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In 1998, Beckett published a list of the 20 most expensive Barry Sanders football cards. I thought it would be fun to see how that list stacks up to the current values in 2025. Thanks to @JunkWaxHeroes with the assist with the original Beckett list!
I used Card Ladder for many of the images and estimated prices.
Disclaimer: I recognize the comparisons aren’t perfect. For instance, all the 1998 prices were for raw cards. The 2025 comparison has a mix of raw and graded, but I tried to get as close as I could to compare similar copies when possible. In my opinion, the overall view is still directionally accurate. There are however a few examples where the raw copies have dropped in value but the the graded copies show an increase.
The List
1996 Select Certified Mirror Red Premium Stock
Select Certified Mirror Red Premium Stock #33
1998 Rank: #1 ($1,200)
2025 Rank: #3 ($17,700 PSA10)
1996 SPx Force Auto
1997 Playoff Contenders Leather Helmets Red #4
1997 Playoff Contenders Leather Helmets Red #4
1998 Rank: #3 ($960)
2025 Rank: #8 ($1,202 PSA9)
1997 Select Certified Platinum Gold
1997 Totally Certified Platinum Gold
1998 Rank: #4 ($800)
2025 Rank: #4 ($6,086 BGS 9.5)
1997 Playoff Contenders Red
1997 SPx ProMotion Auto
1997 Finest Embossed Refractor #165
1997 Metal Universe PMG Red
1997 PMG Green
1998 Rank: #8 ($560)
2025 Rank: #1 ($54,000 for Red PSA9, the green would be way higher)
1997 Playoff Absolute Reflex #88
1996 Upper Deck Game Jersey Relic
1997 Donruss Preferred Precious Metals #8
1997 Donruss Preferred Precious Metals #8
1998 Rank: #11 ($400)
2025 Rank #10 ($1,077 PSA9)
1997 Pacific Dynagon Career Holographic Colors Purple #4
1997 Pacific Dynagon Career Holographic Colors Purple #4
1998 Rank: #12 ($400)
2025 Rank: #14 ($390)
1996 Playoff Contenders Leather Accents #20
1996 Playoff Contenders Leather Accents #20 Teal
1998 Rank: #13 ($350)
2025 Rank: #18 ($245)
1997 Topps Gallery Peter Max Serigraphs Autographs
1997 Topps Gallery Peter Max Serigraphs Autographs
1998 Rank: #14 ($320)
2025 Rank: #9 ($1,146 PSA9)
1997 Flair Showcase Legacy Collection #20
1997 Flair Showcase Legacy Collection #20
1998 Rank: #15 ($300)
2025 Rank: #9 ($1,146 PSA9)
1997 Skybox Premium Rubies
1997 Black Diamond Gold #152
1996 Finest Gold Refractor #G140
1997 Playoff First and Ten Hot Pursuit #88
1997 Upper Deck Black Diamond Title Quest #9
1998 Rank: #20 ($250)
2025 Rank: #13 ($885)