Top 100 Iconic Trading Cards Ranked by PWCC

November 30, 2022 Patrick London

What are the greatest trading cards of all time? It’s an almost impossible list to create, but PWCC (Pre-War Card Collector) asked 150 collectors, investors, dealers, and industry experts what they thought would make a list of the top 100 cards of all time.

The cards are listed below, but we highly suggest clicking here to visit the PWCC site to view the ranking with pictures and video commentary on each card.

You can check out our guide to Topps Non-Sport Trading Cards by clicking here.

You can check out our guide to Topps World on Wheels trading cards by clicking here.

Of course, you can shop for any of these cards at eBay, by clicking the banner below.

The Iconic 100

Honorable Mention: 1935 National Chicle Football Bronko Nagurski

100. 1948 Leaf Ted Williams

99. 1985 Topps Mark McGwire

98. 2013 Prizm Giannis Antetokounmpo

97. 1969 Topps Reggie Jackson

96. 1982 Wrestling All Stars Hulk Hogan

95. 1998 Contenders Peyton Manning

94. 1985 Garbage Pail Kids Adam Bomb

93. 1970 Topps Pete Maravich

92. 1993 Finest Michael Jordan

91. 1989 Fleer Billy Ripken FF Error – This legendary card included an “F-Bomb” written on the knob of Ripken’s bat, which Fleer didn’t catch initially. Several different “corrected” versions were issued.

90. 1993 Ultra Scoring Kings Michael Jordan

89. 1985 O-Pee-Chee Mario Lemieux – The “Canadian” version of the hockey legend’s rookie card.

88. 1992 Stadium Club “Beam Team” Shaquille O’Neal

87. 1990 Topps “No Name” Frank Thomas – An error left the name of the Hall of Famer off of the front of his iconic Topps rookie card. It ws quickly corrected, making this error card quite rare.

86. 1996 SI For Kids Tiger Woods

85. 1996 EX Kobe Bryant

84. 1977 Topps Star Wars Luke Skywalker

83. 2002 Panini Mega Craques Cristiano Ronaldo

82. 2013 National Treasures Giannis Antetokounmpo

81. 1986 Topps Barry Bonds

80. 1951 Parkhurst Gordie Howe

79. 1990 Score Bo Jackson

78. 2017 National Treasures Patrick Mahomes Rookie Patch Autograph

77. 2018 National Treasures Luka Doncic Rookie Patch Autograph

76. 1989 Hoops David Robinson

75. 2008 Topps Kobe Bryant

74. 1998 Skybox Fusion Titanium Michael Jordan

73. 1997 EX Credentials Michael Jordan

72. 1914 Baltimore News Babe Ruth

71. 1914 Cracker Jack Ty Cobb

70. 1938 Goudey Joe DiMaggio

69. 1984 Topps Dan Marino

68. 1993 Magic The Gathering Alpha Black Lotus

67. 1955 Topps Sandy Koufax

66. 1948 Leaf Satchel Paige

65. 1984 Topps John Elway

64. 1960 Hemmets Journal Cassius Clay (Muhammad Ali)

63. 1954 Topps Ernie Banks

62. 2003 Exquisite Limited Logos Michael Jordan

61. 2003 Ultimate Collection LeBron James

60. 2000 SP Authentic Tom Brady

59. 1992 Upper Deck Shaquille O’Neal

58. 1997 Metal Universe Championship Michael Jordan

57. 1933 Goudey Lou Gehrig

56. 2018 Prizm Luka Doncic

55. 1961 Fleer Oscar Robinson

54. 1914 Cracker Jack Joe Jackson

53. 1989 Score Barry Sanders

52. 1958 Alifabolaget Pele

51. 2001 SP Authentic Tiger Woods – This is the autographed version of his rookie card, randomly inserted into packs of cards.

50. 2001 Upper Deck Tiger Woods

49. 1916 Sporting News Babe Ruth

48. 1961 Fleer Jerry West

47. 1980 Topps Rickey Henderson

46. 1966 Topps Bobby Orr

45. 2011 Topps Update Mike Trout

44. 2004 Mega Cracks Messi

43. 1968 Topps Nolan Ryan

42. 2009 Topps Stephen Curry – This also includes the Chrome and Refractor variants.

41. T206 Ty Cobb

40. 2009 Bowman Chrome Mike Trout – This first card of the baseball superstar comes in a standard chrome card, autographed, and multiple refractor versions.

39. 1997 EX-2001 Jambalaya Michael Jordan

38. 1986 Fleer Sticker Michael Jordan

37. 1953 Topps Mickey Mantle

36. 1955 Topps Roberto Clemente – His classic rookie card.

35. 1997 Metal Universe Kobe Bryant

34. 1965 Topps Joe Namath

33. 1972 Topps Julius Irving

32. 2000 Bowman Chrome Tom Brady

31. 1952 Topps Willie Mays

30. 2003 Topps Chrome LeBron James

29. 1951 Bowman Willie Mays

28. 1948 Bowman George Mikan

27. 1976 Topps Walter Payton

26. 2009 National Treasures Steph Curry – This Playoff rookie patch autographed card (RPA) is THE card to get for the iconic player.

25. 1986 Topps Jerry Rice

24. 1952 Topps Jackie Robinson

23. 1997 Upper Deck Jersey Auto Michael Jordan

22. 1984 Star Michael Jordan

21. 1993 SP Foil Derek Jeter

20. 1958 Topps Jim Brown

19. 1999 Pokemon 1st Edition Shadowless Charizard

18. 1981 Topps Joe Montana

17. 1957 Topps Bill Russell

16. 1969 Topps Lew Alcindor

15. 1996 Topps Chrome Kobe Bryant

14. 1951 Bowman Mickey Mantle

13. 1954 Topps Hank Aaron

12. 1961 Fleer Wilt Chameberlain

11. 1997 Metal Universe Michael Jordan

10. 1948 Leaf Jackie Robinson

9. 1989 Upper Deck Ken Griffey Jr.

8. 1980 Topps Larry Bird, Julius Erving, Magic Johnson

7. 1979 Topps/O-Pee-Chee Wayne Gretzky – Both the American (Topps) and Canadian (O-Pee-Chee) versions of the hockey legend’s rookie are sought after.

6. 2000 Playoff Contenders Tom Brady

5. 2003 Exquisite Collection LeBron James – This Rookie Patch Autograph (RPA) is numbered to 99.

4. 1933 Goudey Babe Ruth – This includes all four variations of the legend’s card: Portrait (Green background), Batting (Yellow background), Batting (Red background), Full figure pose.