal Post Relic” text and “SBG1” on the back. Because the card stock is thick, edges can chip easily. Don’t jam it into a tight sleeve; use a slightly larger penny sleeve and a thick top loader instead.

2002 Topps Chrome Super Bowl Goal Posts Adam Vinatieri relics

Kickers don’t always get hobby love, but Adam Vinatieri’s 2002 Topps Chrome Super Bowl Goal Posts #SBG6 relic is an exception. It includes a piece of the goal post from his game-winning kick in Super Bowl XXXVI, and the Chrome refractor versions have a lot of shine.

Recent sales show raw refractor copies selling from about $75 up to $250, with one documented sale at $169.45 and another at $250. That’s a strong price for a non-quarterback relic, driven by the famous moment and limited supply.

If you find one, it will usually say “Super Bowl Goal Posts” and show a small yellow relic window. Tilt it under light to confirm it’s a refractor (you’ll see rainbow shine). Because Chrome cards are prone to surface scratches, it’s worth looking closely before grading, even small marks can drag a grade down.

2022 Donruss Super Bowl Downtown Tom Brady case-hit inserts

Modern “Downtown” inserts are some of the hottest case hits in football, and the 2022 Donruss Super Bowl Downtown Tom Brady #SBD-TB is a standout. It mixes cartoon-style artwork with Super Bowl imagery from his Buccaneers win, and collectors love how loud and detailed it looks.

Recent sales show raw copies selling around $1,400, while PSA 10 examples have reached the mid-$3,000 range. Even lower grades and ungraded copies usually sit solidly in the high hundreds.

These don’t look like old-school cards at all, more like a mini poster. Look for the Super Bowl logo and “Downtown” styling on the front. If you pull or find one, avoid stacking it with other shiny cards to prevent surface scratches, and get it into a semi-rigid holder right away.

2022 Donruss Optic Super Bowl Downtown Tom Brady and Black Pandora parallel

Donruss Optic took the same concept and gave it the chrome treatment. The 2022 Optic Super Bowl Downtown Tom Brady #SBD-TB combines the Downtown art with Optic’s glossy finish, plus a rainbow of parallels. For serious collectors, the limited Black Pandora /25 versions are especially desirable.

Price guides and recorded sales show raw Super Bowl Downtown copies selling for several thousand dollars at the high end, with one raw sale tracked at $5,000 . A PSA 9 standard copy has sold just under the $900 mark.

If you’re digging through a modern box, check serial numbers and the pattern behind Brady. The Black Pandora parallel has a distinctive black-and-silver square pattern and is numbered out of 25. Any version should go straight into a magnetic one-touch or graded slab, not a loose deck box.

2023 Optic Super Bowl Downtown Patrick Mahomes inserts

Patrick Mahomes has his own Optic Super Bowl Downtown card in 2023, showing him surrounded by Chiefs and Super Bowl imagery. It’s a short-print insert that only pops out of certain hobby products, which keeps supply tight while demand for Mahomes stays high.

Recent sales show raw copies landing around $1,000–$1,300, with PSA 10 graded examples selling between roughly $1,700 and $2,100. Considering it’s not numbered, that’s a strong price driven mainly by scarcity and player popularity.

Card shows like to keep these in showcase cases near the register. In a collection, look for “Super Bowl Downtown” and Mahomes in a stylized cartoon city scene. As with all Optic shine, keep fingerprints off the surface and don’t try to “clean” it with anything abrasive, a soft, dry microfiber cloth is as far as you should go.

2021 Mosaic Super Bowl MVPs Tom Brady Gold Mosaic /10

Panini Mosaic’s Super Bowl MVPs inserts highlight Brady’s multiple championship runs, and the Gold Mosaic /10 parallel is one of the most chased. Card #281 shows him in a Buccaneers uniform with a Super Bowl MVP background, and the gold parallel has a bright, reflective finish.

Sales records show Gold and No Huddle Gold versions out of 10 selling from around $600 up over $1,200 in top grades, including a PSA 10 No Huddle Gold that sold for $1,237.12 and other gold parallels in the $325–$600+ range.

These are serial numbered on the back, so check for “/10” next to the card number. Centering is often an issue with Mosaic, and print lines are common. If you have a clean copy, paying for grading can be worth it because the price jump from raw to PSA 10 can be huge on such a low-print card.

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2021 Mosaic Super Bowl MVPs Tom Brady Green Swirl /11 FOTL

Another short-print from the same run is the 2021 Mosaic Green Swirl Tom Brady Super Bowl MVPs #285, a first-off-the-line (FOTL) parallel numbered to only 11. The design mixes green swirl patterns with the Super Bowl MVP layout, and it’s one of the tougher Brady parallels to track down.

Recent sales include PSA 10 examples selling between about $525 and $661, with ungraded Green Swirl copies changing hands around $800–$850. Those numbers put it comfortably in the mid- to high-hundreds even outside of perfect condition.

The serial number “/11” on the back is key. The swirl pattern is more intense than regular Mosaic, so compare it side-by-side with a base Super Bowl MVPs card if you’re unsure. Because FOTL cards can bow slightly, store it in a graded slab or top loader with a fitted team bag to keep dust and moisture out.

2022 Mosaic Super Bowl MVPs Tom Brady Genesis SSP

Genesis parallels in Mosaic are unnumbered but extremely short-printed, with a swirling, dark marble-style pattern. The 2022 Mosaic Super Bowl MVPs Tom Brady Genesis #291 focuses on his Buccaneers Super Bowl LV win, and it’s one of those cards that feels special the moment you see it.

Recent raw sales show this Genesis card selling between about $85 and $125, with higher prices for especially clean copies and graded examples selling for more. That’s a strong return for a parallel that doesn’t even have a serial number printed on it.

Genesis cards are instantly recognizable once you’ve seen one, the background looks like a storm cloud with teal and purple veins. If you pull one, keep it out of deck boxes and binder pages. Put it straight into a penny sleeve and semi-rigid holder and consider grading if the surface is clean and corners look sharp.

2005 Topps Heritage Flashback Relics Super Bowl XXXVI MVP Tom Brady

Topps revisited Brady’s first championship a few years later with the 2005 Topps Heritage Flashback Relics Super Bowl XXXVI MVP Tom Brady #FTB. This card features a piece of game-used pylon or goal post from that Super Bowl, styled in a retro Topps Heritage design that feels like an old card even though it’s modern.

Graded examples can be surprisingly valuable. A PSA 8 copy has been offered around the mid-hundreds, and auction records show this card estimated and sold in the $200–$400 range depending on grade and eye appeal . Autographed versions and special authenticated copies can go even higher.

This card usually shows Brady and the Louisiana Superdome, with a square relic window. Check that the relic isn’t loose under the surface or heavily discolored. Because this is a thicker card, store it in a magnetic one-touch or an appropriately sized graded sleeve to keep the corners from flaring over time.

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