It is one of only ten in existence

Patrick Mahomes‘ immense popularity has reached new heights, as demonstrated by the recent auction of his rare rookie card, which fetched an incredible $173,000. The card’s significant value is attributed to its rarity and exceptional features. It is one of only ten in existence, includes a patch from one of Mahomes‘ jerseys, and boasts a near-perfect grade of 9, with the autograph scoring a 10.

TMZ Sports reported that the Kansas City Chiefs quarterback’s card was put up for auction by Goldin in mid-June, and the final bid was placed last week.

Given Mahomes‘ continued success and the card’s unique qualities, experts believe its value could increase even further in the future.

An iconic card

Goldin Auctions, a leader in high-end sports memorabilia, described the card as “quite simply, the most iconic NFL rookie card ever produced by Panini” during the sale. The combination of Mahomes’ rising legacy and the card’s exceptional condition made it a hot item among collectors.

“Mahomes is one of those players that only comes around every decade or so,” Goldin CEO Ken Goldin noted.

“He’s on track to pass Tom Brady‘s seemingly untouchable Super Bowl record and that has really impacted the interest of his cards from both new and longtime collectors.

“Mahomes has inspired a whole new generation of football collectors who are deeply passionate about the hobby. Earlier this year, we saw the most expensive Mahomes jersey ever sold at Goldin and we expect his items to continue to drive interest if he continues at this pace.”