A newly discovered 1909 Sweet Caporal T206 Honus Wagner card, preserved by the same family for more than a century after being pulled from a tobacco pack, sold at Goldin Auctions for $5.124 million, including buyer’s fees. This makes it the third-highest price ever for a T206 Wagner, following the $6.606 million sale in August 2021 and a private $7.25 million sale in August 2022.
This card received a grade of 1 from Professional Sports Authenticator (PSA), while the two pricier examples were graded by Sportscard Guaranty Corporation (SGC) at 3 and 2, respectively.
“We are honored that the Shields family chose us to represent this historic card that has been in their family for 116 years,” said Ken Goldin, CEO and founder of Goldin Auctions.
The card belonged to Douglas and Dennis Shields. Their grandfather, Morton Bernstein—the son of The National Silver Company founder—collected trading cards in the early 1900s. After purchasing the F.B. Rogers Silver Company in 1955, Bernstein displayed his collection in his businesses. When the National Silver Company closed, the cards were stored in a warehouse before eventually passing to Douglas and Dennis Shields.
Goldin revealed the card in December, a story highlighted in Season 3 of Netflix’s “King of Collectibles: The Goldin Touch.”
“The Shields family shared that they are thrilled with the sale, and we hope the new owner treasures it as much as they did. The T206 Honus Wagner remains the Mona Lisa of sports cards,” Goldin added.
The T206 Wagner is one of the most iconic sports cards due to its rarity. Pittsburgh Pirates shortstop Wagner requested the card be pulled from production in 1909. Theories for its scarcity include a printing error, Wagner’s supposed objection to promoting tobacco to children, or his concern over the use of his likeness without proper compensation.
Wagner cards continue to attract attention: an SGC Authentic example (graded below 1) is currently bidding at $2.318 million with six days remaining at Heritage Auction.
