Best Patrick Mahomes Rookie Cards to Invest In & Why

There's no doubt that Patrick Mahomes is one of the most exciting young quarterbacks in the NFL, having already been rated in the top 20 super bowl quarterbacks of all time. The Kansas City Chiefs drafted him with the tenth overall pick in the 2017 draft, and he has already started to make a name for himself. Mahomes is known for his strong arm and ability to make plays with both his arms and feet.

If you're a fan of the Chiefs or football in general, or if you're looking for a good investment, chances are, Mahomes' rookie cards are worth checking out. This article will look at why Mahomes' rookie cards are so popular and valuable and some of the best ones to watch.

Why Are Patrick Mahomes Rookie Cards so popular and valuable?

So why are Patrick Mahomes rookie cards so popular and valuable? There are a few reasons.

First of all, Mahomes is already one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL. During the 2018 season, his first as a starter, he threw for 50 touchdown passes and over 5000 yards, making him the second player in NFL history to reach those milestones. He became the NFL MVP and led the Chiefs to the AFC Championship game. The year after that, he won the Super Bowl. Needless to say, Mahomes is a talented player and likely to have a bright future.

Second, Mahomes' cards are popular because there aren't many out there. Since he was drafted in 2017 — just a few years ago — his cards are relatively scarce, which drives up the price.

Third, Mahomes is still very young. At the time of this writing, he's only 26 years old and has a lot of football left to play, and there's a good chance he'll continue to put up big numbers. If he does, his cards will only become more popular and valuable.

Finally, Mahomes is already considered one of the faces of the NFL. He's appeared on magazine covers, been featured in national commercials, and even had a cereal named after him. This means collectors of all ages and sports are aware of him and his cards, which is always good for business.

NFL card market

The core sports card market, made up of baseball, basketball, and football cards, has seen a resurgence in recent years.

In 2021, it was valued at $7.8 billion, which is expected to grow to $20.4 billion by 2030.

In addition, the NFL is the most popular professional sports league in the U.S., which means that football cards make up a large portion of this market. Many investors see this as a positive indicator, since popularity can be used as an indicator of future demand.

Investment Potential

In the world of sports cards, a few things need to be considered to determine whether a player's cards are a good investment. These include:

• The player's talent and potential: Is the player good enough to stick around in the league and make an impact? If the player is new and unproven, investing early could pay off big time if they turn out to be the real deal.
• The player's marketability: Is the player famous enough that people will want his cards? Sometimes players gain popularity not for their talent on the field but for their personality off it. If your player is marketable, his cards will hold their value or increase over time.
• The player's position: Certain positions are more popular than others, so their cards are worth more. For example, quarterbacks are always in high demand, so investing in a quarterback's rookie cards is usually a safe bet.
• The scarcity of the cards: The rarer a card is, the more valuable it is. If a player's rookie cards are highly sought-after, you can be sure their value will only increase over time.
• The age of the player: Younger players tend to be more popular than older players, so their cards are usually worth more. People always look for the next big thing and want to get in on the ground floor with young players. However, players close to retirement can also be a good investment as their cards will become more collectible as they approach the end of their careers.
• The popularity of the sport: If the sport the player competes in is popular, that will usually translate to his cards being more valuable. This is because more people will be interested in collecting the cards for a popular sport.
• Your investment strategy: Are you looking to invest for the long or short term? If you're investing for the long term, you'll want to look for players with a lot of potential just starting in their careers. If you're investing for the short term, you'll want to look for already established and popular players.

Some of the best Patrick Mahomes Rookie Cards to look out for

Now that we've covered some of the things to consider when investing in football cards, let's look at some of the best Patrick Mahomes rookie cards to invest in.

2017 Panini Plates & Patches ($3,499)

The Panini Plates & Patches is a high-end, limited edition product that includes some of the best patch cards in the hobby. The Patrick Mahomes card was limited to just 50 copies and features a large patch of his Chiefs jersey. Though Plates & Patches is a new product and may not have the same long-term value as some other products on this list, it is still a valuable card due to its limited edition status.

2016 Panini Select XRC ($6,187)

The first Patrick Mahomes rookie card originates from the 2016 Select football hobby boxes. Panini Select is a high-end football product released annually. The Patrick Mahomes rookie card is considered the key card in the set and features him in his red Kansas City Chiefs uniform. As one of the earliest Patrick Mahomes cards on the market, it is also one of the most valuable.

