12 Collectible Trading Cards You Might Still Have That Could Make You Rich

That old box of trading cards in your attic might be worth a fortune—if you kept the right ones.

Sophia Zapanta
March 10, 2025
5 min read

12 Collectible Trading Cards You Might Still Have That Could Make You Rich — Erik Mclean on Pexels

Some collectible trading cards have skyrocketed in value, turning childhood nostalgia into serious cash. Whether it’s rare misprints, limited editions, or cards tied to pop culture legends, a few lucky finds could make you rich. Here are 12 trading cards you might still have that could be worth a small fortune today.

1. Pokémon 1st Edition Holographic Charizard (1999)

Romer Jed Medina on Wikimedia Commons

This card was every kid’s dream and is now every collector’s goldmine. A mint condition 1st Edition Charizard can sell for hundreds of thousands of dollars, especially if it has a high PSA grade. Thanks to its rarity, legendary artwork, and insane demand, it remains one of the most sought-after Pokémon cards ever. If you still have one tucked away, it might be time for a professional appraisal.

2. Magic: The Gathering Black Lotus (Alpha Set, 1993)

Kyle Gese on Wikimedia Commons

The holy grail of Magic: The Gathering cards, the Black Lotus, is infamous for its game-breaking power and extreme rarity. The Alpha edition, with only 1,100 copies ever printed, has sold for over $500,000 in pristine condition. Even well-played versions can fetch tens of thousands. If you ever played MTG in the ‘90s and forgot about your deck, you might be sitting on a treasure.

3. Yu-Gi-Oh! Tournament Black Luster Soldier (1999)

Timothy Tsui on Wikimedia Commons

Given only to winners of the first-ever Yu-Gi-Oh! tournament, this ultra-rare card is one of the most expensive in the game’s history. With only a handful in existence, some have sold for upwards of $2 million. Most collectors can only dream of owning one, but if you somehow have one, congratulations—you won the lottery. Just don’t let it near a duel disk.

4. 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle Rookie Card

Bowman on Wikimedia Commons

This is the holy grail of baseball cards, and its value keeps soaring. A near-mint version recently sold for over $12 million, making it one of the most expensive trading cards ever. Since Topps dumped many of these into the ocean back in the day, surviving copies are incredibly rare. If you find one in your grandpa’s collection, handle it like it’s made of gold—because it basically is.

5. 1986-87 Fleer Michael Jordan Rookie Card

D. Myles Cullen on Wikimedia Commons

The GOAT of basketball has the GOAT of rookie cards. This Fleer card from Jordan’s first NBA season has become an iconic collector’s item, with PSA 10 versions selling for over $700,000. Even slightly lower-graded copies still go for tens of thousands. If you have one, you’re holding a piece of sports history—and possibly a down payment on a house.

6. 1993 SP Foil Derek Jeter Rookie Card

Keith Allison on Wikimedia Commons

Derek Jeter’s most valuable rookie card is infamous for being ridiculously hard to find in mint condition due to its delicate foil design. High-grade versions can sell for over $100,000, while even lightly played copies still fetch solid cash. It’s one of the most coveted baseball cards of the modern era. If yours survived without scratches, consider yourself lucky (and rich).

7. 1979 O-Pee-Chee Wayne Gretzky Rookie Card

Hakandahlstrom on Wikimedia Commons

The Great One’s rookie card is just as legendary as his career. The O-Pee-Chee version (the Canadian printing) is worth far more than its Topps counterpart, with pristine copies selling for over $3 million. Due to print defects and rough edges, finding a high-grade one is tough, which only increases its value. If you have this, you’re holding a true piece of hockey history.

8. 1962 Mars Attacks #1 “The Invasion Begins”

km2bp on Wikimedia Commons

This sci-fi trading card set from the ‘60s became a cult favorite, and the first card in the series is the rarest of them all. A high-grade copy can sell for thousands, thanks to its gruesome artwork and limited surviving numbers. The controversial nature of the series even led to it being banned, making the cards even more desirable. If your parents didn’t throw yours away, you might be in luck.

9. 2000 Playoff Contenders Tom Brady Autograph Rookie Card

Alexander Jonesi on Wikimedia Commons

Tom Brady’s rookie card isn’t just valuable—it’s a record-breaker. Autographed versions from this set have sold for over $3 million, making it one of the most expensive football cards ever. Even non-autographed versions are worth serious money. If you’ve got one, it’s basically the football card equivalent of winning seven Super Bowls.

10. 1999 Pokémon Illustrator Card

Matic Zupan on Pexels

Considered the rarest Pokémon card ever, this was only awarded to winners of a Japanese art contest in 1997-1998. With only a few in existence, one recently sold for over $5 million. It’s the ultimate Pokémon collector’s prize, outvaluing even Charizard. If you somehow own one, you’re sitting on a Pikachu-powered gold mine.

11. 1980 Topps Larry Bird / Magic Johnson Rookie Card

Cavic on Wikimedia Commons

This is the only card featuring two basketball legends on the same rookie card. Since Bird and Magic defined an entire era of basketball, demand for this card is off the charts. A high-grade version has sold for over $800,000. If yours survived without creases, you might be looking at a huge payday.

12. 1996 Kobe Bryant Topps Chrome Rookie Card

Sgt. Joseph A. Lee on Wikimedia Commons

After Kobe’s tragic passing, the value of his most iconic rookie card skyrocketed. The Topps Chrome version in pristine condition has sold for over $1,000,000. Even slightly worn copies still command thousands. It’s not just a valuable card—it’s a tribute to one of basketball’s greatest legends.