2017 Panini Prizm ($6,665)

The Patrick Mahomes rookie card in the 2017 Panini Prizm set is considered one of the best cards of his entire rookie class. Silver Prizm cards differ from base Prizm cards because they have an italicized PRIZM on the back and are much harder to find. It is also a refractor, which means it has a holographic sheen. The Patrick Mahomes rookie card is scarce and valuable due to its limited print run and high-end design.

2017 Panini Spectra ($12,575)

This is one of the most expensive Patrick Mahomes rookie cards on the market, and it's not even close to the top price. The 2017 Panini Spectra is a beautiful piece of memorabilia, and it's clear why collectors are willing to pay top dollar for it.

The 2017 Panini Spectra is a limited edition rookie card, and Patrick Mahomes autographed it. If Patrick Mahomes continues on his path to become an all-time great, this card could become a favorite among collectors for its relatively affordable price compared to the ultra-rare cards.

2017 Panini Contenders Rookie Ticket ($15,600)

This is another high-end, limited edition Patrick Mahomes rookie card. Panini releases the Contenders set and features some of the best NFL rookies of the year. The rookie card includes an autograph from Patrick Mahomes and seat ticket info.

2017 Panini Flawless Patrick Mahomes RA-PM RC Auto - Ruby ($29,877)

With just 15 copies, the 2017 Panini Flawless Patrick Mahomes rookie card is one of this list's rarest and most valuable cards. The card features a ruby in the middle with Mahomes' autograph across it. The red color also matches Mahomes' Chiefs uniform, making it even more visually appealing.

2018 Panini Select Signature Memorabilia Prizm - Black Parallel ($48,625)

The 2018 Panini Select Signature Memorabilia Prizm is a one-of-one card and features an image of Mahomes mid-stride scanning the field for an open receiver. Though this card doesn't have any autograph or jersey pieces, it is considered one of the best Patrick Mahomes cards due to its limited edition status and unique design. This is the perfect Patrick Mahomes card for collectors looking to purchase in the five-figure range.

2017 National Treasure Patrick Mahomes Rookie Card ($4,300,000)

This is the most expensive Patrick Mahomes rookie card on the market and one of the rarest. With a patch and an autograph, this card is truly a treasure. The sale of this card set the record for the most expensive football card ever sold. The second highest price ever paid for a football card was for a Tom Brady rookie card, which sold for $3,107,372.

Where can I purchase Patrick Mahomes Rookie Cards?

Now that you know some of the best Patrick Mahomes rookie cards to invest in, you're probably wondering where you can purchase them. The best place to buy football cards is online through a reputable dealer. When purchasing online, do your research and only purchase from a dealer you trust.

Some of the best places to purchase Patrick Mahomes rookie cards are:

• Pristine Auction
• eBay
• Goldin Auctions

How are Patrick Mahomes Rookie Cards graded?

The condition of a card is critical in determining its value. Certification companies like Certified Collectibles Group (CCG) are responsible for grading cards based on their condition. Cards that CCG grades are encased in a hard plastic case and come with a certificate of authenticity.

The condition of a card determines its grade, and it's given a numerical score from one to ten, with ten being the highest. The higher the score, the more valuable the card is. Several factors determine condition, including:

• The overall appearance of the card
• Any wear and tear on the card
• The centering of the image on the card
• The sharpness of the corners
• The quality of the printing

Patrick Mahomes rookie cards that CCG has graded sell for much higher prices than those that have not been graded. Serious collectors should only purchase cards that a reputable certification company has professionally graded. By doing so, you can be sure you're paying a fair price for a card in excellent condition. Graded and sealed cards also come with a certificate of authenticity, which adds to their value and is easy to verify. For resellers, this is an essential factor to consider when selling cards.

Conclusion

When it comes to investing in football cards, there are many things to consider. However, if you're looking for the best Patrick Mahomes rookie cards to invest in, the list above is a great place to start. With so many different products on the market, it can be challenging to know which ones are worth your money. However, by researching and knowing what to look for, you can ensure that you're investing in a product that will only increase in value over time. Happy collecting!